There is never an ideal time for any team to play Manchester City, whether home or away, but here we are.
Good day one and all…
It’s going to be the battle of the Spanish managers this afternoon as Unai Emery take his Arsenal side to the Etihad to take on compatriot Pep Guardiola’s Mancity. It was another of their countrymen though that outwitted the latter using vintage Rafa-ball midweek.
Before their unexpected 2-1 defeat to Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle the Citizens has been on a rampage, scoring 33 goals to just two in an eight-game winning streak. Following the SJP lack of inspiration Pep will demand a very strong reaction, so we can expect them to fight tooth and nail to not only put that disappointment behind them but to also reduce Liverpool’s lead in the log standings.
Arsenal have a different agenda though as we just want to ensure we stay in the fight for a 4th spot which is up for grabs between ourselves, Chelsea and Manutd – at this point still very much in our own hands.
Games against Mancity haven’t been easy for us in recent history and being down to the bare bones at defense was certainly the last thing needed in preparation for this trip. Mancity have scored 11 goals to one in the last four matches between these two sides, we also lost seven times in our last 11 visits there.
Given that record what Arsenal probably need to do is play from the back and hope to break on the counter but Emery said he will take Mancity on at their own game. To be honest I like it. Pep is not going to let that type of complacency at SJP happen at the Etihad and will pick an ultra-attacking lineup. so we might as well just go for it than to allow them to relentlessly build attacking wave after wave without getting a look in.
Going that route is going to be one enormous task but for the last six weeks all we as fans asked for, begged for, is for the team to get out of their shell and display the type of bravery that saw us going on that amazing unbeaten streak, and if that is something Emery want to go back to I think we should applaud it.
Attacking teams’ defense rarely get tested and if we can get both Aubameyang and Lacazette to run at them who knows, we may just win our first away game against a top-six side following a 20 winless streak.
With almost two thirds of the season done and dusted, it’s time that we put the foot on the accelerator. A must-win for both sides which could either be a thrilling contest or quite a long afternoon for us… but because I respect bravery I will definitely be rooting for the former.
@LaboGoon
Positively Arsenal 
mavropanos came on for mustafi
leno with another good save
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about ten minutes left and it looks a lost cause
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Aguero. Great player in his position.
Young Pep toyed with him but fortunately for City the conicided with a period where playing less helped him on the comeback from injuries. Eventually, well, quality always tells.
Another good save from Leno, followed by a couple of Arsenal attacks.
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Aguero. Great player in his position.
Young Pep toyed with him but fortunately for City the conicided with a period where playing less helped him on the comeback from injuries. Eventually, well, quality always tells.
Another good save from Leno, followed by a couple of Arsenal attacks.
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Fortunately Aguero comes off for a rest and City can’t convert after a loss of possession from the rookie.
And it’s a good thing it wasn’t Ozil losing possession like Suarez just did heh at least he can’t be blamed for that!
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Ah well. Always a hard ask.
Maybe it’s better to focus on the next game.
I hope that a fresh Ramsey and Ozil will be used to target those three points.
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FT: Man City 3-1 Arsenal
Kos with our goal.
Our defending left a lot to be desired, Lichtsteiner and Iwobi were a poor combo and it was them getting exposed defensively that led to all 3 of city’s goals.
we created very little, and the ball never stuck up front for us.
we face Huddersfield away next, then back to back EL games v Bate, then we have home games V Southampton and Bournemouth this month. We really need to win all of these as we have spurs, utd, wolves, plus hopefully two more EL games in March
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Losing away to City will not define our league season, but appalling defending, albeit with mitigating circumstances just might. Until we learn to cut out basic mistakes at the back, to stop the nativity, learn to concentrate as HT approaches, to stop behaving like willing gimps away to decent teams, top four will be a dream.ozil might not be the best at helping the defence, but neither are others, and do they have his qualities?
