Much of this morning’s speculation will revolve, once again, about Mr. Ozil. This being the case I think we can gloss over that and discuss something else. No, not Brexit or a Wall or even the heat in Australia. Not even the worrying statement from Emery about our economy.
How about we cheer ourselves up in the knowledge that the squad is returning to good health with only Welbz and Holding on the long-term injured list. Emery can pick a solid defence – or as good as he can with the tools available, not that I wish to call Mustafi a tool, but if the cap fits …
My opinion:
The back 3 doesn’t work, one only has to look at our goals against to confirm this, so we have to go back to a more solid 4 and abandon the idea of FB’s as wing-backs, especially with AMN and the Wardrobe. The return of Hector and Nacho should add some backbone.
Some AA’ers doubt Belllerin’s defensive ability, you may be right, but IMO he is amongst our best players.
Quite why Mr. Emery abandoned the deep Xhaka/Terrier combo by sending the little chap further forward is a mystery. Against Spurs they were the key to our victory, surely he will operate the same system this afternoon?
Also, a return to playing one upfront. It appears great mates do not make a great striking partnership. It worked well when we could bring on PEA in the final 20 minutes, his pace terrifying tiring defenders. Why was this tactic abandoned?
Not sure if Mhiki is fit, but we need him back to provide something positive ahead of Bellerin, yet there is no space in the team for both Iwobi and Mhiki if Ozil plays, and Ozil MUST play.
What of Chelsea?. Their manager, David Wagner, is a strange but likeable chap who appears to be doing a very good job with a team depending upon the genius of Hazard allied to the tenacity of the marvelous Kante. The goalkeeper shows the difference between a €60m and a €25m signing, ugly bugger though, our boy is no oil painting but at least he looks human. The midget microphone, Willian always does well against us, hopefully he is crocked.
World Cup winner OG returns to his real home where he should get a rousing reception, thanking him for some unforgettable moments including this …
Look for OG’s pass early in the move
When I lived in London most of my friends were Chelsea or closet Spurs. We always beat them. Always. Who can forget Winterburn’s screamer at the Bridge? As GN5 showed yesterday, those days are well in the past.
Play like we did against West Ham and we will get hammered again, play like we did against Spurs and the points are ours.
Let it Be So
COYRRG
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks, BR.
Let’s stuff Wagner’s mob and lift the whole mood of the Club. Another spuds at home performance would be just the ticket.
Morning Raddy, another fine PM, thank you.
“Emery can pick a solid defence – or as good as he can with the tools available”
I think he has a serious problem with his “tools” as it’s quite obvious that we have a few loose screws.
Wagner is a very busy manager – he sure gets around!!
GN5 you beat me!
Many thanks BR for an uplifting post.
May the “tools” be slightly sharper than normal.
May Hector remember that when he gets behind a defence he often assists. May our centre backs be Kos and Sokratis. May Terrier return to central MF. May Aubang and Laca both score from an Ozil masterstroke, and may we win 2-1.
The Midget Microphone and, of course, the omnipresent Mr Wagner!! Love it all 🙂
Great read Erik, thanks
Chavs at home? Similar to Spuds at home. I expect a similar team/set up
ie against Spuds he went 3 at the back with just Auba up top: Leno Mustafi Sokratis Holding Kolasinac Bellerin Xhaka Torreira Iwobi Mkhitaryan Aubameyang
So today, I reckon Kos (fit?) in for Holding, and someone in for Mkhi if unfit, so who do I reckon mmm, would like Mesut but doubt it, so reckon he’ll go for Ramsey
thanks for another pre-game post BR
I’m all set, have the farmhouse full cream milk and double choc chip cookies for the 4:30am kick-off
good night & COYG!!!!!!
Is it hot there VP?
Thanks for the read BR, great stuff as ever.
Thanks Raddy, I have a good fereling about this game (based on notrhing at all)
Emery has shown what he wants from his players, its up to Ozil now. I can’t see any problem with Ozil exercising his brilliance in the attacking third as well as making an effort to be stronger in the tackle and playing his part defensively …. not doing so would be a conscious decision by him, not anything beyond him physically. Rightly or wrongly, it appears to be what the manager wants … so come on Mesut … make it look like you’re trying harder when we’re not in possession .. then everyone is happy.
Thank you, Raddy, thank you GN5, thank you all you good people. 🙂
Knot ear, but COYGs.
Spiffing Post, Big ‘Un. 😁
I find myself looking on the Arsenal games in a somewhat bemused manner.
It is difficult to understand what is happening at Arsenal at the ‘top end’.
Player contract management buggered up; money unavailable for the necessary quality purchases; and the promised use of the best youth team players noticeable by their absence.
So if we do well I am naturally delighted, but if we struggle I really cannot fault the players, as they always try, but some of them, thru no fault of their own, are just not top 4 quality and there is little to show that will attend to that [see above] with Mislintat, of all people, rumoured to be off soon, when we could do with his scouting prowess.
