Quick side note that I feel everyone should know if you don’t already. If you go to google and ask “what is a hotspur?” – it returns “a rash, impetuous person”… who says you can’t always believe the internet???
Anyways… on to the important stuff …………..
We’ll start with potential lineups. I think we’ll return to the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 line up. My Dad (Mike M) and I have gone with the following for our preferred line up:
I know a lot of people on here may disagree as it seems many do not see Torreira as a DM. I however feel that’s his only option. I think as a BTB he isn’t as good as Willock or Guendouzi and I don’t think it’s very close. I think this is his time to prove that he can play for us and he can play as a DM.
Up to this point I truly believe that he has always been deployed alongside Xhaka and never explicitly been told to play in the DM role and has therefore been guilty of running too far up field. I think he has what it takes to play DM and hope we get to see him in that role at some point.
This is the team I expect Emery to pick:
This is certainly pretty tough. I think the back line is pretty obvious at this point and while I think it’s possible, he won’t unleash the PAL (Pepe, Auba, Laca) front three, I’d be a surprised if he didn’t. So that leaves a predicament in the center of the park with 5 players for 3 spots. I think he’ll give Xhaka the nod as that seems to be who he wants for whatever reason I can’t seem to figure out. I also think he’ll pick Guendouzi and Willock as he loves the former and has started the latter all three games (1 at Attacking Mid – Newcastle). Therefore I think he leaves Torreira and Ceballos on the bench.
Now for the Match Preview:
We’re at home to the Spuds this weekend, and therefore nothing more really needs to be said, a win is a must. However, this particular clash seems like it could be more important than some in more recent times, at least in terms of how vital it is to win. We are a team that in my opinion has a lot of momentum heading into this game. I know we just lost but without going into far too much detail… I’m ignoring that game. We’ve begun the weekend in 3rd rdplace, we have potentially our best front 3-4 in over a decade and seem to be teetering on this tightrope of obtaining the sort of swagger needed to push us out of the “top 6” group and maybe into the “top 3” group. A month or two ago, I couldn’t have really imagined writing that sentence because in my mind the Spuds were a major obstacle in that scenario.
So let’s talk about the Potatoes briefly. They have declared that Ndombele, Walker Peters, and Foyth will not play due to injury. Others such as Eriksen, Alli, and Dier possibly missing out for various reasons. So far this campaign they have struggled, they squeaked by Villa, were extremely lucky to get a point against City, and obviously lost to the Barcodes (At Home!). They also seem to be having internal issues with Eriksen wanting out, as well as other reports saying that some of their players are growing tired of Pochettino. I certainly do not think they are in free fall, but I do believe they’ve been lucky over the years and said luck (and Harry Kane) has papered over some cracks. Nonetheless, the cracks are there and it’s time for someone to try and break them open, why not us?
With all of that said I want to stress that I don’t believe this will be a walk over game, I actually have a predicted score line of 2-1 (Mike went with 2-0). Part of me also thinks that there’s a possibility we could screw this up. None of that is the point though, the point is that in terms of 4th games of the season, they don’t get much bigger than this. This game is an opportunity for us to show why this season and this squad are different and why we may finally be returning to form as one of the best clubs in England. Mike thinks it hinges on how Xhaka plays if he gets picked and in that sense, he doesn’t feel great about it even ‘though he predicted 2-0.
At the end of the day, it is just one game. It’s not a be all end all game but make no mistake, this has potential to be huge for the futures of both of the clubs involved.
C’mon you Reds !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Late update – this was written on Friday. As of yesterday, Nacho has gone. That’s a bit of a shame but hopefully Tierney isn’t far away. Seems plausible that he could go with 3 at the back or bring in Chambers at RB and move AMN to LB but I’d assume Kolasinac will be the replacement.
Good luck Nacho, you were consistently one of our better later AW signings. Thanks for all you did (also in Emery’s presser last night he cagily hinted that all 3 of our front players are now completely fit, so here’s hoping !!!!!!!!!)
Brady’s Namesake
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks Namesake
Must win. Must get off Dick’s back ( Petit has been anti- Arsenal since he pulled on a blue shirt. It’s as though he has been walking through long grass and been bitten by one of those awful ticks that has given him “slymey Chelski disease”). Must start using Chambers.
COYG. Do em up like kippers!