Some of these problems predate Emery, but he has yet to solve them, as ever, mitigating factors aside. I still believe Emery deserves something of a free hit this season when you consider what he has taken on, legacy manager, funding and all that. From the Josh K interview , it seems his position is extremely safe, but unless he sorts certain issues over the summer and next season, I fear our fan base may not match the patience of the Kroenkes. Some of his selections need further investigation and explanation. Think Jenkinson could have done something today.
The fact is , City are currently well ahead of us, Liverpool are out of sight, have spent a lot of money to plug faults, as have Chelsea, Spurs are feckin lucky, but can usually avoid our regular defensive implosions, as can Utd, Wolves, Leicester, Palace,and indeed much of this league and probably many others.
If Emery really needs to attain ECL football next year, it looks to me to be Europa or bust, unless the Gods of adequate defending suddenly pay a visit to Colney
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^ stop the naivety , I have nothing against the Holy Birth for the record
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And HTF are we 10 points behind Spurs, they aren’t even especially good, how have the mighty Arsenal sleepwalked into this?
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Özil’s salary is clearly a problem the owner has opted to solve by instructing UE not to “overplay” him. It makes absolutely no sense to me his omission has been for footballing reasons.
If they succeed and he ends up on another PL team….I just might not be able to handle it.
After a spirited first half Iwobi should have been off after 50mins max. Laca and Auba were non-existent, starved of the ball because none of our midfielders has the guile required to out-manouver City’s press. Rafa beat Pep tactically last week. UE keeps making Pep look masterful when it’s clear he’s really not. Bottom line….
WE ARE BEING UNDERMINED FROM WITHIN.
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On another note, big ups to Kos, Torreira, Leno & Guendouzi. They really did put up a good fight.
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our goals against figures are awful, only Bournemouth and WHU out of the teams down to 15th place in the league have let in more goals than us
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aman I really don’t buy this soundbite that KSE have instructed Emery to not pick Ozil, cos all KSE care about is getting back in the CL, they do not care if its with or without Ozil, I really believe that the exclusion of Ozil and Ramsey is all on Emery, he just does not see them as part of his tactical plan, and thats his right.
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But Aman, if Ozils salary is a problem, the owner must have signed it off in the first place? But I do think a few things seem to have changed upstairs, and maybe with Ivan and Wengers departures, but need to see what the summer brings as an indicator. And even if you are correct, Ozil can just sit tight and take the money?
Would make more sense to me to put an arm around him, and play him back to form?
Leaving Ozil and Ramsey out of a starting 11 is a hell of a big call when it goes wrong, if UE is being leant on from above to do such things, and to me, it is a very big IF, I suspect he will soon enough follow Sven out the door.
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No conniption fits scheduled for me this week. Not up but not too down after that.
Don’t see how anyone can ignore fact this top six away struggle is a long term ailment.
I get the argument if we’re likely to lose either way, better to do it with a more attacking set up, but I’m not sure it used to typically pan out like that- conceding lots of chances but creating a good amount as well, or just looking stylish even- when we did ‘go for it’.
I just hope it changes sometime soon and we can do better in these big away games.
Not sure what’s needed for that but seems pretty sure at least a couple of new faces and skillsets may be required. A fast dribbler- for breakaways but also to try beat a man out wide- seems an obvious means to try improve.
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I don’t see it, for me that brings to mind the old saying of when you hear hoofbeats think of horses not Zebras, I really think that this notion that KSE are telling Unai to not pick Ozil or Ramsey has its origins with those that were very anti Wenger and so are going to great lengths to make Emery responsible for nothing bad that happens now.
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apart from our goal from Koscielny we had one other shot on target, from Kolasinac.
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Eduardo do you not believe Özil was in the shop window last month? I do. Summer will reveal all. And if it is strictly UE’s call then it speaks of a tactical rigidity that I’m unimpressed by. It’s like keeping Dennis Bergkamp on the bench because he doesn’t always track back. Great players make other players better. Without Özil our chances of making top 4 are extremely slim. KSE & UE better get that in their thick sk**ls!
