Fatgingergooner – post match report: Shape, effort, closing down, understanding of the game. We’ve come a long way under Arteta so far, but the reason he keeps saying it’s a process is because there is still a long way to go before we can really head to Anfield with belief. It’s not just work on the field that is required, its also making sure we sign players with the right attitude who can improve us (Pepe…!? ) over a couple of windows. We lack a bit of authority on the ball and a bit of creativity. The fact is our players are not as good as those of the top, top sides. It feels like Arteta is getting a lot from this group so the improvement will have to come from the youth ranks and from recruitment. We were certainly competitive tonight though, and that was probably our best performance at Anfield for quite some time.
LBG: summary post-match report: MOM Elneny in 90mins, Ceballos in 15mins. No team would have beaten Liverpool tonight. Disappointing for us and Lacazette, but I believe we would still have been swamped by the end. The good luck God of football is saving things for Thursday.
No team, except the Invincibles, is excellent throughout a season. COYG
RC78: summary post-match report: Not a bad performance to be honest – we contested well but ultimately, LFC was too good. Ceba gave us another creative dimension when he came in and AMN is growing into this LWB role. Liverpool has too much quality around the pitch and ultimately, it showed. 3-1 is a bit harsh I feel and I am convinced we could have snatched a draw but I am not disheartened by this defeat. Team is still growing under Arteta. On to Thursday for our Cup Game vs LFC, again
RC78 Player ratings – feel free to disagree
Leno – 5
Bellerin – 5
Holding – 6
Luiz – 6
Tierney – 5
AMN – 7
El Neny – 6
Xhaka – 6
Willian – 5
Laca – 5, should have scored the second
Auba – 5
Pepe – 4, two poor corners and nothing else
Nketiah – N/A
Ceba – 6, made a big difference
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Some very reasonable comments above.
If you worked at the club and you knew Partey was in the bag would you announce it before this game or after?
He was tellingly on the bench weekend just gone.
Whoever signed Pepe for 72mil deserves to be whipped through the streets 🤣🤣
thats harsh Sue unless you’re referring to whipped cream.
Good game overall. If Laca had scored his 2nd I am confident we would have held on for 2:2
Did anyone go to the game as the atmosphere looked terrible.
Ohh, Sue — they should give you a job at Arsenal as the ‘Rubbish Beater Extraordinaire’ — but you might find there is a long line for you to deal with.😛
VP
Unfortunately the situation is still that no spectators are allowed in any of the EPL grounds.
Not wanting to offend anyone, the following is only an opinion, and not fact! 😜
We looked desperate at RB and LB with both AMN and Bellerin looking clueless.
I was hoping RC could have a word with PSG and help get Belli that transfer to them.
I mention AMN as the LB, but was he? He seemed to be trying to play wing-back, or something, and that left him frequently upfield doing ……. well, I don’t know really. Perhaps Mikel had him on secret duties, but it did not work.
[I know you have a different opinion, RC – and maybe you are right about AMN and the MoTM – and that’s OK – but my disbelief when I read that, made me reach for my Xmas card list and you are relegated to the ‘Mmmm, Maybe’ category] 😁
Pool were terrific, but our nonsensical ‘play from the back’ tactic was a marvellous help to their ‘high press’, but it made me shudder whenever we tried to play it, especial Leno, and Mané and Firmino and Co, loved it. If Mikel wants it to keep ‘control’, he should wait until Gabriel is back and we have Partey and Oooer signed up.
Not too disappointed — the 2nd and 3rd goals they scored were utterly preventable if Bellerin and Luiz had done their jobs properly.
And both Auba and Laca could/should have scored, but both were under-par last night.
[I know there were alleged financial reasons for selling a top notch GK – Emi Martinez – but Leno …. well ……. what can I say? – let’s hope he gets better, and instils confidence in the defence.]
I think it’s important to keep in mind some of the previous Anfield performances against far worse Liverpool teams than this one when judging the result last night. The games where we collapsed inside 20 minutes and showed very little heart or quality thereafter. The games where they were breaking onto our back line 3 on 3 whilst our midfielders strolled back.