Ever since we got pepe I was thinking of a name to call the front 3 I think PAL will do
Come on!!! It’s derby day – and what a match it should be!!
Please unleash PAL, Unai.. we’ve waited long enough!
Hope all gooners enjoy the game.. i bet the Ems will be rocking!!
Nice article, Liam 👍
Great work, thanks Liam and Mike.
This should be a very good time to meet spurs. We need to be patient and control the game. They will probably come at us early on and press when we try to play out from the back and I expect a few tasty challenges.
I do hope Luiz and Xhaka keep their heads because we don’t want any red cards. We should win, but we need to stay calm and not overcommit – the danger times are after we score .. or if we go a goal down.
Great day of football, starting with Rangers v Celtic!
Nice work Chippy n Mike, to me it’s a day for Unai to focus on his strengths and that’s our attack, so for me it the Laca/Auba/Pepe show with Martinelli on the bench to run at the Spuds later in the game, they won’t expect that…
The home crowd will play a huge part, they’ll drive on the players, I was there last season and the home crowd were brilliant, especially when Eric Dier had his drama queen moment after scoring.
Nicolas Pepe to open his Arsenal account and after last weeks mad moments at Anfield I’ve a hunch that Luiz might get on the scoresheet…
Great write-up BN
The excitement (and nerves) of this game have been building all week.
We should have enough to bank the win.
My main concern is the same as Rasp flagged: we don’t want a ‘Mustafi Moment’ from Luiz (or Xhaka). Luiz has had one MM already in his short Arsenal career… let’s hope it becomes a collectors’ item.
PAL is good.
Also ALP – as that dynamic front line will hopefully help us reach our peak.
Nice one, Kev.. i hope you’re right!
Love the drama queen bit – he’s such a tool!
Since one of Emery’s previously announced captain, “Mr. reliable” Nacho Monreal, has returned to Spain at Real Sociedad, we will be one less “captain” short.
Emery does not seemed to want to play Ozil (another of his “captains”) regularly, which would mean Granit Xhaka, our last announced “captain”, is almost guaranteed to play and start every match from here on?!
That is unless Emery will named his 3 other “new captains” in our team, since more or less the 1st team is now settled down (after the European transfer window shuts down)
I have got 2 questions for everyone’s participation (which could be a post by itself some time next week slightly after our North London derby).
Who are your picks for the other 3 club captains (3 of 5), alongside Xhaka and Ozil? (speculative)
Who will Emery realistically pick from the rest of our 1st team squad to be his other captains? (from our coach’s viewpoint)
My personal picks are:
Leno – he is our 1st choice GK and should likely play regularly. He is in his mid to late 20s (at 27) and has played much 1st team football with Leverkusen (200 to 300+ matches previously) and us. He is on a long term contract till 2023.
Chambers – he has played over 100 Premier League matches (with Southampton, Middlesborough, Fulham and us) altogether. He might not be a regular starter for the 1st team and not too spectacular with his playing. His versatility in the CB/RB/DM positions would mean Emery should find him handy as a reliable utility player and captain our side in the cup (Carabao/FA etc) and some league matches. He is on a contract till 2022. He could be the “English-born” captain in our team that Emery sort after.
Lacazette – he was our Player of the Season (2018/2019). He is in his prime years (late 20s) with over 200+ 1st team appearances (previously with Lyon and now with us). He mostly gives his all on the pitch and is equally capable of scoring and assisting (where he could in his early 30s, be playing as a 2nd/withdrawn striker or attacking midfielder with us). He is contracted with us till 2022.
I think Emery could next pick Bellerin, Leno and Luiz as his other 3 captains.
Hi JM, I find the idea of multiple captains ludicrous. Since all the options are a bit flaky I think I’d have to go with Leno too.
After only his first game I’d have seriously suggested Luiz … but after his second game perhaps not.
Let’s see if our curly haired new recruit can redeem himself this game and prove he is the mature responsible leader we need.
Thanks Liam (and Mike) for a great pre-match. I’m on my way to the Emirates now, really looking for forward to the game. Hoping to meet LBG and Ant for a beer.
I’ve heard Nacho is going to be there to say goodbye ……. maybe he’ll sneak onto the pitch 😉
Iwobi makes his first start today for Everton home he dies good
Iwobi with his first goal boom
Actually his second apparently he scored midweek watch him finish top scorer
Enjoy the match, Peaches… whatever the outcome, be interesting in your household later!! COYG
Yeah he scored against Lincoln midweek, Fred! He’s on a roll…..
