Forza Arsenal!

April 11, 2019

Exciting night ahead. And who would have thought that many fans would not be sad if we lost this two-legged tie? Given the choice of a Top 4 spot and reaching the semi-finals (again) of the Europa with the prospect of a nerve jangling final against the Chavs, many would choose the PL position.

Not me. Silverware trumps Top 4 and there is no trophy for a CL place.

We have drawn the favourites for the EL, just as we did last year. We lost narrowly last time but I believe we can win this tie. Napoli are strong but certainly not unbeatable. A clean sheet tonight and I think we will go through.

Napoli have some fine players. Their talisman is Lorenzo Insigne who sadly for us has regained fitness after a month out. Alongside Milik and Mertens he makes up a formidable forward line. At the back is the much in demand, and likely to be the subject of a massive transfer fee, Kalidou Koulibaly (someone RC pointed out over a season ago). This chap is quality.

In goal should be our friend and current AFC player David Ospina but I guess he will not be allowed to play against us. This must be to our advantage

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More of the same please.

Napoli have won the Scudetto twice, both times with a drug-fuelled but possibly GOAT  Diego Maradona leading the team. I was in Naples for one of my honeymoons when Maradona was at his peak and the whole town worshipped the man. There were Maradona pizzas, Maradona gelati, pasta alla Diego, it was crazy. Eventually Diego was forced to take a drug test, found to be full of cocaine and banned from football for 15 months, but what a footballer he was. Since then second has been their best position

Managed by Carlo Wagnerotti, a man who has won everything there is to win, they are comfortably the second best team in Italy.

You may wonder why the Chavs are at home and AFC away for the second legs, it is because Chelsea are the FA Cup holders and as I told you, silverware trumps PL position.

We have the usual injury concerns and given the awful MF performance at Everton, the loss of Xhaka is a worry. So is the potential loss of Koscielny who will be very important if we are to keep the precious clean sheet.

I expect Mr Emery to take a safety first, pragmatic view of tonight’s game and play  with a single striker and a packed midfield. If we win 1-0 he will be delighted as Arsenal are likely to score in Naples.

The Emirates should be rocking tonight the fans will be noisy. Hopefully they will get behind the team even if we concede early. This is a high profile game which will attract viewers all over the world and I would like the Gooners attending to put on a show.

I will be watching in a bar somewhere in the North of Italy, surrounded by Juventus fans, who will no doubt want an Arsenal win. So do I.

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

How to Balance the Squad?

April 9, 2019

I still feel that one of our major problems is that UE has inherited an unbalanced squad that had been getting more steadily unbalanced over the latter few seasons.

In many ways it could be argued that UE is over-achieving with this current squad, but I also wonder if at times he doesn’t quite know how to set up what he has at present to give us a team where the players compliment each other and therefore give a more rounded and fluid performance.

Questions could be:

Do you feel the squad is unbalanced?
What do we need to do to improve the balance in the squad?
What are the orders of priority to be addressed?

If we are talking about ins and outs within the team in the summer TW it would be good if suggestions are quantified to fit within what is likely to be our financial constraints, rather than just a load of players that will exceed it, and therefore is not realistic

Another consideration is Ramsey. I like Ramsey, and ideally would have liked to keep him, but have always felt he was replaceable. More recently, however, he seems to have become increasingly important in our play.

Is this because he has now transcended to a different level, or is it more that he has a a style of play we are missing elsewhere in the squad, so his importance to us is overly magnified beyond what it really is, which is what I kind of felt with Sanchez in the last 2 seasons.

What he brings does seem to be needed to be replaced though, so how?

written by Gooner B

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Posted by Erik the Red

Time to Improve the Away Form

April 7, 2019

If I was unlucky enough to live in Lancashire (or is it Merseyside?), Everton would be my team though wearing blue and white would be an anathema. There is something regal about the red and white.

I mentioned in an earlier comment about Everton being a proper English club. What I meant was they have proper history; the first to play at Anfield, the first Liverpool club, decades of close run failure, and until recent times, not Oiled up. Fairplay to them. And I love their old fashioned ground, so much better than the soul-less bowls that modern stadium designers put up to maximise the brands profit (sadly a new ground is about to be built).

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It is unfortunate that Everton have run into a rich patch of form having just beaten the Chavs. This will be a tough test for our boys. But not impossible – Everton are not a Top 6 team and we have a good record at Goodison.

