Good Morning Positive Arsenal fans,
Another morning, another inquest into an away defeat against an ‘Ammers side who I anticipated would be put away with a little bit to spare. The aim was to be back on level points with Chelsea by 3pm, even in we knew the chance of Newcastle getting anything at the Bridge was remote.
We started well, had control of midfield and possession in the Ammers’ half, opened them up in the first twenty odd minutes on two occasions, but fluffed our lines. The home side got back into the contest, managed a couple of half chances themselves with Anderson v lively, and young Rice misdirecting a header from one of their many corners. The first half ended a respectable 0-0. No worries.
We switched off at the start of the second half and were punished. A poor clearance, Anderson and Nasri combine to clip the ball into the Arsenal box. Rice in three clear yards of space. No second reprieve. I hope Granit reflects carefully on his part in what proved to be the turning point of the game.
Within 30 seconds of the restart Laca bearing down on the goal only to put in another underpowered strike. And so it went on really. 40+ minutes of us trying to break into the Ammers box, with a change of personnel, with Aaron and Lucas on, and a change of formation. To be fair, for about 10 minutes of the 40 , we showed a real sense of urgency in our play to recover the deficit. After that flurry though the final 30 minutes the Ammers held us off with some ease. 2 shots on target all afternoon. Really not good enough. Of our players who emerge with a scintilla credit on a grey afternoon I would give Alex Iwobi a pat on the back as when the ball was at his feet he put the opposition on the back foot. Kolasinac did OK in working the flanks, and Leno did nothing wrong all afternoon. Ironically Leno had a quiet afternoon by our standards, away from home.
So another week off and then the mighty Chelsea roll into town. They have the advantage of being able to play for the draw and maintain their comfortable six point lead. If they were to win then six would become nine points and I suspect that the finance bods in Highbury House could start budgeting for another Europa League bonanza for the 2019-2020 season. If we were to win however the route to 4th reopens.
KBO.
Positively Arsenal 
Maybe, but harmony and flowing football and understand and camaraderie,support and solidarity are potentially league winning formulas?
For me theres too much friction at our club, in all areas.
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Has anyone actually see the Sky Sport interview with Emery, as opposed to the “friction’ headline?
I ask that because the Spaniard does not appear to me to be the sort of bloke who says “Ooo I love to get friction going with the players, show then who is in charge” or ” I’ll get that bug eyed little bastard working his arse off with a bit of friction” – that sort of thing.
No – just does not seen right.
If you have seen it can you post a link ?
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Andy,you have to scroll down a long way to get the words that have been made into the big headline. Until I see the bloke actually saying these things on a vid, it still might be a work of fiction?
https://www.skysports.com/unaiemery
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fins the thing about Wenger almost leaving due to Stan coming in, it is not actually accurate to say AW seen or foreseen a problem with Kroenke, as in AW had no objection to Kroenke coming in, he only considered leaving cos his close friend David Dein had been shunted out of the club, AW had nothing against SK, he considered leaving AFC due to his friendship with Dein, nothing more, nothing less.
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Doesnt look like theres any vid, anywhere. Would be nice if the club could come out and say whether its bs or not.
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dave they quote him, all be it without saying what the questions where
emery quote in the artilce
“At certain times, you have to provoke friction with footballers,” he says.
“From that friction, you can get something more out of them, something from inside, a greater sense of ambition or maybe even a complaint – a complaint regarding the team can be positive.
“As a manager, you have to be careful because that friction can break a relationship. But I believe in always looking for more, both individually and collectively, with conversations which are comfortable but also with conversations which are less comfortable.
“In the end, the main thing with any footballer is that their qualities are used to benefit the team. As a manager, you have to get the maximum out of that player and at the same time make sure that he fits with the rest of the team so that everyone is better.”
“We know that we have to put pressure on the players, to push them,” says Emery. “So if a player is giving 70 per cent, he gives 80 per cent. Then if he is giving 80 per cent, he gives 90 per cent. There is always another step, another push. Psychology is an aspect which can help to find it.”
