Jack Grealish is backing up his good performances last season with a solid season this year.

He has already recorded more goals (8) this year, has created 52 chances (4th in the EPL) but ranks 1st in creating chances from open play (46 to 33 for Sterling who is second)) and is the most fouled players in the EPL (88 fouls to 66 for Zaha who is second). He is playing as a fake left-winger and is given a type of hybrid role where he can also play as a false nine. He is also a player that does not hesitate to contribute defensively and he is someone who will work his socks off.

Should we go for him?

1. Yes, he is on his way to become a top EPL player and is only aged 24 and can play as a CM, AML and FW. He could be Ozil’s successor in time as a 10 (his preferred position). Better to get him now than later…He seems to have the engine to meet the demands of Arteta’s intense playing style.
2. No, he is already too expensive for us (pbbly over 60 Mln EUR) and we do not want to limit the growth potential of Martinelli, Saka, Willock and Nelson.

What is your take on this very good but somehow divisive player…?

RC78

Well it’s not been an easy year to be an Arsenal supporter, but here we are still going strong, slightly battered and bruised but with renewed optimism now that Mikel’s sleigh has landed on our roof.

I’ll be honest, I’ve found it difficult to maintain my input on AA at times this season and have had to retire to a darkened room to execute a self imposed ban on all media. Thankfully the likes of Peaches, Rocky, RC78 and other much valued regulars have kept the ball rolling on here.

There’s one guy in particular who without knowing it has helped keep me going. I view him and what he represents much like the Unknown Soldier … even though I know his name … it’s Mike Steeden.

To me, Mike represents the thousands of Arsenal supporters who read our blog but for their own reasons don’t wish to roll their sleeves up and get down and dirty in the daily debate. Just knowing that something an author on AA has bothered to write has been read is reward in itself.

But Mike does one other thing … on occasion, when he thinks the author deserves it .. he ‘likes’ a post. You can tell when he has because his name and pictogram are displayed at the end of the post in question.

Mike is no pushover however. He’s discerning. He doesn’t ‘like’ every post, far from it, but when he does, I am always warmed by the fact that a post has received the MS seal of approval … it’s been awarded a ‘Steeden’ if you like. On the odd occasion he even likes one of my posts … what’s the betting he won’t this one 🙂

So a big thank you to Mike (sorry for blowing your cover), to our fabulous band of regular bloggers, and to all who visit and read AA … and to Arsenal supporters everywhere …  and since it’s Christmas … to everyone else on the planet … from all the team at AA.

Rasp

As an extra treat, Rocky has gifted us all his version of this well known classic Christmas poem ….

‘Twas the night before Arsemas, when all through N5

Gooners were dreaming our club would soon thrive;

The stockings were hung by the kitman with care

But the Emirates stadium was still cold and bare.

The players were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of title wins danced in their heads.

And Mesut in his jimjams and Bernt in his cap

Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap

When on the stadium roof there came such a clatter

I opened my window to see what was the matter.

Across Drayton Park I ran in a dash

And was up at the Ems in barely a flash.

The moon on the carpet of newly-mown grass

Shone bright on the strangeness now coming to pass.

For what to my wondering eyes should be there

But an open top bus pulled by eight spectral players,

With a spritely young driver, who held himself well:

I knew in a moment it must be Mikel.

He looked at his team mates all stripped for the game,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Now Dennis! Now Liam!

Now Adams and Seaman!

On Patrick! On Bobby!

On Charlie! On Lehmann!

Through the hole in the roof!

To the top of the stand!

Now pull away! Pull away!

We’re in Arsenal-Land.”

Just as Tiny Tott hopes wilt when May comes around

In that terrible toilet bowl they call a ground,

So gravity yielded with hardly a fuss

And up to the roof flew Mikel and his bus.

And then in a twinkling above the Clock End

Mikel stood surrounded by Arsenal’s legends.

As I drew my head in and was looking around

Down onto the pitch he came with a bound.

His shirt was all red, with two sleeves of white,

His hair made of plastic, his boots shining bright.

A coach’s fat file he held in his hand

Wherein winning tactics were perfectly planned.

His eyes all a-twinkle he began speaking most gently

While his famous old club-mates listened intently:

“Things have been tricky of late we all know,

We have felt like we have no idea where to go.

We have stopped being hopeful and started to fear,

But that can all stop because now I am here

To lead us to places where we’re meant to be

For we’re never vanquished: we’re Arsenal FC!”

The legends all cheered and pumped fists in the air

It brought tears to my eye to see how they cared.

At that moment the floodlights came on with a bang

And more legends were there to join with the gang.

There Kelsey, there Wrighty, there Henry and Fred,

Here Bastin and Wilson and Rocky the Red.

And now from the neighbouring streets did appear

A crowd in their thousands all wearing the gear.

They filled up the stadium from bottom to top

And still they kept coming, the flow never stopped

And from all their mouths one message rang true:

“We love you! We love you Arsenal, we do!”

Mikel sprang to the bus and yanked down the cord,

And pulled by the legends it lifted and soared,

And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight:

“Happy Arsemas to all, and to all a good night!”

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore.