Their manager, Marco Wagner, has finally found a way to win after a dreadful (by their standards) start to his Everton career. A much vaunted manager, he has much to do if Everton are to break into the Top 6. I don’t see how it is possible but hope is eternal – especially in football.

As ever, control of the midfield will be vital and Everton have a fine midfield. I would have liked us to sign Sigurdsson (who is a perfect Ramsey replacement), he is a very dangerous player. Another transfer target may be Gueye, a fine defensive MF. Upfront Richarlison is quality and showing why the Toffees paid so much for him.

Expect Pickford and Keane to be on top form andf we are looking for a left back Digne would certainly fit into the AFC team, a younger Monreal.

Enough of the them,

Mr Emery has to find a way to improve our away form if we are to achieve our ambitions. I would start a similar team which thrashed Newcastle. Depending upon fitness,we should welcome back Xhaka for Douzi and Kos for Mustafi.

Arsenal have a very busy couple of weeks ahead and perhaps Mr Emery will allow Kos and Xhaka more recovery time.

You may have noticed that I have stopped putting up my anticipated starting team, there are two reasons; the first is that Me Emery is impossible to second guess and unlike Mr Wenger he tailors his team for the opposition. The second is I got bored with it 😀

Referee this afternoon is Kevin Friend who has only officiated one AFC game this season, giving out 7 yellow cards vs Burnley (we won 3-1). The dreadful performance of Taylor last week could have been costly, we must hope for better today.

Given the remarkable good fortune (read luck) enjoyed by both MU and the Chavs, we could use some of the same today.

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

The Run In

April 4, 2019

Can anyone explain the fixture list?

Why do Spurs have five home games remaining (4 after last night)  and we have 5 away? I know they play at Wembley which could have affected their programme but surely not to this extent.

Man Utd: 4 home, 2 away. We all know how much the FA love their pre-eminent brand, as do the big European clubs who still believe the hype about MU being a “Glamour Club” whilst knowing they are comfortably beatable.

Chelsea have 3 home and 3 away.

This gives a clear advantage to MU and Spurs.

Confirmation Bias? You bet.

Wouldn’t have happened under Herbert Chapman.

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BR

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Posted by Erik the Red

Magpies Munificence?

April 1, 2019

Firstly, thank you to all those who wrote posts during the interminable interlull, you are heroes to a man.

Tonight we get a proper game of football. None of that International nonsense – IMO the World Cup is interesting but the rest … mwaah.

Yesterday saw Spurs get Spurssy and both the Chavs and United once again bribing the officials (allegedly). The fight for the Top 4 is going to be very exciting.

Which makes tonight a must win game. You all know the runners and riders for the run-in so you are already aware that we must win our home games ahead of a tricky run of away fixtures.

Benitez brings an under-fire team to the Emirates. The fans are unhappy. The football the Barcodes are playing is uninspiring with a reliance upon defence, and we will witness this tactic tonight. Benitez has done a fine job under trying circumstances, working to reverse the decline in a huge club but narrowly escaping relegation is not enough. It wouldn’t be at Arsenal and neither is it at Newcastle.

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A blogger (can’t remember who) wrote that in the late 90’s Newcastle had the 5th biggest turnover in World football. Could they sign Shearer today? No chance.

Should we win tonight, it will be our 10th successive home victory, it would also give us more points than we won last season with 7 games to go. Mr Emery is doing well.

There is a fitness test for Xhaka but our other Internationals are fit and the remainder of the squad are rested and tanned following their trip to Dubai. Imagine how much money they must have spent in those fancy shops, it would be in the millions!

Newcastle have 9 clean sheets this season which is 4th best in the league ( I won’t tell you where we sit), so we can expect a frustrating night unless we score early. Given this, I anticipate AMN (Cons) will start ahead of Mustafi because we have no need to play a Back 4.

Is there a better creative midfield 3 than Mhki, Aaron and Mesut? Now Mr Emery has coached them to play together we look formidable. With Iwobi or Wardrobe supplying width on the left, we have balance. Terrier to replace one of the midfield should we be in front after 70 mins.

I am relatively confident, are you?

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

What makes a great Coach?

March 27, 2019

I have been watching with jaw agape the massive improvement in Raheem Sterling and wondered what has happened. This chap went from being a raw, undisciplined teenager at Liverpool into becoming, one of the best players in the PL. He excites. Then the penny dropped … Guardiola.

