This was the sixth of our preseason games. We fielded a mixed side comprising Leno, AMN, Chambers, Sokratis, Monreal, Willock, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, and Lacazette.
My initial thought was that I was glad to see Willock playing consistently in the first team and that we are moving away from the Mkhitaryan and Mesut combo. In reality, I suspect they were probably rested because of the attack earlier in the week. With Mkhitaryan seemingly playing on the left, I wondered who’s going to be playing the Mesut role?
First Half
There was a minute of applause for former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes who was taken from us way to soon, may he rest in peace.
One thing I have noticed is how quickly Arsenal have been starting games in the preseason, and this game was no exception. Monreal hasn’t looked up to it early in preseason, but today he was sharp, on one occasion bursting down the left flank and crossing but not finding an Arsenal shirt, and then on another being bundled over in penalty box. Sadly the ref wasn’t having any of it.
Lacazette was replaced early on by Nelson. He was seen later wearing a protective boot – let’s hope this was just for precaution. Aubameyang moved to central striker with Mkhitaryan now playing on the right. Willock looked really bright, collecting the ball from Guendouzi and smartly turning for a low shot into the keeper, and then soon after was involved in an attacking move in the penalty box. But he was eventually smothered by the amassed defenders.
Arsenal displayed some great interchanging football. The opening goal came when Mkhitaryan who crossed to Aubamyang who headed the ball home, making it 1 nil to The Arsenal. Lyon had an appeal for hand ball by Chambers turned down, I wondered when I saw it if this would have been given in the EPL this season. Willock was ever present and was our best player in the first half.
Second Half
The first change for the second half was Nketiah on for Guendouzi. With this, Aubameyang moved back out to the right, Mkhitaryan was now playing the link between midfield and attack which I think his best position, and with Eddie as striker.
The two sides were going at it second half with Lyon now creating more. Nketiah headed a ball over the bar, and then fluffed his lines again missing a cross from Nelson. Soon after that, Nketiah received a ball in the box and turned sharply but his shot was smothered by the keeper. The chant of Eddie, Eddie, Eddie rang round The Emirates, he really is a fans’ favourite.
Some poor defending by Maitland-Nyles failing to block a cross led to the equaliser from Dembele. Shortly after, AMN did make a great block on Dembele showing he can play with discipline. Arsenal thought they had restored their lead when Martinelli put the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled as offside. Soon after, we failed to operate the offside trap correctly and Dembele made it 1-2 for Lyon. Arsenal had a few more opportunities but couldn’t take their chances. Lyon were crowned 2019 Emirates Cup Champions – not a big deal, it’s always been a slightly embarrassing competition, but still, it’s better to win than lose.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s second loss in preseason was frustrating. We were in control in both games and yet ended up losing. It was another promising performance by the Arsenal youngsters. Nelson had a good industrious game, although he struggled to get through Lyon’s defense. Willock was amazing once again and Eddie did the hard work by getting into the goal scoring positions but then lacked the composure he had shown in earlier preseason games.
If only Arsenal could change how they defend. Good to see Chambers back and at least he put in a good defensive performance. There was one occasion when Sokratis brought down Dembele and was lucky not avoid a card. We’ve seen it many times before. Our defenders are too slow to play such a high line.
Ratings
Leno 7 – solid game but was left exposed for both goals
Maitland-Nyles 6 – needs to work on his defending
Sokratis 6 – solid today but still reckless when given the chance
Chambers 7 – was solid again nice to see him finally getting his chance
Monreal 6 – looked lively
Wiilock 9 – another great game and shouldn’t have been taken off … MOTM
Xhaka 5 – Can the crowd please stop telling him to shoot
Guendouzi 5 – Nice to see him back
Mkhitaryan 6 – great assist for the goal
Aubameyang 7 – took his chance well and caused trouble whole game
Lacazette 5 – let’s hope it nothing serious
Subs
Nketiah 7 – impressive as always, unlucky again not to score
Nelson 6 – I’m still waiting for him to impress me
fred1266
Arsenal News 24/7
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Nice one, Fred!