There was none of that last night and I have to say that I thought the second half performance was excellent. We were well in the game against a Liverpool side who were outstanding and we even had the chance to level it up. We were much braver in our positioning second half and I felt we passed the ball much better and engaged them higher up the field. We are not at the level to go to Anfield and dominate possession so of course there is always an element of riding your luck, but we coped pretty well for the majority of the game and we just weren’t clinical enough in attack.
Can anyone tell me what’s happened to Pepe!?
He looks ready to burst into tears at any given moment. I think it’s fair to say he doesn’t look settled in this country and he looks lost whenever he takes the field. It’s no wonder they were looking into how we paid so much for him! He’s heading towards Gervinho territory….🤦🏼♂️
So many “what ifs”, and “buts” and “if onlys” from the ‘experts’ on other sites this morning, so I will chuck in, if that dirty b****** Mane had been rightfully sent off for his forearm smash into Tierney’s neck, and Laca had done the business for the second time, we could have won 4-2…….easily!!
RA
I have to agree about Bellerin. His defending is terrible and he just doesn’t do enough for me as a RB or RWB. Last night was a perfect comparison between what we have in the full back areas and what they have. Sure, TAA and Robertson aren’t the greatest defenders either, but they impact the game massively going forward and I can’t say the same when it comes to Bellerin. As for AMN, he’s not a LWB so I guess it’s a bit harsh to judge him on his positional sense, but there’s no doubting his athletic ability and poise on the ball, so I really think he could be an asset if we can just find a position for him. I’d actually love to see Tierney in that LWB role and I really hope he gets the chance once the CB’s are all fit. He is a capable defender but he’s also shown glimpses of fantastic attacking play. His crossing is on point and he looks confident going forward. I can’t wait for him to be our regular LWB.
The other player worth a mention is Saka. I have a suspicion that his new contract was based around him playing in more advanced positions as he’s hardly had a kick at LWB since he signed it. He was excellent last season in that role so it seems odd that he isn’t starting there when we could do with a left footer on that side.
😝 RA.. I’m sure my whip could handle it 😉
What frustrates me is I never expected us to take the lead!! And to let it slip after 147 seconds.. argh!! 😖. I thought the goals we conceded were really poor…. Mane is and has always been a dirty sod and just for the record, makes me sick…
Oh well, the cup up next… brings back awful memories from last year… if we lose that also.. god help me!!
Kevin Friend is officiating… is he a closet Liverpool fan too?!!
What business do people think we will get done?
My guess is Mustafi will leave, and Sokratis (if he hasn’t already!? 🤷♂️). I think Torreira has probably already agreed a deal somewhere but it’s dependent on us bringing in Partey or another midfield player. Maybe the same for Geundouzi but I think he may end up staying. I’d love a loan for Özil just to get rid of that drama for the year but can’t see anyone wanting him tbh.
Nelson has held talks with Palace, over a season long loan… (swap with Zaha?! I wish!!)
A lot of whispers about funds for Aouar not being a problem. We need to raise more for Partey… so please get it done. I can’t stand watching another 35 games with that midfield!!
Hi Sue,
I felt much the same when Laca managed to totally bugger up his shot, and yet he scored a vital goal, or so it seemed. (I suspect that Allison might have saved it if he had hit the shot cleanly – given what happened to his efforts later in the game).
There are conspiracy theorists out and about on the blogs, regarding refereeing decisions, and that is understandable, but unrealistic.
The ref last night must have been scared of making decisions against Pool, because that dreadful elbow smash into the face of Tierney was a Red Card, and even the commentators mumbled agreement about that, but then settled on the old, “he was only trying to let Tierney know he was there – so a yellow card was OK”. Utter Bulls**t.
From then on he let Pool fouls go, but stopped Arsenal for similar ‘fouls’ all the time. Very poor.