One of the essential qualities of the good coach is the ability to improve a player and help him reach their maximum potential. A manager/coach can come into a successful team and get them playing better – the new manager bounce is well known, but anyone can do that, think Roberto Di Matteo or OGS. It takes real talent to truly improve the team and the individual players, there are not many who can.

Of the current managers Klopp and  Guardiola are the first who spring to mind.

Klopp: This chap can clearly coach. Just look at Jordan Henderson. Used to be a Denilson, now a Gilberto Silva. Or Milner, was Stephen Hillier, now Ray Parlour. Up front Salah has gone from Sanogo to Ian Wright!

Guardiola: He has improved players throughout his career. Messi was a water carrier before Pep got to work (joke). Bernard Silva, Walker, Sterling etc are proof of his prowess.

Then there are the coaches who take a team and get them to punch above their wight – Eddie Howe and, this season’s probable Manager of the Year, Nuno Santo at Wolves,.

And what of our chap, Mr. Emery?

So far so good, but let’s look at how he is doing with individual players. Who has improved under his coaching – certainly Rob Holding. Before his injury the lad wasa revelation. Iwobi has become integral to the team. Xhaka is also much improved as is Lacazette. So, was Bellerin. The chap who has made the biggest advancement is Kolasinac, who has become an automatic first choice when last season he was a liability.

Young players are coming through under Emery’s tutelage with Douzi leading the way.

Players flocked to Wenger’s Arsenal because they knew he could improve them, I think Emery has the same ability – it bodes well.

written by BR

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Posted by Erik the Red

Who should be AFC Director of Football?

March 22, 2019

It seems we are in desperate need of a Director of Football. Apparently, Arsenal have failed miserably (once again) in their hunt for this Magic Man which makes us the laughing stock of the football world. We are officially “in crisis” 😀

As I understand it we have never had an official Director of Football (henceforth known as DOF) but if we need one let’s look at possible candidates …

Well, he clearly cannot be a red head. They just cannot do the job, hence the reluctance to give Mr. Sven Mislintat the job which led to his resignation. We have never been lucky with redheads – Willy Young struggled, Alan Ball was better at Everton,  Steve Sidwell at anywhere but AFC. In fact I can’t think of a carrot-top who has succeeded at THOF.

Marc “Roadrunner”  Overmars has chosen to stay at Ajax which must be to do with the Dutch cuisine which he clearly has developed a passion for (see below)

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There was talk of the Brazilian, Edu ,who attested to his love of AFC but chose to remain in a cushy job in a warm climate – and who can blame him.

Other candidates abound but we need an Arsenal Man.

How about one of the TV experts … Wrighty? Now that would be a laugh. Magic Man Merson – we need someone who can read and write. TA6 – imagine the mess after a year. Lee Dixon – possibly. MArtin  Keown – why not? George Graham – I would love to see him cope with the restrictions of working with the Kroenkes

We all know who is the only right and proper candidate  … step up to the plate Sir Arsene Wenger.

You have had your rest, you look back to your magnificent self and you know more about the club than anyone. You never needed a DOF because you are a DOF.

Mr. Wenger … Your Club Needs You

written by Big Raddy

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Posted by Erik the Red

The Genius Players of Arsenal and Beyond

March 21, 2019

A few days ago, Lionel Messi scored an exquisite goal. It was simply sublime in its apparent ease, and nonchalant simplicity.

There is an Italian word for this…….Sprezzatura
Def: The art of performing a difficult task so gracefully that it looks effortless.

I remember using this term here on AA a few years ago, although I cannot remember to whom I was referring. A good guess would be DB10.

We very briefly discussed this Messi gem the other day on here, and it led to an even briefer chat about other such great players that have graced the beautiful game. 

More often than not, when discussing the worlds’ greatest exponents of our beloved game, the names of Maradona and Ronaldo feature highly. Both sensational players, and both capable of turning games single handedly, but for me, they relied too much on blood, sweat and tears to wear the sprezzatura crown. 

I’m thinking of the Mesuts and Le Tissiers of this world…

One common denominator is that these silky players are more often than not the preserve of those in the attacking half. Were there defenders that also possessed this graceful elegance in their play? Maldini? Moore?