Let’s face it, losing this game isn’t the end of the world (it all counts on August 11!!) …we witnessed some great individual displays yesterday (unfortunately not from the ref! No change there then 😂)
We should have an eventful week.. games on Wed & Sun.. and hopefully more signings!!
Sue yesterday u said Nelson impressed you do all of you feel the same that he was that Good yesterday
I still find saka was way better during the pre season and the type of game am expecting from Nelson is something similar to Nketiah and willock
Agree with the ratings mostly. I d give Chambers a 6, Sok a 5 and Xhaka a 4.
Nice one, Fred, I think. 😁
You said – in the Ratings:
“Nelson 6 – I’m still waiting for him to impress me.
In the Report: you said:
” It was another promising performance by the Arsenal youngsters. Nelson had a good industrious game
Have you got a ghost writer? 😜
Thanks Fred, I was there but haven’t had the chance to review both our ruled out goal for offside and their 2nd goal to see if it wasn’t. At the time I had a sneeky suspicion that the officials had fluffed their lines.
Either way I am not too concerned about the end result as overall we were the better team and we could have easily been 5-1 up before their 2nd. Pre-season is about getting rid of rustiness and finding out more about your team both of which happened yesterday.
I have to say that I was not at all happy with the boos for Mustaffi. It has been apparent since well before the start of last season that he was not of the standard required for the level we are aiming for, so part of me is miffed that the club haven’t done anything about getting an upgrade and moving him on somewhere more his level both for our sake and his.
This situation has dragged on too long, to the detriment of the club, but also in exposing the player to the fans wrath, which is not nice. I think anyone pulling on the red and white should never be booed but thinking that will not happen is wishful thinking. As much as many of us don’t approve these fans are out there at every club and we can’t control it, so the club should have acted before now.
Just to add to the boos at the ground I saw something even more unsavoury outside of it. There is a route out of the ground car park that many of the players take that can often have them stationary temporarily at lights. Many of the fans know this and crowd the cars to get selfies with them.
When Mustaffi came down the road and was caught in that traffic at the lights some of those fans (using that word in the loosest possible sense) got highly aggressive and started to punch his car telling him to do one in a more colourful manner. The poor fellow was forced to illegally and dangerously overtake the front cars at the lights on the other side of the road and literally run the red light.
He needs to be at another club and we need an improvement but that was a sad experience for me about how some fans treat our players.
Boo-ing is puerile and should not be condoned – especially when players who wear the Red and White are concerned.
Gooner B — I understand your irritation with the club’s apparent inactivity at moving one or more players on, including Mustafa.
As I understand it (I occasionally pop into the Gunners shop for any gossip I can glean — which is usually not a lot! 🥺) it seems the Arsenal have tried to unload Mustafi, more than once, when AW was still the boss, but the players nowadays are all powerful, and he did not want to go, and the potential buying clubs would not pay the salary he was getting at Arsenal. (The two things are linked obviously).
So I am not sure Arsenal can be blamed — apart from buying him in the first place, and also paying him a princely salary that was not the going market rate — then, or even now.
I suppose that would make him partly culpable for what is unfolding RA. We have over-estimated him in terms of transfer fee and wages and are stuck with that which is our fault. It seems evrything has been over-estimated where he is concerned and he is the financial beneficiary of this situation.
At the same time, why should he give up the wages that we have been over generous in supplying him with relative to his footballing worth, just to go somewhere else because it suits us.
However, the fans recognise this situation and are unhappy that valuable finances (that most fans feel they contribute to from their own pockets whether you agree with that or not) are being somewhat wasted and that we haven’t moved on from this, so direct their frustrations at said player. We are not unique in this as a club and it isn’t the first time or will be the last time this happens.