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Thanks Dave, I saw that earlier but I cant find any link to the actual interview in spite of my eye watering payments to Sky each month. It may be it will be shown later and this is just to get the crowd wound up – Causing friction even !!
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Personally i can’t imagine applying any friction, hitting the breaks, would’ve convinced Dennis bergkamp to sit on an aeroplane, or helped the aeroplane to take off. What with all that friction. Dennis’ level in those away games would’ve remained 0% even if the old gaffer had thrown custard tarts at him.
Likewise I’m guessing some “friction” will not convince a 30 year old darling of world football with plenty of support behind him in and outside the club to change his personality. Call me crazy but I’d be applying my own energies on something more worthwhile. And realistic!
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Andrew of course the media will put that in bold headlines. Why I said the other days Emery at times says too much and give these journos who loves a “friction” narrative too many and unnecessary soundbites.
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ah but fins the thing to remember is that Emery in not quoted in the article as saying he has caused friction with Ozil, or indeed with any particular player, if UE is a good manager then he will know which player will react to this friction in the right way, and which players need love and comfort, not friction.
by the way, exactly what Emery means by friction might be a long way from what any of us might think it means
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Eds
My instinct is the new gaffer won’t talk to the burning hacks abut Ozil missing most of 2018 through injury as he logically wouldn’t want to affect his reputation and value (if he is struggling), same as showed when kindly respecting Cech at the start of the season.
Exactly the same stories surrounding Ozil as with the old gaffer this time last season. Hehe. When he was injured…
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< Burning/gurning hacks: take your pick!
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click likes from me for all the above and previous page. Also want to say cheers and thanks to you all, you guys bring up lots of interesting things and discussions-always a pleasure to read. Up the PA!
COYG!
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Arsenal FC
Verified account @Arsenal
1h1 hour ago
We are freezing our prices on all general admission and club level tickets next season
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That’ll calm the mob down!
Outstanding PR *facepalm*
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Unai’s English is terrible, he cannot discern one sentence from another they all flow in to each other. This is not the very Audible and very linguistic Arsene were talking about here.
Anything Unai said should be taken with a pinch of salt he probably has no idea what friction means in an aggressive sence.
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Ian, Are you suggesting Emery doesn’t know what he’s saying? I could buy into that.
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george I think there is more chance the players don’t know what Emery is saying
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You don’t need to transform a club that’s recently won three cups in four years. Evolve, sure. Build upon, who could argue. Improve, why not!
Transform?
Indeed transforming the business model (hi Raul!) was mine and Shotta’s big concern, alongside the likes of the Great Bob and Arsene Wenger:
“Protect the values of the club”
Maybe they meant:
“Hari-Kiri” and not “Transform”?
I’ve got no choice but to hope that is indeed a poor translation (with my spelling and grammar I’m not going to be critical!)
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< hara kiri
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Our defenders seem to have a bit of difficulty following instructions – particularly away from the Emirates – and its not just recent – you may be on to something here
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You mean since the club won back to back golden gloves as recently as 2016?
Oh. Silly me. I see what you did there Andy, and yes I think I agree with you as everyone out there can judge whether Mustafi has the temprement to be a top fight CB or not.
And I also agree that he was NOT the in form CB at the club at the end of last season. Hehe.
It’s not a slur on his ability. In cricket some have the temprement to play as an opener, and most don’t! Sport innit.
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As for transforming I’d like to see the Arsenal side that transformed Tottingham a few weeks back turn out on Saturday evening, rather than the mob who shambled about for most of the game at the London Stadium. Even the side that clumped Fulham would probably do. We were close to taking something from the Bridge in August so it is perfectly doable.
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It’s going to be tough on those who lapped up the poor defensive coaching meme just one season after consecutive golden gloves.
People are entitled to their opinions, and the record is there for all to see.