Finally, of course, The Arsenal players. Vladimir Petrovic? Alan Hudson? 

written by Micky Didit

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Posted by Erik the Red

Single or Double Fulcrum?

March 14, 2019

That third goal hurt. Before then I was convinced we would hammer Rennes at THOF. Now, I am not so sure.

And let’s be clear – we should win this tie. We have a budget of over 10 times Rennes. Lose and we have under performed but … what if we do lose tonight? Might it not be of benefit?

I have never subscribed to the belief that the Europa was there for the taking and that Arsenal would win easily. We are, at best, 3rd favourites with the bookies prediction for us to fall in the semi-finals, as we did last season. By going further, we MAY win it but we will have to play more games in an already packed run-in.

Forget the above nonsense, I am being a Doomer, must be Old Age. Let’s start again …

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Tonight has the potential to be one of the highlights of the season. Score early and the Emirates will be rocking, driving the team onto European glory. We had but 10 men for the majority of the away fixture and when we had 11 we were in control, I expect the same tonight. Some clinical finishing, some thoughtful and considered defending and hard work in midfield should see our class tell.

No Sokratis which is a blow, otherwise the team picks itself. Mustafi to replace the Greek Bloke, AMN to continue his fine form unless Mhki is back. IMO, we play the same team which beat Man Utd. It worked. If Mkhi is fit, does Mr Emery play Ozil? And if he does, does he drop Ramsey?

Of course, Mr Emery could choose to play more defensive and go back to the Double Fulcrum, dropping one of the strikers and starting Torreira But I hope he doesn’t, the Single Fulcrum fitted so well to the personnel.

I am excited about this game and really wish I was able to attend. Those European nights under the floodlights with the Emirates rocking make unforgettable memories.

A win on penalties would be thrilling, nerve-wracking but thrilling 😀

COYRRG

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Posted by Erik the Red

MU Pre-Match. Myths.

March 10, 2019

Man Utd Myths

  1. That a chap, however pleasant he is, can go from being manager of a piss-poor Norwegian team to becoming the New SAF in a couple of months.  He is riding a wave of post-Merino relief. Same happened at Chelsea post- Benitez. Just think of the CL winning manager Roberto Di Matteo – where is he now?

Is OGS a good manager? Possibly but an ape could have come into a dressing room full of highly expensive players and done better than the Portuguese.

2. Injury crisis. Much is made of the loss of their forwards yet at PSG they had England’s wonder boy and the most expensive CF in the league. In defence, MU have their first choice Back 5 (almost :-D)

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Nutty on the ground, as usual

3. The PSG victory is amongst the finest in CL history. Poppycock. MU were totally outclassed throughout the game. It was a travesty of justice, I cannot remember a luckier win. What may not be a myth is that MU have been blessed with the lucky stick.

4. MU are playing fine football. More cobblers. A midfield that focusses upon  kicking it’s opponents, a very muscular and physical backline does not make for entertainment.  The new boy, Tom Mac-something is a re-incarnation of that deeply unpleasant Irishman who battled our Leader, Sir Patrick. Keane was a vision thug and so id this chap.

5. Referees. It was never a penalty in Paris. Once again a referee chose to favour MU – it wasn’t the first time and will not be the last. Throughout their history they have consistently been given dubious decisions (who can forget the Rooney dive?). The chap who gave the pen on Weds is driving home in his new Ferrari. Today we have the dreadful Jon Moss, a man who has consistently been anti-Arsenal biased. Expect Xhaka to see Red.

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What is not a myth is that United have the world’s best goalkeeper, De Gea is almost as good as Schmeichel. Fantastic player who wins MU at least 10 points a season.

This afternoon:

If confidence wins games, and it often does, we are in for a heavy defeat. We were awful midweek but could and should have won at Spurs; hopefully the Spurs performance will be uppermost in our chap’s minds.

We have a lengthening injury list added to the ban on Terreira, so the team almost picks itself. I would certainly start with Ramsey. Do you think Elneny will get a few minutes – he wasn’t even taken to Rennes!

I wrote pre-Spurs that many were hoping for 2 points from the Spurs/MU games. I wanted 6, and we should be half way there. We are not but we can make it 4. MU are not invincible, they are a bunch of expensively collected mercenaries who are on a run of scarcely credible good fortune – it cannot continue.

written by BR and not to be taken seriously (evil grin emoji)

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Posted by Erik the Red

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