Good morning Positives,
I can still feel the damp discomfort of last night’s result but the effect is gradually reducing, dulled by time and the opportunity to review the event and look forward.
It would be difficult for anyone to add much more to Arsene’s comments about the game pivoting on a number of mistakes by us, from experienced defenders on several occasions and the absolute howler from Cech. Having had a second watch of the ‘highlights’ this morning that we went home beaten 3-1 was not as bad as it could have been.
I think as well as those crucial lapses there was just not enough quality in our attacking threat. A beautiful ball from Mesut and finish from Nacho for our first, a bit of trickery from Alex Iwobi, some nice movement from Aaron and Laca but it was nowhere near enough to unsettle the Swans back four. I watched Klopp’s Liverpool lose at the Liberty last Monday, and Fabianski put in a MOTM performance and made a 10-12 excellent saves. Last night he had perhaps 2-3 stops to make. I saw a little bit of what I wanted from Henrikh but it was no night to make your debut, chasing a game in a monsoon.
A man I would excuse from criticism last night was Mo Elneny. He put in one goal saving tackle in the first half that was almost perfect. Not the man to replace as it turned out or the time to replace him, thought at the time I can see why the change was made.
Apart from the instinct to chase the players and the managers’s through the streets demanding their blood and waving a rope can we earn anything from last night ?
Well my fourpence worth would be to decide to either play with a back four, or a back five. I don’t care which but stop changing from one to the other. Hector and Nacho seemed to be playing very wide and up the pitch, as wing backs in fact, leaving Kosc and Mustafi on their own. When Mo went off their isolation became critical.
At the other end of the pitch we saw the home side much better able than us to find space around and to open up the gaps in our defence, and they did that by aggressively running with the ball at their feet towards the aRsenal goal, inviting our defenders, Mo and Xhaka to either get stuck in or get out of the way. It was the SPEED at which they ran towards the defender with the ball that fractured us, not the quality of the attackers’ touch.
I would finally say a deserved win for Swansea. Clucas, Ayew and Mawson all stood out as impressive but a very good ‘team’ performance. Considering a few of them had played 90 minutes against Notts County in the Cup on Saturday they kept at it to the very end. If they are able to continue with that they surely will not end up relegated.
So six days on from the burst of joy and adrenaline the win against Chelsea gave us we bumped back to earth on the green, green grass of home.
We are fortunate to have a game on Saturday to clear the head and set the course for the run in with 13 PL games to go. Enjoy Wednesday.
Positively Arsenal 
Andy showing it is actually possible to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Just one thing, its now possible to run at speed at a team that has basically set up with 9 at the back.
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You run at a defender in the box then they have a decision to make, by trying to assist round hem we don’t seem to rattle them. One thing Jack has brought is more direct dribbling aimed at the opposition goal.
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What I’m about to say should be prefaced by an admission that I feel absolutely broken after last night’s game. Here we go.
I can understand that last night, the pitch was a disaster. I can even understand that most pitches in the PL are not up to standard. I can understand that probably no pitch is as good as the Emirates.
But can someone please explain to me why our players, away from home, look like they are stuck in mud all the time? Its not even just about yesterday, we just look like its a video game, and somebody put a 30% handicap on our ability to traverse space and turn. Everything is sooo laboured for everyone, is it just me who feels this way? I am flabbergasted by this, I cannot understand it.
Hate to single out people after a performance like that, but man did Xhaka disappoint me this season. I enjoyed watching him so much last season, but not only has he not kicked on, but I don’t know what he adds to our game at the moment that Elneny can’t do 3 times better. Especially if we are to stick with the 3 man MF, he seems completely lost in that advanced role.
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Only watched the highlights. Weak and a total lack of players taking responsibility.
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Nice one Andrew… a review that invite discussion after a heavy night, unlike the effigy burning and pitch fork gang thats out for blood elsewhere.
In these losing causes it’s usually the same players not doing themselves any players. Perhaps it’s time for Xhaka getting a break, just to have a hard look at himself, as well as Cech. I know many are longing for Szcz but I still have hopes for Ospina being our long-term GK, he’s a great back-up GK to have but also better than just being a back-up.
Nothing like a few deadline day signings to lift the gloom off this day.