Another team would have caused mayhem for Mané’s elbow tackle only getting a yellow, but we are still too nice. Where’a Partey? I hope he changes our attitude.
It just shows that bad incidents like that, poorly refereed, can dramatically change a game.
That is partly why I was not too disappointed by the result last night, as their goals were not great, and Pool should have been down to 10 men, and in fairness, our team played well with the players we have at the moment.
If we get Partey — does that mean we will see the back of Xhocker?
I would donate £10 for that to happen, to add to Sue’s £100. 😁
FGG,
I am not a great fan of AMN, but when he first got moved to LB/LWB I thought he had played very well, and maybe that was his niche at last.
But his mis-passing, and being pushed off the ball too easily, and being out of position so frequently, leaving Tierney exposed against two attackers, makes me think I was right all along, and he should move on.
Saying that, I hope you are right, and he just needs more Mikel coaching, in a position he is comfortable with. There are some great kids coming through the Academy, so ……..
RA
I would donate 10p and give him a big kiss/kick goodbye!
Fgg re Pepe
If you can, try to read DB10’s most recent interview to the BBC. ( Perhaps Jo could put the link up, sorry not within my skill set). There is a wonderful paragraph on the four parts that make a top class player.
So, in other words, RA, we played against 12 men 😄 The norm these days!!
Imagine Partey in our midfield doing a ‘Ramos’… now that I can’t wait to see!!
Big shout out to the paella man.. I really like him. I know a season long loan is better than nowt..I just wish we’d bought him…
We were well beaten last night. It wasn’t a surprise and I feel people need to reset their expectations.
We couldn’t handle the pressure Lpool put us under.
Laca’s shot at the keeper was a shocker considering his experience. Any decent forward would fancy putting that one away.
Bellerin’s positioning was poor for the 2nd goal. He got caught out many times. We know he’s better attacking than defending.
Pepe starting to look more like Raul’s pension fund than a £72m winger.
Sue,
By ‘Paella Man’ – someone I do not know – I guess that might be the pseudonym of the
egregiousMikel look-a-like, aka Ceb.I think they look like two charming book-ends, so I hope my deduction is accurate. 😉
Pete
NO team could stand the pressure Liverpool put on last night!!
@LBG I think you’re right.
I see a few names being mentioned for targets:
Zaha – A serial diver with little end product
Jorginho – A slower version of Xhaka who can pass the ball
I can’t believe they would improve the team. Hopefully agent talk.
If these are the best options we should just promote youth and flush £50m down the toilet. The result would be better.
Pool were terrific.
The obvious difference between the two teams – apart from them having better players in most positions than we have – was the accuracy of their passing.
We invited problems playing out from the back, because apart from doing our best to lay on a goal for them, we nearly always gave the ball away after twisting and turning by the corner flag, and Pool went on the attack again.
I love Action Man, but I also fear that using that tactic with so many of our players incapable of passing accurately is a mistake.
The solution to the Pool pressing game, is to counter attack at pace, not to play silly buggers and lose the ball with poor 3 metre passes.
Can’t think of how many counter attacks we made — 2 or 3? I know it was not many, and the few longer kicks we attempted were picked up by the Pool defence, or went out of play.
Right — enough crap from me — sorry — see you laterz.
Book-ends 😂 Nice one, RA!! I still stand by a Ken doll, maybe before and after?! 😜
Sue, 😁😁
I have just read this on NN;
The Gunners are prepared to offer £34.5m (€38m) but Lyon are looking for something in the region of £54.4m (€60m).
Aouar is keen to leave the French side this summer and is keen on a transfer to the Premier League.
L’Equipe claim the midfielder has become ‘gradually resigned’ to moving to the Emirates.
That’s because he would have preferred a move to Premier League rivals Manchester City or Serie A champions Juventus.
He can stuff off – if that is true.
I don’t want him!!
RA
His agent added Barcelona to the list of Clubs he would “prefer” to go to, so you can shove all that up his agents arse, to add to the usual crap!!