Did you see Juventus last night?
Finally… PAL is unleashed!!! COYG
BN,
Thank you for your detailed thoughts and projected lineups.
Could have Emery just waited for 1 game before letting go of Nacho for goodness sakes?
Prefer the lineup that you suggested; Ceballos and Tor in, Guen and Xhaka out.
Almost wondering if Emery goes Chambers at rb and AMN at lb if he tries a back 4.
Multiple captains, what a load of horse$*te. One captain, and one backup if he can’t play.
This is the time to get at the spuds, little unsettled right now, injuries and the whole eriksen saga, long may it last.
Whomever scores 1st will be the likely winner., May the Arsenal start with a bang!
No ceballos damn
Uggg, no pace in the center and no lb:-0
The teams are out and our front three is there. Our defense is as expected but the midfield 3 is rather interesting with Xhaka, Torreira and Guendouzi.
Tottenham playing with their stronger players with Vertongjen and Eriksen starting.
Well – based on the line ups, am not too confident that we will win but am also not dreading a loss.
Who would ne the creater in the side
Thanks Brady, great pre match. Line up is interesting. Probably would have opted for the BtB energy of Willock but let’s see. Who anchors the midfield,l? First time start for the front 3
Do we think Emery is saying he sees these 3 as his strongest midfield 3 for the big games?
For me Douzi and Xhaka need to anchor and give more freedom to Torreira to get up and down that midfield. He is the best suited of the 3 to support the attack
Luiz mistake again jeez
So, countered with pace, totally predictable.
OK. Re-group and get the goal back!
Sok with another crappy header and countered. Geez.
The Arsenal midfield is getting torn to shreds.
Leno with a super save, might just keep us in the game.
Does Leno know how to hold a ball, he spilling everything today
Thanks xhaka
What a t****r that Xhaka is!!!
Chippy, but the Arsenal getting the better of the two right now.
rose lucky to be on after that shirt pull on Laca.
And our Captain concedes another penalty.
dang, shooting ourselves in the foot.
Fair to say our sub-standard players are dragging the side down. Awful errors from Xhaka and Sokratis who just seem to have zero composure and do very rash and dreadful things.
So poor and we won’t improve until they are taken from the group.
Wonder after this if xhaka would finally be benched
I am at work, but from what I can gather from text reports, it sounds like we need to make some changes, let’s hope we come out for the second half with Willock and Ceballos
So can we all agree that Sok and Xhaka are back up players? Could we also agree that against the top teams we need to play 343 or 352 because we re still so fragile defensively and the blame cannot be on our forwards not defending. It s about our defensive players
Laca with a spud demoralising goal!
Watching Xhaka is painful.
How many more chances will he give the Spuds?
He has no right to be in an Arsenal shirt!
Xhaka had better be sold tomorrow… what an absolute 🔔🔚
It doesn’t matter about formation if you have weak links like we do. Our good players are having to work extra hard to cover the failings of our poor players and it’s taking away from our overall game. Lacazette’s goal should be putting us 1-0 up but instead we need another just to get back level. It’s not good enough from 2 our more experienced players. I’d much prefer Willock or Ceballos in the side as at least they offer something other than errors.
On a positive, we are right back in it and will feel good going into half time. Spurs look as bad as us at the back but we just need to get the ball to Lacazette and Pepe a bit more and hopefully bring Ceballos on so that Our attacking players can play higher up and run in behind their defence.
The other issue with having weak links, other than the obvious, is that they make the crowd really anxious which feeds onto the team. Even at 0-0, any bad pass from Xhaka or poor play from one of the defenders was fuelling the negativity in the ground.
I’d also like to see us with our proper full backs in the side because Kolasinac is very negative on the ball and seems reluctant to go at Sanchez. I feel without Tierney and Bellerin we will be a much better side.
Fred.. We won’t ever see Xhaka benched! How many penalties has he given away?!! Lunge after lunge after lunge…. 🙄
Yep, agree with Sue, can’t Emery just take $ from Xhaka every time he goes to ground?
Put on Willock or Ceballos, at least they offer mobility.
Come on Red!