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seemingly we did not have a single shot at goal in the second half.
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Aman if you are trying to sell a player you don’t go out of your way to imply he is a waste of money, I believe its all on Emery, he don’t rate him as part of his tactical plan, same as with Ramsey, it certainly looks like Ramsey is leaving for free next summer, so Aman why is he not in the team, do you think we were trying to sell him too. Ozil and Ramsey are here till the summer at the very least, so the Club and KSE have no reason what so ever to instruct the head coach to not pick them for remaining games, there exclusion is down to Emery, and its only right he does as he sees fit.
I think that we will see even less of Ozil and Ramsey now Suarez is here, and once Mkhitaryan is fit again, both of them will be further down the selection pecking order. If Emery believes that what he wants will be delivered better without Ozil and Ramsey then he is 100% right to not pick them, but till I see our team improve without them then I will continue to think UE is getting it wrong.
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Rich it’s not an argument.
In that line up today it makes no Football logic Iwobi head of Ramsey or even Ozil. Not to imply the youngster is poor but he creates less an doesn’t defend better then two footballers a
at the peak of their game (if Ozil is back fit).
It’s not about attack vs defence.
It’s not about AW.
It’s baffling.
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Mandy, once our cultured gate keeper , who appreciates artists above grafters and was able to keep the crass profiteers away from murking up the balance knowing fully well it was the only way to navigate the decade plus of post-construction austerity, left the building, the de-construction began in earnest. Looks to me like the disciples of the bottom line are now fully in charge. UE’d best be wary and more respectful of Wengerball, the type of football gooners worldwide have been weaned on.
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“It’s baffling.” Sure is fins. Its beyond me too. Sort of makes you feel a bit sad to in a way also. If UE makes him capt v Hudds, then to me, it would be a sort of strange insult. Marky was onto something after the ManUre game when he said it was a bit Rioch like all of this.
Most positive thing I can see is that Mesut cant be blamed on twitter tonight…although he probably is.
Now we’ve got Wolves snapping at our heels, all seems a bit Evertonian?
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Might be better if I wait until tomorrow before doing the match report?
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Does it need one George ?
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When we talk about defending it really is the whole team midfielders not going with runners was happening from minute one and the second goal started with Auba commuting the wrong side and getting completely taken out of the game. If he stays goal side we go in at half time 1-1.
Once again we left so much space in wide areas and when crosses come in the midfield sat on the defenders so much city were able to camp multiple players in and around the edge of the box. This in turn led to giving city free shots on goal.
This clearly wasn’t Iwobis game and I’m surprised he was left on for so long. Aaron and Mezut surely would have made more of an impact second half than the tired performance we produced.
We now regroup to play many teams that won’t be as good as city and hopefully create a team that can play together in all areas and not just be good in patches.
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Does anyone wonder why we’ve loaned Den? Dont get me wrong I hope the blokes fantastic, but Rob and Hector wont be back this season, the Soks out for a month, Nacho and Mav are only just back, Jenks isnt a fav of UE-yet, Kos injury has left him a slightly different player,at last for this season. City decided that Licht was a weak spot and went for him.
Eddie is the only backup for Lac and PEA, yet the midfield is so strong we can leave out a WM winner.
Whats odd to watch is that we dont park the bus or play Wenger ball. Emery ball is a bizarre one to watch in some ways.
Anyway, the Arsenal stadium mystery wont be solved by me.
I still want us to win and for everything to be alright and for us to live happily ever after though. Just dont like being behind ManU and farting around with Wolves, Everton and Twatford. And the Spuds laughing and clucking.
