Latest Podcast: After the trashing of Arsenal by Aston Villa last Sunday, yours truly and Blackburn George, after weeks of discussion of the issue in our podcasts, are now convinced Mikel Arteta is unable to set up Arsenal to play attacking football. Despite our initial hopes and dreams that Arteta would return Arsenal to playing a more positive brand of football, it is now clear the Spaniard is more like his old coach, David Moyes, in his regimented, highly structured set-up whose primary objective is to stop the other team from playing. That is why performances since Project Restart have been generally poor despite some significant victories. It doesn’t matter who is selected, playing Arteta-ball, Arsenal will finish mid-table.
The evidence is glaring in front our eyes. It is time to stop the denial, Arteta-ball is bad for the club.
Reminder: Help us gain more support for our no-nonsense, no bull-shit weekly review of the current state of Arsenal FC by Liking and Subscribing to our podcast wherever you listen.
As always your comments are welcome.
Positively Arsenal 
You might want to consider how good you are for Arsenal.
LikeLike
You’re beginning to sound like a couple of jilted divorcees. We’ve not had a really good game by your definition since he came. I like the game at home v United but I think that was new manager energy bounce. There’s no correlation between pre and post lockdown we haven’t been scintillating in attack under Arteta. He’ll be sacked if things don’t improve it’s that simple the players clearly aren’t buying into it even Saka looks disillusioned. PS the audio levels are a nightmare it lurches from quiet to eardrum/speaker splitting.
LikeLike
Jules, I thought we plated “good” against Newcastle?
LikeLike
I thought we played well a few times, our semifinal and final we played ‘well’. I think the drop in our players form and his rigid micro management are linked and if he doesn’t change his approach it’ll only get worse. I do think if Partey stayed on v Villa and Lacca kept his header down we’d have had a very different result. Literally every team in the league has been on the end of a shoeing this season mind.
LikeLike
P.S I do remember when you were championing Arteta, whilst Emery was in charge, bringing to your attention that he wasn’t very well liked as a captain in the dressing room.
LikeLike
Yes you did Jules, and I stupidly thought it was because he was so demanding, seems more likely it was because he’s a twat.
LikeLike
I haven’t given up all hope yet. I think he’s got a slim chance of turning it around but it’s not looking good.
LikeLike
Off topic but surprised highlights not on website of U23’s thumping win at weekend. Play looked really good for the goals as well, although footage was pretty bad.
Maybe Blackburn have been spoilsports (think we refuse to allow other clubs to film games at times so they might have said no to us showing highlights)
Had to content self with watching recent u18 highlights vs Norwich. Kido-Taylor Hart with as good a highlights clip- 3 cracking goals, one quality assist, one nearly great goal- as you’ll see.
Kid/Kido has real class and style to his game. Shame that one of the things that takes hit for me when 1st team are struggling is my optimism for youngsters coming through. It feels, in gloom, like reality is that even very best youngsters will have hard time getting to 1st team and even harder time producing the goods when there.
LikeLike
Not seen mention of why u18 game called off at weekend while rest of league played but hopefully won’t impact game tonight (I think) in competition where youth team plays senior sides. Decent chance Taylor-Hart gets chance in that one.
LikeLike
If Balagoun can’t get a sniff and Saliba isn’t even registered for Europa League there isn’t much hope on the youth front at moment no matter how promising. Seems Arteta prefers the geriatrics
LikeLike
Can someone make it their mission to find out why the academy games are not shown on the website, even after the fact . The games are all taped and commentated on, they used to be but everything about the club seems to be very secretive now. Bit of a shame, since being aware of how the academy is getting on would only enhance the supporter interest in the club.
LikeLike
“You might want to consider how good you are for Arsenal.”
probably better than KSE and their super agent crew!
LikeLike
At the moment it looks like Mikel has taken the worst traits from all of his gurus.