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Back to back golden gloves – almost unbelievable it is the same Keystone Cops unit who turned out at Anfield in the first half.
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Our away record from January to May 2018 was there to see, if you weren’t hiding behind the sofa. Some truly shockers, I’d say Swansea and Brighton stand out in the shoot yourself in both feet displays. Players ? Coaching ? Even AW admitted he had no explanation.
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That team against Tottenham in the league had more then one match fit CB. Those were the days!
And one CB who excelled at playing out. Like Chambers who did this for a full season successfully at boro and Southampton and also partially for Arsenal in the PL (think you forgot that in your effort to support your opinion above…)
Or koscielny, think he might now be ready for a PL start, he’ll have lost an extra yard or two, but hopefully better then last season as he’ll be less groggy.
And having defenders who can play out, when you want to play out, it gives the CMs that little bit extra space, from where they can act like the old midfield generals, dictate play, or any other beloved football cliches you’re itching to use in a sentance!
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I’m confident though – no more of that sort of thing.
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Sheesh. Watching Thierry v Viera and the difference between how they are using VAR inFrance and trials here is massive.
Been to pitch-side monitor three times so far.
1. Nice score. Player won high bouncing ball in battle with defender. VAR (on automatic check after goal?) flagged possible handball. Was shoulder and maybe tiny bit of high arm. Ref checked. Goal
2. Nice player commits foul just off camera, opponent lets out squeal. Ref moves in quick with yellow card. VAR checks- automatically or because they think something in it?- player still down I think, which made it easier for game not to restart. Anyway, ref advised to use monitor. Checks number of angles. Definite grounds for sending off. Caught knee with studs. Changes original decision and issues red.
3. Nice player goes on incredible run before going down in box for what looks stonewall pen. Ref gives it after couple sec delay. Stops to listen to VAR. We see replays and while looks sure pen from most angles from one looks like defender’s leg stopped short of foul and attacker sneakily initiated the contact. ref checks same angle 10-15 times…pen stands.
I think the process absolutely dead on, particularly on 2. where the yellow was quickly given, VAR recognised strong case for red, let ref know, who then had to make call.
On 3, that one angle sure made it look like player bought it, but seems much much more acceptable to me the way it went down- with ref getting to look at plenty of replays before making his final call, than our way (would either go up and be quickly waved on under ‘not clear and obvious’ mistake…or, very occasionally, just maybe, they would overturn it, without ref getting another look)
Lastly, think human nature could be huge factor in calls like the pen one. In this case, ref had reduced Nice to ten men with use of VAR so it made it a different call for him later on than had that not happened.
That’s natural and acceptable to me. Though of course the stakes et al are a bit different if it were your team.
It’s just no fucking contest to me which way is best.
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Our away record collapsed alongside the strength in depth at the back, as Koscielny’s season was evaporating in a haze of pain, Holding completely out form, mertesacker playing on in the PL at the wrong time like SL this season.
Yes. I saw the football.
Especially the bizarre Stoke game and the memorable away performance from the official, and that thereafter, and unlike some I can comment upon both.
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Ive said Fins – your support of Chambers and his allegedly in form displays is creditable. I don’t recall one to be honest though I’m sure there must have been one. Which game or games in 2018 or any other season should I be looking at to spot this top CB performance ?
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Before the toys fly out the pram:
Acknowledging the error with the great BFG last season and for example with SL this season is not an example of the blame game.
Calm yourselves.
It’s reflection and thoughts upon the composition of the squad, however it was made, by whoever…which I didn’t know last season, or this! Glad we cleared that up.
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Again you resort to misinfernece without a quote.
Consistent poor form. Unlike Chambers!
Little bit sad tbh.
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Ah yes – our away form last season was down to the Referees – I forgot all about that.
On the Mertesacker one year contract extension after his Cup final performance who could have done otherwise – damn shame we let Gabriel go but at the time it looked the best arrangement. Hindsight eh – 20/20 advantage for the armchair expert.