Maybe some of it does come down to Mustaffi’s stance himself. He must recognise the situation, so does he prioritise the money but likely running the gauntlet with an increasing number of unhappy and hostile fans, or accept a more harmonious and happy, but likely less financially lucrative, environment more at his level?
Sorry RA, when I said “you”, the bit in brackets, I didn’t mean you personally and individually but you as in all of you. I hope that makes sense as I am not really sure what I just said 🙂
On the game itself Fred, I was impressed with all our youngsters by and large. Willock was more the stand out one in this game but all of Neslon, Nketieh and Willock impressed me. They all have limited first team exposure to date so I expect them to make mistakes to gain that experience and polish up their natural skills into something more productive.
Nketieh created good opportunities but couldn’t quite convert them and Nelson created some dangerous moments but was often let down by the final ball or decision. They are raw quality but all have enough to make it if they make that final developmental transition. We should be patient.
With regard to our central defence I felt more comfortable with Chambers, and perhaps felt he even looked more assured than Socratis, so maybe it could be Chambers and Holding that become a partnership once the latter has recovered from injury.
Having said that, if most are in agreement that Mustaffi shouldn’t enter the season as a main option, and it doesn’t feel like Kos has a way back into the first team, then we are short by 1 CD at least. Mavro has had too much disruption from injury and hasn’t had enough exposure to date so is not ready, and Medley is not ready yet either.
I don’t think we need a full on £75m VVD at this stage, but more just an assured experienced EPL option like Tarkowski or Dunk.
it is disgusting that people are aggresively targeting Mustafi. Booing is bad enough but attacking him whilst in his car is over and beyond pathetic.
We dont know the inner workings of the player tramsfer situation. For all we know Mustafi might want to leave but the club might want him to stay now that Kola is at wars. If he is not good enough to play than thats up to the coach to decide.
on other rumours, now its Semi Khedira about to join because he was at the emirates watching the cup.
I also read the Unai has said he plans to make 3 big signings of which a CB is one of them…
things are looking up for the upcoming season
COYG!
great post Fred
you’ve become quite the wordsmith since the early days of “in”
kola should read Kos
The area that actually concerned me most was the base of our midfield. I think as much as we talk about our CD, it is the porous lack of protection directly in front of the back line that is a major cause of concern with me. We certainly need to be looking at our central defence independently, but we need to consider that first line of defence, their screen, as well.
In our line up yesterday that chief responsibility should have fallen on Xhaka, but I watched carefully, and for me he was constantly positioning himself about 10m too far forwards leaving dangerous players on our goal side of him, when it probably should be the other way around.
He lacks pace so does not make up that ground if they gain possession, so the defence are massively exposed and caught between retreating towards goal or having one of them step out to try and cut off what the defensive midfield should for the most part be dealing with.
It is almost as if he doesn’t see it as his role and sees himself as more a creator, and that this responsibility should fall to others to pick up the mantle. Interestingly that was his role before he came to us and he was always paired with someone who covered behind him defensively more.
The problem here is that often more creative players than him end up holding a deeper position to cover for his wanderlust, and I saw that on a few times with Ceballos at times.
Also, the odd Hollywood ball or decent forward pass at times aside, Xhaka actually slows our game down to much and we lack forward momentum. I actually started to feel that I was watching a more shouty, face scowly, Denilson.
It wouldn’t surprise me that, like Denilson, Xhake has great stats for touches on the ball and number of passes and completion rate, but most of the time they are very reserved and safe and don’t make anything happen.
I noted that Ceballos drove us forward far more effectively when he got on the ball so he shouldn’t be covering defensively behind Xhaka. Neither should Torreira when he comes back who I also feel has more forward incisive play in him than Xhaka, and I still maintain that Iwobi could be an excellent forward thinking BTB player as well.
It all makes me wonder exactly what he specialises in and brings to us. He seems to not want to be the chief DM, so we are left still searching for that player, but in the role he seems to prefer for himself we have better options.