Hilarious! Totteringham Club shop still not selling anything with Moaninho’s name on it as Chelski hold rights on his name……..cant be all bad Totteringham, ehll?
Afternoon all. I still think that Liverpool’s dominance is more to do with how confident the players are with Klopp’s style of high intensity play (which they have developed over time) rather than a massive superiority in personnel. I agree we can still improve a couple of positions, but i also feel there is a lot more to come from what we already have. I believe our current squad as it stands has another level it can still progress to.
To clarify this, what I am saying is that I don’t think player for player that Liverpool are that far ahead quality wise in a natural talent sense, but that they are currently playing at a higher level than us because they are further on in their development and have a supreme confidence in what they are doing.
Mane and salah are really effective on the break from the long ball, often making themselves available in the wide spaces, while Firmino is excellent at the link play once they have it, and the whole team pushes up quickly once they have possession of the ball in the opposition third.
Then they are excellent at hemming you in and it takes a very confident team to be able to commit the players in the right way to utilise that high line against them. most teams don’t and just retreat most of the team behind the ball thus having no option when you do manage to nick back possession in your defensive third. And so the attack comes straight back at you as you fail to get out from their press.
We have the personnel to hurt them in the space behind those high playing full-backs though and could exploit that almost in the same way as salah and mane do when they receive the longer diagonal ball. We just didn’t quite have the confidence in ourselves yet to play that effectively, and I believe it was more a psychological issue rather than a quality of player one.
I do think that it will come though and I hope that when we meet them in the league again in April we can be a lot closer to them and really worry them. We weren’t that far away from causing them more problems even in this game.
If you look through the Liverpool team one by one you realise that it is packed with players who didn’t arrive as established superstars but have been coached to become better, and then reach their full potential in a very efficient style of play.
Alisson; came from Roma but wasn’t the most celebrated keeper at the time of his arrival.
Alexander Arnold and Gomez; both academy graduates who first hit the first team as players with potential rather than the finished article.
VVD; arrived via Celtic then Southampton, and if rumour is to be believed wasn’t deemed good enough to be an Arsenal player (at a touted £10m or so transfer fee) when he left Celtic.
Robertson; arrived via Dundee then Hull
Keita; arrived via Salzburg then Leipzig
Fabinho; arrived from Monaco
Wijnaldrum; arrived via PSV then Newcastle
Mane; arrived from Southampton
Salah; deemed not good enough for Chelsea so was sold and arrived via Roma but wasn’t an established superstar when he arrived and had question marks over him.
Firmino; arrived from Hoffenheim and is definitely a number 9 that fits Klopp’s system rather than a prolific goal-scorer. He scored 12 in 52 games last year as they won the title and only has 57 in 178 overall for Liverpool since 2015. That averages 11.4 goals per season with an average of 35.6 games per season.
If anything I draw comparisons with us and Liverpool that we are developing a team and system and improving players rather than buying a team, and that gives me great hope. We are kind of going through the process they did 2-3 years ago.
I am not saying we couldn’t upgrade in quality in a couple of playing areas, but I still don’t think Arteta has got the best from this team yet, and he has only had 1/2 a seasons development time so far which bodes well as we move on.
The same pattern of negotiation is happening with Aouar as did with Lacazette. Lyon would obviously like another club to become interested to create an auction and if they don’t, we get him at the price we offered.
I read those statements such as “gradually resigned” to relate to the club rather than the player.
Love your optimism GB, I don’t quite share it, I thought that we played as well as that team are capable against the present quality that Liverpool have.
That Arsenal team may be able to turn it on in the future against Fulham for example but I wouldn’t expect to fare any better if we played Liverpool again at Anfield.
This is not to say that I am unhappy with the way things are progressing.
The interest in Partey I get because he would bring us a different kind of defensive midfield option but from what I understand about Aouar I don’t quite get the need for him.