RockyLives

I’ve been following Arsenal’s transfer dealings for many years now and know the signs when a deal is done … believe me … Mikel Arteta is going to be our next manager.

He’ll know the magnitude of the challenge he is facing – he saw it graphically on Sunday when City exposed the physical, technical and cultural flaws in our play.

As a supporter … (I’m speaking to you!) … do me a favour, if you want the best for Arsenal and are not waiting for the opportunity to say “I told you so” then this is all you have to do:

1. Be patient.
2. Get behind the players.
3. Get behind the manager.
4. Don’t judge until Mikel has had a chance to work on the squad and bring in some players.
5. Lower your expectations.
6. Applaud and enjoy when it’s good, encourage and support when it’s not.

As supporters we’ve gained (earned?) a reputation for being flaky, for not supporting as we should and for feeling entitled.

Currently we’re not being viewed as a top six club. We are not going to turn that around over night.

If we finish the season in the top 6 that will be a major achievement. If we don’t, see it as a stepping stone and let’s be optimistic that we can improve next season.

Rasp

I didn’t see the game yesterday but it comes across as Saka being the key player in this game. It’s exciting when the youngsters give you a vision of what they could become.

I also read a report that spoke highly of ESR. Maybe he didn’t shine as much as Saka, and he lacked some consistency in his input across the 90, but this report was praising him for many of his lay off balls, and his ability to receive the ball and drive forwards at pace.

This is something that has been sorely missing in our play over the last number of months, the ball carriers in midfield, and even the mid to lower table sides seem to have midfielders that are comfortable receiving the ball and driving through the midfield, while we adopted a pedestrian passing game with little direct running from midfield.

Until recently we have had those players that can twist turn and spin away from opposition players and drive forwards when able; Rosicky, Santi, Jack, Cesc. As we now try and redevelop this team it is important that we do so around midfielders who are comfortable in receiving in tight spaces and then being able to carry the ball, as well as being able to pick a pass.

This is where Xhaka falls down in that he always needs an available pass, rather than being able to receive and move with it if a decent pass is not immediately available. Hence the number of sideways and backwards passing.

However in Douzi, Willock, Saka and ESR we have those players that have the natural talent to do it and we must build around all those players. Each may find a slightly different position. For instance will Douzi or ESR become more the intermediate BTB type midfielder, or will they become the most attacking CM / number 10. Will Saka be a wing forward type or could he be the most attacking CM / number 10.

All of them will have games where their precocious talent shines and some games that will be a bit mehh. Douzi is probably slightly ahead because he has played more games with the first team while ESR for instance has been hampered by injury which has hampered his loan spells.

My gut instinct actually tells me that ESR has, at the base level, the greater natural ability in CM, and I have always said I see a young De-Bruyne in him. However I think all 4 should succeed with the right coaching, patience (when it doesn’t always come off), and emphasis on that quicker attacking style of play, and each may take up a slightly different role in the side anyway.

What has also hampered them all, and the team in general, is in not having the right DM (holding type DM) tucked in behind them. It is going over old news I know, but it is not just the team that has suffered from this oversight, but it could start to stifle the development of these young quality players.

This is why I would like Xhaka removed from the equation. I actually recognise many of his qualities, but they look more suited to a different league, and what he lacks for the EPL is, not only unbalancing the team, but is not allowing those young players to develop in their best positions with freedom.

Again my immediate solution would be to move Luiz forwards into the holding midfield role. In his absence we could play Chambers there. We should go and get a top CD in January as our main priority (say for instance Upemacano), and move on either Socratis or Mustaffi in Jan, with the other going in the summer once Saliba arrives.

Then we could go and try and source an up and coming Ndidi (rather than spend a fortune on the actual one), safe in the knowledge that we have cover in that role for a couple of seasons through Luiz and possibly Chambers.

Going into next season we could have our main CB’s as Holding, Saliba, Chambers, Upemmacano. We could have a holding midfield boasting Luiz and the promising new Ndidi, and across both the CB and holding midfield positions we know we can shift Luiz and Chambers into either role depending on where we are suffering the most with injuries.

Then just let the youngsters mentioned, including Martinelli and possibly John Jules and Nketieh, thrive and develop in the CM, ACM, wing forward and forward roles, with Ozil there as experience for 1 more season and one of Laca or Auba staying on (I think we will lose at least one of them).

GoonerB

Thanks to RockyLives for the title …

Now everyone knows it’s not becoming to take pleasure from the hardship of others … but on this occasion how can we resist 😂

Some comments during and after the game …

They’re playing a German team … so schadenfreude is appropriate

Kane penalty … who dived for that?

I wonder if Rose practices diving or if it just comes naturally to him. maybe he’s been having lessons from Ashley Young.

When does the DVD come out?!

No doubt Vertongen has gone to seek solace in the arms of… Eriksen’s wife….

Tiny Totts dispatched with Sergical precision.

Boris Johnson offers Mauricio Pochettino job as new Brexit secretary. ‘Nobody can get us out of Europe faster than this guy!’ explains the Prime Minister

Thanks for laugh dear neighbours … we’re looking forward to celebrating St Totteringham’s Day with you this season.