I kind of feel that Douzi is also a bit Xhaka like in that assessment at present as I have watched him more but at his age can develop in a couple of potential directions more so should stay with us, maybe not regular first team standard yet though. When those 2 play together I don’t feel we look that strong or balanced.
If we were to bring in a specialist holding midfielder (with what we seem to be about to spend elsewhere) we need to free up squad space, funds and wages. I just feel he is not quite right for us and we aren’t balanced in midfield with him. Again I feel he is probably a good CM at a slightly lower level.
GB,
I understood your use of the generic second person singular pronoun ‘you’ as being the informal non specific reference to a group.
There is never any need for you to apologise for unintended slights, as you are politeness personified, probably the result of your association with well brought up and eloquent camels! 😀
I agree that we re short a CB and DM.
I also believe that a RB, LB and a proper B2B wouldnt hurt us but the priority is CB and DM.
And, GB, I think your 12:28 is an excellent analysis, even tho I did not see the game.
You clearly explained what you had seen and related it to specific players and their attributes.
Thank you my boy! 😎
Info regarding salaries, GB, that I’m sure will interest you.
Arsenal player wages 2019/20
(Some wages are estimated, based on previous reports on their new contracts/extensions)
Emiliano Martinez – £20,000-a-week
Krystian Bielik – £25,000-a-week
Konstantinos Mavropanos – £25,000-a-week
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – £35,000-a-week
Matteo Guendouzi – £40,000-a-week
Rob Holding – £40,000-a-week
Calum Chambers – £50,000-a-week
Carl Jenkinson – £50,000-a-week
Mohamed Elneny – £55,000-a-week
Dani Ceballos – £60,000-a-week
Alex Iwobi – £70,000-a-week
Nacho Monreal – £70,000-a-week
Lucas Torreira – £75,000-a-week
Granit Xhaka – £90,000-a-week
Shkodran Mustafi – £90,000-a-week
Sokratis Papastathopoulos – £90,000-a-week
Bernd Leno – £90,000-a-week
Hector Bellerin – £100,000-a-week
Laurent Koscielny – £100,000-a-week
Nicolas Pepe – £105-a-week
Sead Kolasinac – £119,500-a-week
Alexandre Lacazette – £140,000-a-week
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – £180,000-a-week
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £180,000-a-week
Mesut Ozil – £350,000-a-week
Food for thought?? 😜
RA am still waiting for him to impress me overall he had an ok game today but his overall performance of our pre season he hasn’t impressed
Yeah Fred.. Nelson impressed me yesterday!
Further to your comment, GB… I have to say, I did cringe a little yesterday, when the boos rang out for Mustafi. And to read that he was abused at that same spot Xhaka was a little while back, is awful… yes they’re both not the greatest, but they’re still Arsenal players, they don’t deserve to be treated like that, especially by their own “fans”
How you can call yourself a supporter, after treating certain players like that, is beyond me! I understand their frustrations with them both, as I share them, to a certain extent.. but to do that… is disgusting!
I questioned what happened at an airport, when the team came back from an EL loss.. and they received loads of boos & abuse shouted at them, someone said to me they pay their hard earned wages to watch that crap, so what do you expect? I think there’s a fine line and targeting one of the players like that, has certainly crossed it… I actually feel sorry for Shkodran
Yea don’t have a problem with the boos but going hostile by banging his car is just insane and so true GB the club has made it reach to far
One think I can’t figure out how come he not improving is he to nervous
I think the club needs to make a statement and put Jenko, Mustafi, El Neny and Xhaka on the transfer list. We thank them for their contribution and wave them good bye. We could do the same with Ozil too
They don’t really add value to the team and they can be replaced by better players from within the team or recruits.
Am hoping Alves joins and that we make a move for a CB (Tarkowski, Duff or Ruben Dias could do) and a DM (Ndidi, Pulgar, Vidal, Naingollan) would be perfect.