Overprotecting the Kronke’s and others (Arsene), over complicating things when there is no need (Pep), kowtowing to the super agents (Moyes – though to be fair to Moysey he treated an aging poorly training Rooney a lot better then Mikel has treated the most important figure in his squad – because he is not an Sado-masochist).
LikeLike
When we reflect that this is the SAME squad of players who primarily lost faith in Emery because he dropped the best footballer on the training pitch it is not surprising that in spite of the PR this past week from quotes from various players, we all saw with our own eyes the players lose faith in the system as Villa unravelled Mikel’s system.
He might recover but only if he changes the system. Even that might not help as there was more then just the one outstanding error over the close season. Will any coach be able to cope with a club following the Shaktar Highbury/Sporting Wolverhampton model.
Remember the Groundhog Day meme from the ****s?
how do you describe someone who witnessed the Emery disintegration repeating his worst mistake?
Seeing as the squad and form have unravelled since this call was made, who could have predicted such a thing? Understanding how a dressing room works is not rocket science, it is not that complicated to understand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What’s up folks. Jules mentioned that the game might have been different if Laca scored on that header. Isn’t it sad that we are able to pinpoint a single chance that could have changed the game. Proves how rubbish we are at present.
LikeLike
This is the genius proposed solution from one of the big bloggers that pretend they do not have agendas or sway the Arsenal online community
Move to a back four
Play a midfield three
Shift Aubameyang to the centre-forward position
Flank him with Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka
How long before this gets repeated as a solution by his minions and fellow bloggers?
I suggest the problems and rot go way way deeper than the starting 11 and formation.
LikeLike
One thing I have noticed from all the ‘big’ pods is they will not even mention Mesut Özil by name. Similar to the mainstream media it’s almost as if they’ve been briefed by the club not to mention him. That sounds like tinfoil hat territory but it wouldn’t surprise me.
As for the Lacca missed header being pivotal I think Partey going off was the bigger turning point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In fairness Jules there’s not a lot of point in mentioning Ozil. The club have decided they don’t want him, and unless they reinstate in January then its a waste of time talking about him. It may well be that some decide to unfollow The Arsenal as a result of that. I have decided to feel sad about that but nevertheless carry on my unhealthy and abusive relaitonship with the club. More fool me but there it is. I was lucky to see him play a few times (and of course many times on TV) and will have to content myself with those sublime memories.
LikeLike
the U21’s are 1-0 up v Gillingham in the Papa John’s Trophy game, second half about to start. Cirjan with our goal, Macey, Saliba, Chambers and Smith-Rowe all in our team
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmehUyWWEAADPU5?format=jpg&name=900×900
LikeLike
our U18 game at the weekend was called off due to at least one of our players having Covid or being in close contact of someone who has it
LikeLike
Chambers taken off at half time, Levi Laing has replaced him
LikeLike
It’s more the fact that they are ignoring the situation. The longer we go on lacking creativity and that sort of midfielder considering he was only omitted from the squads a few weeks ago surely the more topical it becomes? They’ll mention Auoar or Fabregas rather than the guy who’s still on our books yet not registered. You’d think it’d be a discussion point considering Arteta has taken full responsibility for it. I know it’s discussed on social media but ignored by the mainstream and big bloggers. It’s like he didn’t have a choice and it’s all widely accepted. I think Özil made it clear he wasn’t too bothered whether he was selected or not when he went public with the whole Gunnersaurus PR bollocks.
LikeLike
by the way, Zech Medley and Trae Coyle are in the Gillingham team
LikeLike
Jules I’ve see you say we have played well in a number of games, of course that is correct, but have we played a great or even very good attacking game under Arteta, I for the life of me can’t recall one, has there been a game under him where we have totally dominated and peppered the opposing goal with shots and near misses
I seen a quote from Arteta yesterday where he was explaining how he seen how our attacking play would improve, and it was all along the lines of – when the players get used to playing the ball where he wants them to play it, and it becomes second nature to them, then we will score more. – It really does seem it is to remain paint by numbers football, Arteta has no place for any off the cuff attacking play. Maybe that is why Ozil is out of the squad completely, and why the likes of Pepe, Nelson and Willock are not starters, and why Saka seems to have been dulled. Its why Willian is a starter, he is trying to do exactly what Arteta is asking them to do.