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I agree with running at defenders, even if they park the bus. Space will open up, if a player takes responsibility to try to make something happen. Do we have players that can beat their man one on one consistently though?
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I’ve said nothing for the past few games as my view after the West Ham game may have dampened the euphoria. It’s quite understandable to ease off at 4-0 up, but where did the sloppiness come from? It got worse after the break with Oz and Jack leading the way and the rest followed their lead. That game should have finished at least 6 – 0 Jack may well have made a big difference last night but we were simply outplayed when it mattered,
A quote from a terrorist that i read when he was asked if his squad should infiltrate the defenders slowly and secure their position was apt. ‘No, you attack them at speed. Slow lets them reorganise their defence, At speed, they’re too busy filling holes.’
Swan’s defence was already in place so imho we desperately needed speed down the flanks, Which didn’t happen. Tip-tap through the middle time after time was not an answer. Yuck, that was ‘orrible.
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I agree about the speed down the flanks Ian. The more important point is not relying on what seems to be a single approach to breaking through a defence. Laca looks tightly shackled game after game. He got his first goal in ages against Palace and I thought that might give him a boost and give him more confidence but since then he has remained a peripheral figure, running and working hard but very rarely creating danger or hitting the target. Hopefully (crosses fingers) Mhki may offer a bit more variety
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Last night was fucking awful, but shit happens. I’m sure the players and manager feel worse than me and will do their best to not let it happen again. Of course it will happen again, but between times I will have a lot of good times.
This is the life we choose. It’s our choice. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. The bad times just make the good times all the better.
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well last night was an example of something I mentioned a few weeks ago,
our passes are causing the slowness in play, we pass not to where the player is running to, but to where he is at that time, meaning he has to stop and control the ball, and turn to face attack again, that second or two, is enough to see the chance gone, the defense back in place.
its not entirely the passers fault, as also far too often our players come towards our man with the ball. Last night on so many occasions we had lots of players up in attack, but all standing beside a defender, making it easy for Swansea. In fact I would call it hiding in a crowd. Very disappointed by the lack of movement from Lacazette. He did improve a lot in that aspect in the second half.
others have mentioned it, why do our players look like they are very unfit, no energy, no tempo in our away games, and lots of home games too.
Are we actually lacking enough players with real speed in them. None of our midfielders have blistering pace, not sure apart from Bellerin if any of the defenders have either, and Bellerin has not been showing that speed for some time. And none of our attack has va va voom.
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The club have taken on board your comment eddy !
https://www.arsenal.com/news/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-signs-club
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I admit I was beginning to wonder if this transfer merry go round would all fall apart.
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less than 12 hours of the transfer window to go, so here is a small update of what seems to be happening regarding AFC
Batshuayi is undergoing his medical at Dortmund, meaning the Aubameyang deal is a step closer to completion, which probably means so is the Giroud deal.
Debuchy is very close to completing a move to St Etienne
Reine-Adelaide is in talks with Angers about a loan move.
Here is an out there one
alex song is training with Arsenal — probably only to keep his fitness up
rumors that Arsenal have made moves for Johnny Evans and 1 other defender. WBA seem unwilling to sell this late in the window.
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great news about Aubameyang deal being done, not sure what that will mean for Lacazette’s place in the team, will we go 2 up front,
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https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/958659410296963073/YEUZP0mg?format=jpg&name=600×314
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It is true that bad results happen, but we always seem to have them around the same time in the same way and when we have a chance to gain ground. Something is amiss here.
No less support from me all the same. Fix it Arsene, that’s all.
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alex song training at AFC today
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Zorc on Aubameyang: “Apart from the unpleasant events of recent weeks, we like to remember that the story of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at BVB for more than four years was a single success story.”
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Bild claim Mesut Ozil has agreed a new contract with Arsenal
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Giroud is reportedly at Chelsea’s training ground to complete his move.
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James Pearce
Verified account @JamesPearceEcho
1h1 hour ago
What a day. Sky reporters stood outside empty training grounds in the rain uttering the words: “Of course anything could happen.”
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Thanks goodness for a signing to take some of the sting out of yesterday.
I still think it’s a mistake to let OG leave for a team where he is in no better position for guaranteed playing time than at Arsenal. We are strengthening a direct rival for top 4 by giving them an experienced and reliable player. Lacazette has not exactly set the world alight (yet) and Auba has never played in the PL. We’re one injury away from disaster. It’s a huge risk so I really hope it pays off.