He would surely be operating in a number 10 / attacking central midfield role, or a wide attacking role, but in wide attacking positions 9when all fit) we have options from Aubamayeng, Pepe, Saka,, Nelson, and Martinelli. In the number 10 ACM role we could play Willian or Smith Rowe or move Ceballos further forward and I even feel that Saka could really shine in that position rather than out wide.
Klopp’s tactics are perfect for the modern game. Teams want to pass more than ever and his pressing game finds the weak links in your side. If you don’t have 11 players who are comfortable on the ball then this Liverpool side will exploit that. The way they regain possession is fantastic.
For the tactics to work though Klopp also needs players who believe in his way and I think this current squad have had enough time together and enough success to really buy into it. Add to that the fact that Liverpool have been unbelievably lucky on the injury front in terms of key personnel and you have a recipe for success. Consistency is what separates the good from the great and at the moment Liverpool are fielding the same 9-10 players every game and those individuals are at a high level because of that. They know their roles inside out.
I’d be interested to see how his tactics and performances would hold up if Mane, Salah and VVD were out for a few weeks….but you could say that about any team.
I see the Aouar move as Arteta looking to go towards a slightly different direction in terms of tactics moving forward. I think the Lacazette rumours may have some weight to them in that Arteta would move on from him and we would see Auba playing through the middle, thus creating a need for some creativity down the left side. I’m not saying it will happen this window but he is only contracted until 2022 and I doubt we’ll renew it. If we really are to play this pressing game in future then you’d think we would move away from wing backs and look to go more 4-1-4-1 much like City and Liverpool play where they have a line of 4 or 5 across the pitch really hemming teams in with the full backs coming more central and helping the HM player when we don’t have the ball.
Leno
Bellerin Saliba Gabriel Tierney
Partey
Willian Ceballos Aouar Saka
Aubameyang
Something along those lines with that front 5 doing the high press.
If we go for Partey and/or Aouar, clearly Arteta must be thinking about reverting to a back 4 and this is scary if one of the CB is going to be Luiz…Until Luiz plays for us, I d rather stick to a back 3 but I have every faith in Arteta so if we get Partey and/or Aouar, I expect us to play:
Leno – Bello, Holding, Luiz, Tierney – Willian, Partey, Ceba – Pepe, Laca, Auba
and if Aouar comes in, then Pepe drops to the bench and Willian moves up.
I actually really enjoyed watching the game last night. The commentary was fair to us, the team put visible effort into the game, and Liverpool were good to watch. I’m hopeful that come the end of this Covid nonsense (whenever that will be!) the Emirates might actually be full of fans who really enjoy watching Arsenal and are ready to support the team and are not just moaning about the past and Wenger and the owners and all the other crap which seems pretty insignificant at the moment. If anything the last couple of seasons under Emery have taught us what a good manager actually looks like and what a good performance actually looks like.
I imagine Arteta will have Martinelli near the starting XI once he’s fit as he worked his knackers off in every game. I bet he can’t wait to get him fully fit as he seems a player who Arteta would enjoy.
RC.. How do you feel about Alli potentially going to PSG on loan?
The ITKs are saying Aouar deal is done pending a medical….
Hi GB, great to see you, or more correctly your mission statements. 😁
I have always enjoyed your upbeat assessments, and effortlessly finding that every cloud has a silver lining.
There are also many more darned good bloggers on AA who share your enthusiasm, and I enjoy that palpable air of comfortable satisfaction coming off you all, which makes me feel I can pick it up and pitch it like a baseball. 😛
I think you are barmy, of course, and you guys often remind me of the band of good fellows who follow the yellow brick road to find the wonderful Wizard of Oz to seek his sage help.
I’m not sure which of you (no pun intended) is represented by the Scarecrow that needs a brain, or the Tin Man who is missing a heart, or the Cowardly Lion who needs a dollop courage. [the latter is probably me, I guess] and Sue, of course, who can sing like a canary is the young Dorothy always full of enthusiasm.
It is delightful, and long may the adventure continue.
And why do I need a dollop of courage?