Leno, AMN, Torreira, Pepe and Laca playing fine
Kola and Auba trying
The rest needs to wake up or be subbed
Great build up prior to Guen’s shot, and then a HUGE chance.
One is coming….
I don’t feel we need to be this open. Spurs will naturally sit back so we shouldn’t need to leave so much space on the counter. We have as much chance of conceding as we do getting level.
FGG, the Arsenal way…
Ceballos on, let’s see if he can make a difference.
Nice pass guendouzi
YES, what a move by Guen and nick by Auba!!
Is that Fabregas in a wig!?
What a pass
Seriously is sokratis actually a defender
Jah
Absolute lack of composure throughout. Individual errors have cost us a comfortable 3 points. I don’t want to hate on individuals but it’s pretty obvious who cost us the game.
I thought Geundouzi was outstanding and dispite his rough edges, he came up with a sublime pass to get us a draw. The midfield didn’t work and I think Willock or Ceballos in place of Xhaka would’ve been better, but that’s easy to say after the game. The introduction of Ceballos was very good and gave us a little bit more control and allowed us to keep in their half, which resulted in the equaliser, but as is usually the case, we lost a bit of urgency once we scored and allowed Spurs back into it at the end.
Great game, average result, poor individual errors.
Why do we make things so hard for ourselves? Oh yes, that’s right, because Xhaka’s in the team. I’m disappointed…. although have to thank Laca & Auba.. as it could have been a lot worse… sigh…….
Oh, and Kane is an absolute fucking cheat. He deserves a ban for that dive. Joker
Everytime the ball fell to mkhitarian you just know he would F it up
I think we have a big issue that beside PAL we have no one to sub them with who can actually fiber us anything guess it was a mistake selling iwobi but Nelson should have gotten his chance today
FGG.. i bet that won’t even be mentioned tomorrow!!
Poor individual errors — have to include the referee, FGG
Cheating swan dives in the area by Ali and Kane are simply ignored,
Frequent trips on Arsenal players, and more dives outside the area also ignored.
VAR had more than one line to decide whether the Sok goal was offside. The fact there was more than one ‘line’ jumping about in more than one colour was an absolute joke.
Got to be pleased with how Pepe has started. He goes past people for fun and you can’t put a price on that. It frees up space for everyone else and it allows you open teams up. His assist for the first goal was excellent (great play by Geundouzi aswell to sniff out the ball in midfield and get it to Pepe) and he caused problems throughout the match on both flanks. A quality signing and will only get better once his understanding with Laca and Auba improves.
Well I thought that might have a sad ending once we gave away the penalty, but no-one let their heads drop and the noise in the ground would have inspired a sleepy Özil. As the second half wore on I was sure we would nick it ……. the ref was appalling, how do these guys still earn a living. Not even a card for Kane’s outrageous dive!!!!!
Loris kept them in that game …… we should have smashed them. This team is going to be very good.
Guendouzi deserved a goal today, his work rate is astonishing. Onwards and upwards
So what do we know after this game?
1. Leno will make the odd mistake but will be solid throughout. Better than Scezesny? Not sure but definitely a good GK
2. Xhaka is a disaster despite his warrior attitude.
3. Pepe is great and Auba and Laca are legends. I hope Laca is not too injured
4. Guendouzi’s workrate never disappoints. I thought he was our MOTM, just based on his second half.
5. Sokratis is not very solid and Luiz is not really having a Van Dijk effect
6. Kola and AMN had a good game I thought.
7. Torreira cannot be our playmaker. He is a lot more comfortable as a BTB.
8. Ceballos has such good ball control and his passing Is good but he needs to beef up and play quicker.
9. Mkhy can be useful because he always did the right runs and good passes BUT he is slow now and cannot beat anyone one to one. He needs to play as a false nine or as an 8.
10. We only have 7 points after 4 games but we have played Liverpool away and Tottenham at home. Now the break is welcome and when we resume, we need to pick up the pace and the points
11. Emery messed up his starting line-up according to me and our players need to understand better the transition in defensive phases because we conceded well too many chances.
11. Ratings:
Leno – 5.5 – At fault for the goal but kept us in the game as well.
AMN – 6 – Did well at both ends
Sok – 4.5 – Not his best day at the office and could have conceded a PK at the end or gotten a red card.
DL – 5 – Anonymous
Xhaka – 4 – Usual Xhaka showing. Runs a lot. Tackles a lot. Fouls a lot and picks up a card. Has a decent distribution but gives away PKs for fun.