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not confirmed yet, but it seems Ozil has signed his new contract
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David Ornstein
Verified account @bbcsport_david
8m8 minutes ago
EXCLUSIVE: Mesut Ozil signs a new three-and-a-half year contract to remain at Arsenal until summer 2021. Becomes highest-paid player in club history on around £350k per week before tax. Deal agreed last weekend, signed at Colney this morning. Could take him to 8yrs at #AFC & 32yo
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Slightly uplifted finally seeing PEA officially attired a gunner.
Welcome to the greatest show in football.
Dunno what to say to Alex Song training with us besides,
“If it looks like an ex-player who’ll play DM for cheap, then it will become a new player who’ll play DM for cheap”. Typical AW move.
I guess this was the surprise Balague hinted at last week.
6 years later..hope he’s still fit…hope it works out.
He is “one of ours” after all.
My clamouring for Fabinho or Romeu just got trashed.
Oh well.
Slightly over 10 hours to bring in an experienced CB. Is it to be David Luiz or Jonny Evans? If OG12 went for 18m, how much would either cost?
Oh no more than 18m of course.
It is AW after all.
About last night….
Elneny, Mesut, Mikhi & Kos played well enough to me.
I still feel OG’s abrupt exit had the whole team frazzled.
We at least lost to class opposition that should remain in the EPL.
Generous generous Arsenal.
Many more tests to come
The faith remains.
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Great news today to hide yesterdays result Auba signing and Mezut signing a new 3 1/2 year deal.
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*Oh, not more than 18m of course.
Ozil re-signing would definitely shoot up the meter.
FANTASTIC once official.
Now we’re talking.
Come on Jack..your move…carmon!
Thanks for everything OLIVIER GIROUD
All-round class act…pretty as hell too.
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Julio Pleguezuelo has joined Gimnastic Tarragone on loan for the rest of the season.
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ozil might have signed 350k a week but its almost the same as what he would have earned ifhe had signed 250k two years earlier.
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Arsenal Fixture News
🎗
@AFCFixtureNews
2h2 hours ago
#U18PLCup semi-final
Tottenham v Arsenal
#U16PLCup semi-final
Manchester City v Arsenal
Both matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday 17th February, but not confirmed.
These are one-off matches, going to extra-time & penalties if necessary.
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auba is an upgrade on sanchez. his height advantage and speed also makes him an upgrade on lacazette. a good deal for us but wont solve the present and immediate problem in our defence and defensive midfield. i’m already reading some line-up of laca, mikhi, auba and ozil. but who plays the DM? the decision to let coq go seems unwise to me.
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Arsenal are reported to be trying to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Max Meyer
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Aman bawo ni? fabinho is a player i like especially thathe will add the needed height tothe middle but we were never in for him. romeu?coq is far better.
song wont do any worse than xhaka. can do the long pass better and can dribble out of difficult situations but the occasional loss of concentration as well as lack of pace will still cost the team. but if we’ll not see any DM addition, song and indeed niles should have a shot.
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reports from France say Giroud deal with Chelsea is agreed, £19M fee, and he has signed a 18 month contract with an option of an extra year.
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Layksite mo wa…
Fabinho was me fantasizing bro though I beg to differ on him being inferior to Romeu or Coq.I clearly remember how well he played against us in the CL a few years ago
Everything about him is perfect for us..
But now that AFC’s re-upped Ozil, there’s not enough cash for all these signings/salaries all at once.
If between now and season’s end the trio of ‘Neny, AMN (& Song*) cannot do the business, then I expect DM will be prioritized, hopefully along with GK & RB in the summer.
Shoot, if Fabinho were also good between the sticks, we might not have a choice but to snap him up!
Silly season ends in a few hours…
Exciting times ahead
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A poor night by all accounts and thanks for all the comments and commentary. Some years ago I wrote (after a trip to Palace?) that I felt we needed to have two styles of play (or player): one to enjoy the slick surfaces at the top grounds, another to negotiate longer, muddier grass. Every other sport I can think of, with the possible exception of synchronised swimming, understands the need to adapt to different conditions, but we don’t. You simply can’t play the Arsenal way when it is like it was last night and to try to do so is madness. I can remember coming off a a Links course and thinking that if I had tried to play less well I would have played better (or at least scored better): by trying to hit greens in regulation I ended up in all sorts of trouble, when adopting a more conservative approach and laying up would have been wiser. I wonder what would happen if on a night like last night we went to try to secure one point and played in a much more direct way.