LikeLike
Coyle has scored for Gillingham, 1-1 after 55 minutes.
LikeLike
FT: 1-1, so its a point each but still goes to penalties with the winner of those getting another point.
LikeLike
Coyle scored their first penalty, they missed their next two, but Balogun, Moller, Cottrell, and Cirjan scored ours to see us get the extra point for a 4-2 shootout win, it means AFC top the group
LikeLike
I see Arsenal announced that Gunnersaurus is back, but they did not include that Jerry Quy, who had previously played Gunnersaurus and is the man whose salary Mesut Ozil offered to pay, has only been offered the chance to be one of the people who will now do the role on a part-time roster basis. He’s Quy has yet to confirm if he will take AFC up on this part time offer.
LikeLike
Quy sera sera
LikeLike
Quy sera sera
LikeLiked by 1 person
just watched Adrian Clarke’s The Breakdown, and he highlighted one stat from the Villa game
Lacazette was found 5 times all game by his team mates while Aston Villa’s striker Ollie Watkins was found 35 times by his team mates.
Its very difficult for a striker to not snatch at chances if he is approaching it with the view that it might be the only chance he gets all game, by the way one of the five times team mates found Lacazette, was Tierney’s cross that Lacca headed over, the only chance Lacca had to score all game.
LikeLike
Yeah I said earlier we have not attacked well under Arteta, certainly not for 90m
LikeLike
That stat might make it look like Laca was unlucky because of service but actually his movement was terrible and Watkins won lots from the keeper and made them stick his control and hold up play was excellent and obviously that encouraged his colleagues to keep playing it in to him.
Laca on the other hand can’t hold it up and won’t pass when he got the ball. Someone suggested he was trying to hard if that was the case he needs to care a lot less.he wasn’t alone Auba’s has the control of a trampoline and Watkins made them look ordinary even if you didn’t include his goals.
LikeLike
By all accounts Watkins was excellent, and he certainly looked good in only game I’ve seen him (Liverpool).
Ed’s been talking about it for while now and I agree entirely that if we’re going to play the way we have so far with Arteta, a target man type who is good in the air, holding possession, fighting defenders, not only makes sense but is pretty much essential. Ideally suppose you’d also want pace and energy to run channels, chase, close down as well. If you also want quality and finishing you’d be talking about, well, fuck knows, but they’d cost plenty. Suppose we’d have to compromise.
Oh man, I’d like to see it in particular when playing out options are shut down and Leno forlornly sends it forward, seemingly without belief there’s any good option for him to aim for. Also a game changer on crosses if we have someone seriously dangerous in there.
LikeLike
Well given our enthusiam for players on Chelsea’s not-wanted pile what about that handsome french fellow?
LikeLike
Tim, Giroud back , Jack and Danny on frees and Aaron might be available from Juve, get the gang back together.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“Remember the Groundhog Day meme from the ****s?
how do you describe someone who witnessed the Emery disintegration repeating his worst mistake?”
True. Not just the actions, the words have become worse and worse as well.
LikeLike
“Jack and Danny” he he he he !
LikeLike
“Can’t do anything about the Ozil story so why are you talking about it? be reasonable. Move along. Move on.”
Turns on the radio.
Listens to a former Arsenal coach talking about the Ozil story.
Watches the football.
Sees a team perform so badly it looks like half squad have been discussing the Ozil story and lost their focus. Exactly the same as a year ago (clue: it is the SAME group of players!)
This “story” is going to run and run.
What’s the expression?
“You can run.
But you can’t hide!”.