Well, I am not a romantic, but a dyed in the wool pragmatist, who finds it impossible to rationalise and to constantly try to make the best of everything, as you good guys can, and I wish I could set off with you all to see the Wizard of Arse (aka Mikel) to have the footballing world and our tactics set to right — but I just don’t believe in it — and you lot will hate me, and whistle up a Kansas tornado to whiz me off for being a baddy. 😩
I meant to say, LB, that your prospect Ceb the Paella Man, played with energy, skill and passion last night and in a game where no one lit the fuse, he played in a way that they could all learn from.
I suppose that as he came on in the last 20 minutes he was able to ‘go for it’ as there was nothing to lose.
That sounds a little curmudgeonly but that is not what I meant — he was simply showing Mikel what he can do when heads were sinking a bit, and I was impressed.
Hi Sue – not sure why PSG wants Delli Alli to be honest…We have Neymar, Sarabia, Di Maria and Draxler that can play there…If he joins, I ll have to root for him despite his Spurs’ past but I hope he doesn’t
Meanwhile, Fofana will join Leicester for 35 Mln EUR + 5 Mln EUR in bonus. Leicester will sell in in 2-3 years time for at least double this amount. Shame we did not go for him.
Had to have a little chuckle to myself yesterday when Carra (can’t stand his voice!) said that he saw the Arsenal situation that Arteta inherited as almost identical to the Liverpool situation that Klopp inherited.
Hmmmm, he seems to be forgetting that Klopp had Suarez, Sterling and Coutinho to sell for a combined £250m which went some way to funding his current squad. Unfortunately Arteta doesn’t have those kind of assets.
RC.. Well, Alli isn’t in the squad again… so he’s obviously off somewhere!!
I can totally understand why Mourinho feels Spurs can’t challenge in the Carabao Cup because of fixture congestion. I mean, he’s having to play his £53m midfielder just to scrape a team together. Poor lad.
RA.. Why whistle up a Kansas tornado to whiz you off, when you could borrow my broomstick? 😜😆
Are these Sky commentators for real!? You’d think Spurs had put out a team of kids the way they are going on! They had a World Cup winning GK. A £32m left back. £23m right back. £53m midfielder. £30m midfielder. A £43m midfielder. Both attackers were £25m. Then they’ve brought on Kane, Lucas and Hojberg!!!
Well done Jose and his kids….🙄😂
FGG.. 😂😂
Looks like my love is leaving us. Off to Leverkusen. €11m plus add ons, medical Friday – I could always go and help with that 😂
Not bad business… maybe we should start thinking about booking that flight for TP 😝
“Magnificent Totteringham”! 9m for Kolasinac! Debate or farce! Another day, another dollar/pound. Hooray!
If we get 9 mil for Koly we have done well.
Free transfer, large wage, for someone who is clogging up our transfer progress.
Hi Sue,
I am thinking of renaming you as Calamity Jane, because your method of dealing with recalcitrant bloggers seemed to accord with a film I saw on Netflix a while back, called mmmm oh yes — that’s it — Calamity Jane. 😉
There are some cracking tunes on there, including
The Deadwood Stage;
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-rollin’ on over the plains
With the curtains flappin’ and the driver slappin’ the reins
A beautiful sky, a wonderful day
Whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-headin’ on over the hills
Where the Injun arrows are thicker than porcupine quills
Dangerous land, no time to delay
So whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
We’re headin’ straight for town, loaded down
With a fancy cargo, care of Wells and Fargo, Illinois – Boy!
Oh the Deadwood Stage is a-comin’ on over the crest
Like a homin’ pigeon that’s a-hankerin’ after it’s nest
Twenty-three miles we’ve covered today
So whip crack-away, whip crack-away, whip crack-away
Deadwood is an Old West town in South Dakota, where Calamity Jane was born, so if you can drive a stagecoach with reins in one hand, and a whip in the other, you would be right at home. 😁
Have we bought anyone yet?
New post everyone