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well Dave on a similar train of thought, it crossed my mind today that if as most seem to think we need to bring in 3 or 4 top class defenders before we can sort out the problems in our defending, and that we will be concentrating our signings to mainly defensive ones and we have a limited, even if substantial budget in the summer, what with so many players leaving off the payroll and new sponsorship deals starting, how many players can be brought in to improve our midfield or attack, will we be looking at going into next season with Ramsey gone, Welbeck as well and maybe Ozil too, with maybe only Suarez signed up full time, and possibly Nkunku as only addition in that area too, how will we fare if that is the case.
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I think we will win the Europa League because of Ozil and Ramsey’s mid-winter break.
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fair point Ed, certainly part of the overall picture. Did we need Den now, and why not later in the summer? As I said I havent a clue whats going.I have a lot of questions that cant be answered, but all I can do is either have a chat with ye all, or sit and just watch. Despite all I still feel its not done and dusted yet.
Anyway, night all.
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foreverheady I think that their mid winter break will likely continue in similar fashion for rest of the season, maybe even more of a break now we have suarez, and Mkhitaryan is coming back from injury.
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What is happening with ozil.is exactly what happened with neymar last season.
It looks like ue will.not tolerate a talented player who does not fit into his team of automstons who do exactly what they are they are instructed to do.
Did he leave psg or was he pushed?
Have we made a big mistake here?
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He was on a 2 year deal and PSG choose not to renew.
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seemingly he has a 2 year plus a one year extension option that AFC can use
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Yes, we have made a mistake. Another team fired their manager and the same team with the same players are unbeaten. I hope the powers that be are brave enough to do the same because we have an ego problem. I am starting to wonder if someone is playing a cruel joke on Arsenal supporters, because this makes no sense.
On a positive note, I rate most of our players highly. There is enough talent in the team to secure the top 4.
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paul that is an overreaction, we might not like what we are seeing, but we can’t become the sort of club that sacks managers willy nilly. We can still make top 4 and win the EL, this season is far from over.
i do think that if UE can’t find a way or does not see Ozil and Ramsey as part of his tactics he really should have got them out the door in January, as I feel that having them and not starting them is one of the main reasons why we are worried by Emery’s tactics and team selections. If those two guys were not here, fans would probably feel Emery is picking the best he can and would be giving him more slack. We are second guessing him now on everything, but for me I think most are doing this cos they feel its such an error to leave those two guys out. You know paul, we might be wrong and he might be right.
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Ed, it absolutely pains me to say this but I think you are probably right. When I think of Arsenal in recent years I have Ozil and Ramsey and Wilshere at the heart of my golden memories. Reluctantly I can see someone else thinking that if AW had built his side round three different midfielders the side might have done rather better.
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Morning all!
Eduardo, sorry bro. The club need get rid of him and his tactics. I am not overreacting, I have thought this way before this awful down turn. Team selection matters, balance matters, playing your best players matters. It is not just about Ramsey and Ozil either. What kind of team selection was that when we played Cardiff? Don’t you think the players look at the team sheet and question like we all do. But do you think these players have gotten bad just so…tactics my foot. Arsenal ought to be the kind of team that do what best for the club. It’s obvious to me, the players have lost faith and the morale is low.
Top 4? We are going to get out United and Chelsea the way we are going when we are scraping wins and losing against inferior teams?
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We cannot think of other players, you work with what you have until you get what you want. So he is going to rip the players of all confidence because they are not his type and worse start inferior players?
Again just look at United. Same players who were riding the bench. Emery has succeeded in making people believe its all the players who are just not good and a whole bunch of money needs to be spent. I for one reject that. And, is that fair to the players, when the man is putting them in the right place to even play as a cohesive unit?
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man is Not putting them…
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Rumours (T Sport) Harry Kane will be ready to play some part in the Dortmund game, goes without saying he will be ready for us.
Just how does that man recover so quickly, compared to our players at least?
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Falling out with Brand Neymar and his entourage is one thing.
Most people would applaud!
Falling out with two bona fide club legends the likes of which Neymar will never be in one manouvre?