Leno – Alves, Tarkowski, Holding, Kola – Ndidi, Vidal – Ceballos – Pepe, Auba – Laca
Martinez – Bello, Sok, Monreal, Tierney – AMN, Chambers, Torreira, Iwobi – RN, Nketiah
Illiev, Bielik, Guendouzi, Willock, Mlkhy, Saka in the squad too. It s 28 players but with a lot of youth and HG
Morning all. Great job with the match report Fred. I only saw the highlights but have a couple of takes. First, Eddie has had 4 golden chances in 2 games and missed them all. Not sure what to make of that. Second, AMN was definitely culpable on the first goal by making no real attempt to stop or pressure the cross. Memphis easily picked out Dembele. Additionally whether their 2nd goal was offside or not if anyone played him on, it was AMN. This is a simple and very basic defensive skill of holding a line and it looks like AMN was deeper than his central defenders which is a huge mistake, even in pre-season.
With that in mind, I wonder what the general feeling is on these pre season games. Let’s be honest, we can call for Mustafi and Xhaka’s heads or Jenko, who was probably our MOM against Madrid but what is UE really doing with this pre-season? If you want to figure out your squad, you could easily make the argument that Eddie, (along with Xhaka and Mustafi) isn’t good enough, maybe Nelson too (not my opinion but ??), Sok, AMN, Ozil and Miki haven’t exactly shown well either.
I think what bothers me is what I said a few weeks ago about the lack of a winning mentality that still seems to plague us. We should have stomped Madrid and by all accounts beaten Lyon yesterday fairly comfortably. But we still don’t seem to have that killer instinct. It’s still pretty football with fundamental errors leading to defeats.
I’m not sure what the real answer is but I will say I’m not particularly excited about the chances of winning our first few games at this point. I just see more of the same from last season.Having said that, Liverpool look quite crap, but they haven’t got Allison or their front three.
Not sure what anyone else thinks????
Pepe set for Arsenal medical, after fee agreed, is what Sky are saying!
Various media outlets have been discussing Pepe as if it’s a done deal …. my policy is … only believe it when the club announce it.
Hi Mike … one positive from the game …. Chambers
And I only believe it when the Rasper announces it.
All the rest are flaming Blog Owners or associates — can’t trust any of them.
Mmmm ….. when I say Blog Owners etc …… Sue made me say that!!! 😳
RA,
“GB, I understood your use of the generic second person singular pronoun ‘you’ as being the informal non specific reference to a group”.
yep, that’s what I meant to say 🙂
Mike, personally I see a difference between Mustaffi and Xhaka and Eddie, Nelson, Douzi, Willock and even AMN (arguably played out of position) due mainly to their respective ages but more crucially how much first team game time they have played.
It could easily be argued that there is much more to come from the latter 3 over the next 2-3 seasons and only when they are playing 30+ 1st games a season will we really know. They need leeway as they are only just embarking on the first team environment.
The former 2 have been regular 1st team mainstays for some time, so there is no leeway in their favour regarding development or experience. This is likely as good as it gets with them, so by this stage we really shouldn’t need to be questioning their ability and whether they are of the required level, which we are, so probably this tells us all we need to know.
Bearing in mind we probably can’t get every player we need this season as a permanent recruitment, should we look to further 1 year loans in addition to Ceballos to plug gaps?
For instance could we secure Rugani for 1 year till Saliba arrives next year, and we see whether Holding comes back to his pre-injury form (and also the likes of Chambers and Mavro can step up).
What about trying to get Matuidi for a 1 year loan as well for the defensive midfield? Could we get Alves on a cheap deal as well?
These questions mainly go out to RC78 🙂
Fred,
You keep away from the boos — unless it’s rum — Sue likes rum ……. and scotch …… and gin ……. and vodka —- all in the same glass!! 😂
RA.. don’t tell everyone I’m an alcoholic, I told you to keep that to yourself!! 😂😂 maybe that’s why I was drawn to this site (AA) hahaha!! Hic!!!