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Very poor technique. In game that’s all about technique.
I blame the over defensive coaching in this particular instance.
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So come on Fins – which game was Chambers “in form” – you have whetted my curiosity!!
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as anyone can read it doesn’t matter what people write or say, if you don’t like it your magic translator can make up any old gibberish! Just like immediately above.
Except I was commenting on the CB numbers here before the BFG was even mistakenly called on after one professional game of football in 18 months.
I’m tempted to ask if you understand what a professional sport is but I wouldn’t want to offend.
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The old trick question eh?
I’ve already mentioned when with references to a particular football match including the opponent/period.
Ah well. I guess you misread it! As per form.
If anyone’s to blame it must be my spelling.
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What’s the opposite of ‘get a room’?
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Has anyone on this forum ever been critical of the Mertesacker call in 17/18?
General Hindsight needs to go easy with those tasty mushrooms.
It was a perfectly understandable call for a loyal club servent one which he’d earned the right to.
Same as with Ramsey.
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Just caught nice interview with Gabriel Paulista.
Talked about club with huge affection. Nice to see.
Also gave an account of Chelsea game he was sent off in. What a travesty that was. Mentioned his disbelief ref was doing absolutely nothing after Costa’s initial spot of craziness.
Detail I’d forgotten is that at the last bit Dean is stood there very calmly as Costa moves in a final time to get in Gabriel’s ear…and there are very visible scratch marks on Gabriel’s neck.
Now after Dean had also been stood close by just earlier when Diego was grabbing around Gabriel’s face shouldn’t that have been enough for him to put two and two together…although Costa had also done enough for a red with his initial pawing around Kos’s eyes and then squaring up to him with a chest bump?
Anyway, fucking hideous day that was.
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rich is it, behind the bins, banned smiley thingy
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“Protect the values of the club”
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Don’t know prog by way, but end credits say ‘premier league productions’.
Think it’s regular prem show on BT.
Enjoyed watching someone talk about the club with respect and the happiness it gave him to play for us.
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Rich
Outstanding performance in the 2017 semi final agains Guardiola’s City.
Gabriel hadn’t been starting very frequently but as he had more then one game under his belt in the previous 18 months he had some form to build upon.
not sure if we can class him as a very top level CB, as I don’t know what it takes hehe!
But if we’re looking at new fantasy CBs and ignoring damaging departures (an example of good technique?), I’m going to add the currently popular name Koulibaly to my wish list. Not sure why but on Wikipedia it lists his height at 2.95 meters which is just over 9&1/2 feet! Should meet your criteria/check list too!
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IMHO, we made a big mistake in selling Gabriel, and a few of these I can think of recently. Could have done with him many times since, think with a greater number of games, he would have become a very useful defenders.
Correct, that game was a horrendous day.
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I’m off to see Le Coq, Gabriel and Santi next weekend at the Mestalla. I liked Gab, cold eyed assassin as he occasionally was.
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Sokratis is a good replacement for Gabby? I have that impression.
With Koscielny naturally waning I imagined that the club were hoping for one maybe both of the younger two and/or the rookie to come through and make up the numbers for 19/20 alongside a new CB in the summer.
But as my understanding of the club’s consistently patient method might be now out of date, as rumours of a catalyst for change circulate, who knows!
I think the players on the pitch on Saturday will play well & if the current three CBs stay fit for most of the rest of the season, maybe four if the rookie returns, I’m hoping to see consistent form matching what we saw in November return. If Ozil can stay fit for a spell that will also help!
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I’m warning to Sokratis – I’d expected a bit more of an agile/vigorous player but he is much more Rick solid – improving combination of footballer and sly fox though
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–
Wenger vs. Biesla would’ve been cool.
IMO Biesla is Leeds’ best hope of a renaissance in a long long time. Could be very wrong given his record of late in club football but there’s no doubting his status, influence, popularity and greatness.
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