Guendouzi – 7 – Great work rate. Possibly his best showing in an Arsenal shirt. Really stepped up when others were not playing well. An assist, countless runs and ball recoveries. Well done!
Torreira – 5 – Anonymous.
Pepe – 6.5 – An Assist. Some chances. Desire to get behind the ball and have a go. What a recruit!
Laca – 6.5 – A goal and his usual fighiting spirit. Hope he s ok.
Auba – 6.5 – A difficult first half but a good second half and a good goal.
Ceballos – 6 – Instant impact.
Mkhy – 5 – Good runs and decent passes but heavy and sometimes heavy touches. Cannot dribble anyone with this type of pace. Needs to work on his pace and also needs to stop double guessing himself.
Didn’t see the game, listened to Arsenal Player and I lost count of the amount of times the commentator lost it in anticipation of a goal for the good guys only to hear him finally say ‘a great save by Lloris’…
Given our start, then 2-2 is a good result.
It’s a game we could so easily have lost, even at the end.
I keep on hearing that Xhaka is this and he’s that and he’s a great trainer, very popular at the club and a great example, a top professional and that if you don’t see what he does in a game that you don’t understand football…
Well I guess that I don’t understand football…
RC78 I’ve pinched your comment for a match report, hope that’s ok. No more volunteers needed 😁
RA kolasinac was the one who was offside
Xhaka actually did some decent things during the game, but he just ruined it with an awful tackle and some really sloppy play and fouls throughout. Some of his forward passes were excellent, including a sublime first time ball to Pepe in the box, and he was switching play with ease. He also tested Lloris with a great long range strike, but it’s all for nothing because all you tend to remember is the shite he does! He should’ve learned by now.
Only one critique I have in guendouzi he needs o finish his chances, I remember the one in the Burnley game which was save also seems he goals hard and low just to make sure it on target
FGG so true pepe is a joy to watch when he gets his first goal I think the flood gates will open for him
An immensely entertaining game during which we did everything except score enough goals to win the game.
Agree with Ginger regarding Xhaka, BUT that stupidity in the end has cost us three points, again. Ouzi my man of the match. Front three fightened them significantly. Pepe could have done with a pre-season but lots of talent
Questions: how was Son allowed to stand on the ball for every one of our free kicks? Why was the England captain not booked for a blatant dive. How does Atkinson get away with it? Why is Chambers not playing at centre back?
I keep on thinking back to that game towards the end of last season when Xhaka went careering into a reckless tackle in the box, giving away a penalty which probably cost us the points that would have got us into the CL. That’s what you have with him and I just think we need to move away and in a different direction with different players in his position.
Liverpool away and Spuds at home… before those two fixtures I hoped for 4 points but reckoned I could live with 1 (provided it came in the game v Spuds).
I can’t get on board with the negativity that some people seem to be feeling.
Sok messed up for the first goal but has been mostly solid so far.
Leno messed up too, but has also been mostly good.
Xhaka – no excuse for that stupid challenge in our own box. He does that sort of thing too often and, at this stage of his career, he’s not going to ‘grow out of it’ or ‘learn from it.’ I agree he also did some good things in the game but I find it increasingly hard to see how he merits a starting place.
But on balance we probably should have won (we fashioned two excellent goals, Spuds only got their goals because we basically gifted them). And we all know defence is in a holding pattern until Hector, Tierney and Holding return, so our defence will improve.
There was enough in this performance to make me (at least) feel cautiously optimistic for the games ahead.
Pepe is just starting out but from what we’ve seen so far he’s going to be one helluva player.
Ceballos, after an anonymous showing at Anfield, was back to Burnley form today when he came on. He gave our game a sense of control and tempo that had previously been lacking and I can see him soon becoming a nailed on starter.
Gwen is my favourite player of the season so far. This kid just keeps on improving and could turn out to be a megastar.
In short, lots to feel upbeat about.
And if Kola had been two inches further back, we’d be celebrating a mighty comeback win over the inbreds from N17.
Also, let’s not forget: Two nil and they effed it up 😀
Pity we gifted them their goals 😩
We probably knew…..
….Xhaka has given away more penalties (5) than anyone else since 2016-7, in the Premier League………probably in any of the professional leagues.