PeePee set to undergo medical on Wednesday – probably to let Napoli and PSG to have a last go to offer more.
Booo Boooo
Look – that was Susie Q setting me up again!!
Booo. 🤪
Oops, apologies to Sue and Pepe for auto correct errors — Sue thinks this is Alcoholics Anon — and Pepe is definitely not PeePee — that’s just for the medical.
Doh.
Gooner B, agree wholeheartedly. I think my question is how does UE see these players. I agree giving the young players game time is a good idea but he is playing Xhaka and Mustafi as well as the other 4 i mentioned too. Does that mean in his mind they’re staying to be part of the squad for next season? I’m not sure so that’s my question. I’ll say this too, however unpopular it might be, I’d take Mustafi’s effort and attitude (I really think he tries hard, he’s just not very good or smart) over Xhaka, Miki, Ozil any day. I still think he needs to go, but I’m really stuck on attitude and mentality with this team right now. Am I wrong? Are there any positives in mentality we can take from what we’ve seen so far?
RA.. 😂😂😂
@ Rasp. I think there have been some positives on the individual playing side for sure. Chambers is definitely one, Willock for certain and Auba and Laca both look sharp. However that’s never been our problem. We’ve always had good players. The question is can we win games?
IF we get Pepe and Tierney, is it finally time to put to bed this idea that the club don’t have money and are unwilling to spend?
Pepe £72m
Aubameyang £57m
Lacazette £53m
Özil £42m
Sanchez £35m
Mustafi £35m
Xhaka £34m
Saliba £27m
Torreira £26m
Tierney £25m
Leno £19m
Sokratis £18m
Perez £17m
Chambers £16m
Welbeck £16m
Debuchy £12m
Gabriel £11m
Cech £10m
A lot of these signings have been in the last 2 years and there hasn’t been huge amounts coming back into the club from sales (Ox £35m, Walcott £20m, Giroud £18m the major leavers), so imagine the sort of business the club would be capable of if they could a) get in the CL, and b) get the contracts right and make money on large sales. You only have to look at Liverpool’s business in the last couple of years to see just how much 2 or 3 really good windows can improve a teams chances. They made huge profits from Coutinho, Suarez and Sterling and investing really well in Alisson, Robertson, Fabinho, Keira, Mane, Salah, VVD etc.
I really like the profile of the players we are now going for (under 25 and with huge potential but not at big clubs) and it’s great to see that the contract terms we can offer compared to other clubs suddenly look favourable to players (loads of top sides reportedly after Saliba and Pepe).
This could all be premature of course, as Pepe and Tierney are not yet done, but there certainly looks to be some improvement in the way the club have handled this window and hopefully this will cement some of the trust that Kroenke Jr was asking the fans for in his recent response to THAT letter.
I’m actually excited 😆
Just out of interest.. if Pepe does go through.. and we will be paying in installments… how many players will we still be paying for & I wonder how much we’re shelling out?
Haha who’d have thought it, FGG – us going for under 25 year olds 😃 all joking aside, we do have a lot to be excited about!
GB please don’t compare Denison to xhaka
Pepe lol
Mike I think your main issue beside killer instinct is that we can’t score when a side plays deep
I wonder if when side play deep we should shop deep also making some more room in midfield
We mesut can flourish but I feel playing high when the other side is deep we play straight into there hands
Willock was also a positive rasp
Fred,
Thank you for the match review and ratings. They takes a lot of time to construct!
I thought Nelson played very well, and really made the other teams defenders work very hard to stay with him. He put 2 or more chances on a silver platter, but they went unfinished. Would have rated him 6.
Would have reversed Eddie’s score as he missed those chances 5.
Would have liked to see more of the youngsters, including Medley.