And well done to our negotiators on getting Ozil to stay: that strikes me as very good news, even if I wouldn’t necessarily employ him on wet nights in Wales – not because he can’t do it, but it seems a waste of a skill set to try to make him.
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eduardo,
interesting how “no one” noticed how the “magnificent 7” became the “magnificent 6” with the Catalan payback scheme’s first act…
Makes our PR department look a bureaucratic afterthought that needs to be upgraded.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became our club-record signing when he joined the club on Wednesday.
We sat down with the Gabon striker to discuss becoming a Gunner, his playing style and his admiration of Thierry Henry.
This is what he said:
Pierre, after all the talk and all the speculation, you’re finally an Arsenal player. How does it feel?
Finally! I’m really happy to be here. Of course I can join Micki in this team, so I’m really happy to be here in this great team.
What is it about Arsenal that you like so much, that appealed to you?
I think the club has such a big history and great players like Thierry Henry. He’s an example for us strikers. I’m really happy, like I said before.
What is it about Thierry that you loved so much?
Because he was fast and scored a lot of goals. He’s really an example.
Sounds like you…
Maybe! I think I have to work a lot to be like him, but I will do.
How would you describe your playing style?
I’m a fast player and I score goals too, like Henry a little bit. But as I said, I have to work a lot more.
Finally, what’s your message to the Arsenal fans?
I hope that we will come back to the top as soon as possible. I will do my best to join in.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/auba-im-so-happy-be-here-arsenal#t0wOtBgIol2JHjrV.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/auba-im-so-happy-be-here-arsenal#xYFSTIjAhtKEpBjk.99
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A terrible disappointment yesterday, and seemingly much excitement today, though tinged with sadness at Giroud’s departure. So it seems we’ve got Auba, Miki, and now OZIL signed on till 2021. Wilshere and Ramsey next?
Apparently another player in the works. David Luiz? Jonny Evans? Max Meyer? Who? Keep tuned to the transfer window deadline day drama! For once, I won’t begrudge it too much. (SMILEY SMILEY SMILEY)
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Aman too many fouls for my liking. at arsenal you cant get away with it.
this max meyer, is he a DM? if not, please no need bringing another player in who cant do any specific thing better than our home grown players
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trivia:
AUBAMEYANG, MKHITARYAN & MAVROPANOS are all 10-letter names….LACAZETTE, 9.
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Layksite..fair enough.
I think Max Mayer is an AM. If AW’s interested, it’d probably be in the summer when it’d be a free transfer.
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correction: Max Meyer is a CM..DM/AM.
preparing for life after Santi maybe?
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But Layksite…for AW4.0, I’d rather have Youri Tielemans than Max Meyer.
Not cheap but of the required quality.
Enough of this window already. One can’t keep on speculating
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aman but the guy hardly get game time at monaco. although he is still young but AMN is young as well. like i said earlier, i’m tired of us going to bring a player who is hardly an upgrade on whatever we have here. you see the whole atmosphere around the club because giroud is leaving. that is because laca is hardly an upgrade if not downgrade. although that has now been greatly mitigated by the arrival of auba who to me is aworld class. tielemans may still come good but if we are getting him now, we’ll be paying a lot of money for a player who may or may not fulfill potential.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
IMHO
More of a replacement upgrade on Danny Welbeck
He brings all the hallmarks
Wide forward to turn centre forward
Pace,finishing ability
Similar age
Aubameyang is what Danny Welbeck should have turned into , injuries have put an end to that, as he has lost a lot of time in his football developement due to them.
He is the fastest runner with the ball I’ve seen since Thierry Henry.
Has a very smooth and efficient running style better for football than Welbeck, it allows him to stay in better Head/body position to shoot than Welbeck.
I say once again I like Welbeck as a guy, but he is an austerity striker for a team like Arsenal, who are no longer in times of austerity. There is money in the bank ,young players being developed,new talent in the back room staff. Caluculations look like they have been made .
Interesting times.
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