Rocky,
Totally agree with all of that. I said before the Liverpool game that I’d hate for us to lose the next 2 (Pool and Spuds) and the fans suddenly turn on the team. There is so much to be positive about at the moment and I really don’t understand the huge amounts of negativity that is written by Arsenal fans on other sites and occasionally this one. This looks like the start of something good at the Emirates and the fact that young players like Geundouzi are showing up the more experienced pros is a great sign.
Omg, Fred.. Roma want Mkhi??
My partner just told me that
I really hope that it true, he was awful today his first touch is worse than mine
He got 3 chances to do something in the game and everytime he got it wrong
Something is fundamentally wrong with our defending
Sue u really telly me kolasinac couldn’t have hold his run
I hate when a player gets an offside call when he has the whole lone to watch
I’ve seen MOTD, also saw some highlights on YouTube and I agree with the above, Guendouzi was superb, hard to believe that he’s still only 20 and learning his trade, what a wonderful footballer we have in him. When I look a Ceballos, whose gradually coming to terms with the intensity of the EPL, the promise of Willock, still only 20 and then of course Torrieira and when he’s up to speed, then I see where we could eventually end up this season with a dynamic, young, technical and quick thinking midfield.
That was so bloody frustrating, Fred, if only he had.. we’d all be celebrating a win… urgh…..
Morning all. No comments since Sue’s 6.42 after Derby day? I think everyone is awaiting Peaches 2 little words of enlightenment 🙂
Morning GB
Sue do u think mkhitarian should be sold also
Personality I want him gone, but wondering besides PAL who else we have for the front position
This is were guys like nelson saka comes into play cause personally if guys like them had bad touches in the game u wouldn’t be so frustrating cause you it will help them grow as a player but with mkhitarian it just part of his game now
Players like luiz xhaka mkhitarian don’t bring anything additional so really hope emery realize this
GoonerB
My extra words after an exciting London Derby are, cant wait until Holding and Tierney are fit. Hector is pushing AM-N for a place. Chambers is playing alongside Holding with Daviid ahead of then, AND Dick understands Xhaka is not only not worthy of the Captains armband, but not worthy of a place in the starting lineup.
Same mistake luiz make in defense he will be making as a CDM mark my words
Only CS we kept this season is with chambers
U all keep talking about holding and bellerin these guys have been out so long we don’t know how good we they will be from the start
Yes i do, Fred.. apparently he’s flying out to Italy, as we speak!! The only other thing I’d love, just as much, well actually maybe more, is if someone, anyone, came in for Xhaka & made all my Christmases come at once!!
I’m still gutted over yesterday….. 2 points dropped & they’ll never score easier goals at the Ems 🤬
Seems like no one taking mustafi damn but personally if all 3 depart now that would be a Christmas gift
Come on Santa make it happen if u I promise not to ask for anything for the next 3 Christmases lol
There’s talk of Juve coming in, Fred.. as Chiellini is injured.. one can hope, hey?! 🙏
Not me and u nah u gave me to much false hope threw this transfer window with regards to mustafi
Fred
Words marked!
Much more significant (yes even than your words!), will Dick ever consider using him there and giving Chambers his rightful chance at centre back? Our French correspondent thinks no, but check out his success rate with Chelski there!
LBG, totally agree with your 10.15, although yesterday I thought both Kola and AMN were good and certainly didn’t look a weak link. It will be excellent to have the strength in depth of 2 good options for each position.
That may depend on whether AMN moves more into CM though, but this is a very congested area in our squad with many good options. More on that on the next post maybe?
How how if AMN move on the wing there for pepe backup
Disagree about Luiz at HM Fred. I know we see the odd mad moment from David but I think his general overall ball winning skills, experience and athleticism make him an asset. I certainly don’t see him as a constant worry and liability in the way I do Xhaka.
Sorry guys I thought Rasp was sorting the post ……. back in a couple of minutes ……
New Post everyone ……………………
GB fair enough at HM luiz might not be as bad as xhaka but personally I think torreira probably the best we have in that position right now
5 red cards since he joined us and 4 at his previous club in Germany in 3 seasons and Emery wants him as one of his captains. Makes you wonder.
He offers nothing to the team wherever he plays bar a very smart haircut and a straight shot every 20 odd games. £36 million down the 🚾 . No one ticks the boxes as captain though hopefully Holding is one for the future.