Kroenke et fils are just not footballing people, and with Gazidis also abandoning ship we look like a chicken without its head.
I agree with you RA, it has the look of a ship without a rudder, just drifting.
Guendouzi 20 apps this season
Ozil 13 apps
Only Xhaka with 21 is ahead of Curly. and IMO he is simply not good enough … yet.
Seems to me that Curly is getting the starts due to the lack of alternatives. Who on the bench can play that far back? No one really.
Afternoon fellow sofaistas
LB
Xhaka and Torreira are not enough?
And Wardrobe?
What formation we playing today?
A 50m striker should bury that chance PEA.
Good start BUT, surely with a midfield three of Granit, Terr and Guen he could have afforded the luxury of Mesut
That’s the finish of a €50m striker!!
Get in
Brilliantly steered shoulder from Kos. He does that every day in training
Well … we don’t look like a team lacking direction now …. this is the best hard-working display I’ve seen in years. But a long way to go … we need to keep it up right to the last whistle. Brilliant work so far though.
Kozzer playing like his old self ….
Emery got it right so far, and Ramsey marking his guy into an unplayable box.
Would have been nice to see that Auba shot go in. Oh my, memories of a Henry type goal that would have been.
Also like the way Leno is punching that ball to the stars, if head gets in there, it’s coming off, rock em sock em style.
Go Gunnars.
Gunners geez…..Am really into this game 10 thumbs and all…
I have to admit that we are fortunate to be two u but at last we performed in a first half. The Spurs spirit is back.
We need at least one more because our defence is sure to concede.
Wonderful pass from Sokratis for Kos’s bullet shoulder
I thought we could have been 3 up! …. the chavs have a problem, we’re looking very effective on the break and getting the ball forward quickly and I have to say Ramsey has been incredible, shame the negotiations went wrong. we will miss his energy.
Yip, agree with all the positivity
“fortunate to be two” Erik. Unlucky not to be four 🙂
Ok, 3 then Rasp 🙂
45 precious minutes left Micky to get our season back on track …..
Good to hear the crowd are playing their part ….
Bellerin looks in deep trouble. Knee knack.
That’s horrible to look at — and ironically it has been the best game for Belli this season.
Hope just a pull for Bell, but if he did his patella or acl, then darn! 2 backs done for year with injuries- no luck with this for the Arsenal.
Youth team call up or AMN or??
If Auba had not put his left and right boots on the wrong feet we should have put this to bed 4 or 5 – Nil
If it wasn’t for bad luck, we’d have no effing luck at all!
Totally agree with you by the way, Rasper, Kozzer looks like the CB of old.
He has been immense — hope he does not run out of steam.
Tor (pitbull) welcome to the EPL..
alonsobozo a dirty player, needs one to the sack!
Amazing energy from the team today …. top marks to Emery … perhaps people will stop doubting him now ….. we’ve beaten a top four side by wanting it more and working harder
That makes the weekend a lot better 😀
Fabulous result.
The first no-look header I’ve seen I think! What a goal by Lacazette btw. His touches before the strike were world class.
Great win.
No Mustafi and we get a clean sheet:-)
Everyone likes FGG comments, so I’ve removed the bigger one for tomorrow.
Hope that’s ok
Great result by a team that showed some real passion and desire to win.
All reports indicate that our problems are in the back room, it seems that the split responsibilities are causing serious issues. That may prove to be a tougher fix than team issues. If they don’t get their act together we could be in serious long term trouble.
p.s. I meant that fgg’s comment could be used in addition to LB’s euphoric match report not as a replacement. 🙂
Sorry, fgg.
Too good to waste on the just the 5 people looking at tonight’s comments. ☺
I think I only wrote two sentences, waiting for the second half to start.
Good win though.
Four good chances in first half apart from goals. A team pressing game of x3 energy compared to West Ham. Laca and Aubang doing their bit to add to energy of Terrier, Ouzi and Aaron. No Mustafi. Kos approaching his old self. Hector and Wardrobe effective. Crowd backing exciting.
And now……repeat please, Friday.
I can’t work out if Chelsea were bog standard or we made them look bog standard but either way, bog standard they were.
I like the new policy of winning the game in the first half, I could definitely get used to that.
The only shadow, of course, is that just when we started to look like we had a proper solid defence — Bellerin — who was so influential, gets crocked.
Chelsea wouldn’t be 4th if they were bog standard, but they are predictable. Jorginho and Hazard are vital to them and by stopping Jorginho you stop the supply into Hazard. Emery put a plan into place and it worked perfectly.
The frustrating thing is I fancy us against any team in the league at home, but we just don’t seem to be able to produce away. We will struggle to challenge for honours if we don’t figure that out.
I was referring to today, didn’t think that needed explaining but hey ho.
It didn’t LB!. We neutralized everything of note until they doubled up on A M-N and Terrier tired supporting him. 1 shot on target from them and if Fabinho is more effective than Fabregas ( or Kante for that matter) Mustafi is a quality defender!
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