Most people would think of hari kiri and other acts of self harm.
Regarding thoughts above on the AMs.
Xhaka came perhaps a season later then hoped for but we do understand that Arsenal have to be patient with rebuilds and that’s why we no one groaned whilst waiting for Torreira and Sokratis to come in so late to replace Coquelin & Gabriel.
Others have said that Lacazette arriving earlier would’ve made a huge difference to the squad.
No it’s not the attacking CMs that cost AW, that is incorrect.
They helped him to three cups in four years and that’s not an opinion but the record *coughs x2 Cup winning goals for starters*
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Getting a bit frustrated with people not engaging with the facts our big game record has not changed much from recent seasons.
My impression, without knowing much for certain beyond the long term appalling top six away record, is that the results are much the same.
Last season definitely it seems.
1st thing I could find was after 9 of the 10 games last year we had won one, drawn three, lost 5; 9 for 19 against. Think the 10th game was probably the 2-1 loss to utd- so 1 w, 3 d, 6 L; 10 for, 21 against ; 6 pts (-11)
After 8 this year we are 2 w, 2 d, 4 L ; 12 for, 18 against; 8 pts (-6)
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16-17 : w 2 d 3 L5; 9 pts ; gf 15, ga 18 (-3) clean sheets 2
15-16: w 2 d 5 L 3 ; 11 pts ; gf 15, ga 15 (0); clean sheets 1
14-15: w2 d 5 L 3 ; 11 pts ; gf 14 , goals a 13 (+1); clean sheets 2
13-14 : w 3 d 3 L 4 ; 12 points ; gf 9 ga 19 (-9) ; clean sheets 5
There’s not a huge amount in it on stats front at least. Glancing through results to stir memory, seems fairly stable, we are doing a bit better against Utd post Fergie, but have been doing worse against City and Pool last year or two. Home record not bad, away awful.
Clean sheets last year 2; this year 1.
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I’m no closer to starting the review. Still furious.
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If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing.
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Rich up until the last two seasons the City Arsenal games have been the best football games in the league.
Last season the squad was at it’s weakest since RVP waltzed out the door. This season with a stronger squad no shots in the second 45 is a damning statistical comparison with the home league game last year which was the second loss to City in a week, a game a horrific memory which I was watching through tears replaying and refracting Mustafi’s amazing unseen before at this level error (for me at least!) in a cup final, and the effort in the second half was statistically poorer then that awful experience in the league game on the heels of the cup final horror. Objectively.
The difference for me was on this past weekend I didn’t even expect as good a performance as last season. Because of the stats! An objective expectation.
It’s like people comparing the Liverpool away games from last and this (Home games: easily better last season!) Last season at Anfield we had the Chamberlain fiasco imposed on a manager/coach as the coach wanted to retain the player. This season that excuse wasn’t there! But the new coach has other constraints as we can see and are trying to discuss.
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What’s your take on this one folks? My feeling is, same as normal, pro’s have better spatial awareness etc than your average citizen and Mings could almost certainly have avoided stomping on his opponents head.
FA always consistent on these issues though : any unusually severe injuries from contact/ fouls they presume innocence of intent. It’s a recipe for getting away scott free nearly all the time. In Mings case think he even has a 5 match ban for stamping on head previously.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6665837/Nelson-Oliveiras-wife-calls-Tyrone-Mings-receive-lengthy-ban.html
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it’s also a fact that Ozil would get into any Guardiola team. Not an opinion.
Ahead of D.Silva? You could bet everything down to your underpants on that one.
Therefore for the Arsenal manager to say what he said about the comparitive quality:
Is not clever. Considering.
The fact is at this very moment, right now, Unai Emery might be three points off 4th but he is also in the process of diminishing his reputation and standing in the football world.
The influential yet not great Saachi only diminished his own achievements and legacy as a coach when he followed a similar path.
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