Really like AMN, but he was culpable for at least the cross, and maybe the offside error, but I think he was playing injured and will excuse him for it. He better be careful with that calf injury, those tears on no bueno, and could lead to an achilles rupture. Do not want to see him in the next 2 games. Rest the kid.
Mike,
Agree with you somewhat, but Eddie should be playing backup minutes for the 1st team, including if the Pepe deal gets done-not sure it will until I see it on the Arsenal page. If one of the superstars up top needs for load management.
Nothing can help Mustafi, Sok and Xhaka, (even worse when Mesut and Miki are on) when all 3 play at the same time. No pace at all, and the possibility of 3 brains freezing simultaneously.
I thought the team played better in the first half, even out of pressure when Chambers was in the center, as soon as I saw the changes at half it was inevitable that Lyon would score, and you can take that to the bank!
Apologize for the errors, word doc check from now on. ugh.
Lol
Any news on lacazette
He will be back, according to his own quote for the 1st game.
Everton bid 55m plus McCarthy & Tosun for Zaha…. will be astounded if Palace turn that down l
Sue,
Just £55m then? 😂
GoonerB – I d love to see Matuidi but he wants to stay at Juve this year so I doubt he will move unless the money is too good to refuse so that excludes us.
I think that Mavro has been approached by Pana for a loan. I d ragjer have him join another EPl team on loan. I think he should go out for loan and that Bielik should stay with us.
I also agree that Chambers performances were positive and he ll be good use to the squad.
Am a firm believer that having Mustafi and Xhaka on the pitch for us will continue to hamper our chances and will lead to goals and chances conceded. If I could sell only 2 players, they would be my top pick. I d rather give Bielik and Chambers a chance than to see Xhaka and Mustafi play for us again.
Brilliant, FGG!! 🤣👍
GoonerB
More high class, spot on analysis of Xhaka!
You analysis of his positional sense as a central midfielder is exactly mine. I believe he does not regard it as his responsibility either to hold a defensive position when we dont have the ball, or make a corrective run to pick up loose attacking players in dangerous forward positions. I believe in fact this the crux of our defensive frailty- ” the base of the midfield “. As most know, I dont even regard highly his so called spray passing ability as he is too slow in those passes and they are quite often cut out. Given his lack of pace too, argumentative, sometimes ridiculously, attitude to officials, one might guess I have little regard for him and believe any success in the Swiss team is largely due to the quality around him. Said, done, nothing more from me on Xhaka, except an hooray if we sell him.
Ouzi, I differ with you because I believe he can be coached positional sense and “percentage movement”. In rugby terms cornerflagging.
Willock also might still be our new (almost) Patrick Vieira, IMO.
Just for kicks….
“Arsenal have reportedly received an enquiry for Shkodran Mustafi from Monaco.”
May have to go to church this weekend.
If I were to sell 2 player sure mustafi and elneny
Hallelujah
EFC statement: ‘Everton categorically denies bid has been submitted to C.Palace for Zaha that included increased sum plus Tosun/McCarthy. EFC & Crystal Palace have very good relationship. Bid was made over weekend which was turned down. Both clubs agreed that was end of matter.”
Just reported
“Mustafi and Xhaka seen on plane heading east to China. New deals of £500 a week. If they have the yen to take it”
Interesting that Everton totally denied a second bid for Zaha. Now that could be to protect the players that were involved in the bid and make them feel like they are wanted at the club (McCarthy, Tosun), or it could be that the bid was complete bollocks, in which case I would be worried as an Arsenal fan. I tend to trust Sky as a source, but if they are getting this so wrong then I worry about the stuff they are reporting about Pepe and Tierney.
I really hope there’s some truth in theMustafi rumours for our sake and the players. If he’s getting abuse off the fans he needs to leave. We had the same thing with Gervinho and he was moved.
I hate the fact that some of our ‘fans’ feel the need to behave like that. Absolute jokers.
Morning all
We have a New Post ……………..