LikeLike
b1886
Watching the tragedy of this rookie coach who was impressing all his peers in May cut his own dick off and destroy that reputation he had built up amongst his peers through just a few calls that were probably imposed by monsters upon his rookie shoulders..:is a bit like reading Macbeth.
It’s a fucking tragedy and there’s no shame in denying it or admitting it each to their own. But it is a damaging tragedy for this this football club.
Such a waste.
LikeLike
Just like I never thought this club would be descending so much, so fast without Arsène, I then–after Emery time–couldn’t imagine the same tragic mistake and let-down from Arteta. Now I’ve definitely learnt my lesson: Arsenal is/(was) not that special, it’s its manager who was totally so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ornstein says club eyeing right side centre back. Isn’t that where Saliba plays? Also prob best fit for Chambers?
Sokratis will be off, sounds like Mustafi,too, may be Luiz last year, but still feels a little odd when we have unprecedented number of senior cb’s at present, with two of them not registered, plus at least two home grown prospects- mcguiness and Ballard- who are better than anyone we’ve brought through since Hayden at least.
Mari barely started with us, Saliba likewise, though for different reasons, Mavropanos unfortunately seems too injury prone to even find out what he can do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This constant obsession with centre backs, is strange when our problems are really based in midfield, which does not give proper protection to the defence and no service to the attack.
What Tony Adams had to say made a lot of sense, from someone who really knows how to defend
The shambolic way this club seems to be run does not give any solace to the supporters who can only watch with sadness at speed in which the deterioration is proceeding.
Wenger’s heartfelt message was ignored and is now being reduced to shreds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeah rich and the CB Ornstein linked us to is 21 year old Konate of RB Leipzig, so that would not make things look too good for Saliba, Ballard and McGuinness.
I see Ornstein also says the club are after a No.10 who can also play to the right, its fucking laughable that we are willing to splash the cash on a new guy but wont give Ozil even the chance to fill the role. Also the right side bit would also cast even more doubts over the futures of Pepe, Nelson and Willock at AFC.
LikeLike
Omari Hutchinson has signed his first professional contract.
The 17-year-old joined us at the age of 11 and has progressed through the academy age groups.
A winger and attacking midfielder, Omari is known for his technical ability, passing and speed.
Omari has featured regularly for our under-18s this season, providing five assists in seven league appearances – and last month he was included in the Europa League B list, a rule that enables three academy players born after 1999 to be eligible to be a part of our first team’s UEFA Europa League squad.
The young midfielder played for England at under-17 level last season and has since trained with the under-18s.
We congratulate Omari on his first professional contract and look forward to supporting him with his continued development.
Copyright 2020 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
LikeLike
Moller, Bandeira and Cottrell train with Arsenal first-team
by jeorge bird
The Arsenal first-team were in training today, with a host of youngsters joining them for the session.
With many senior players away on international duty, Mikel Arteta called upon some of the club’s prospects, including Swedish striker Nikolaj Moller, who has produced some impressive performances since joining the club.
All-action midfielder Mauro Bandeira also trained with the squad along with Ben Cottrell and new arrival Joel Ideho.
Left-back Joel Lopez and midfielder Tim Akinola were involved, as was goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Catalin Cirjan, Joseph Olowu and Jonathan Dinzeyi were also called upon.
First-team players involved in the session included Alexandre Lacazette, Dani Ceballos, David Luiz and Emile Smith Rowe.
Reiss Nelson, who was out injured recently, also trained.
LikeLike
Good interview from Adams there. What really jumped out to me was his comments regarding Martinez. I never expected Martinez to be that good. To my eyes he was the best PL goalie I watched last season and it would have been great to see a home grown player be the no 1. Great thing for him is that has gone to a better team, at least for now.
LikeLike
Not feeling good about my moaning about Saliba situation if what Kike whatshisname reports is true. Translation of tweet suggested both his parents had recently passed away. No idea how accurate any of Kike’s info is, nor google translate, but if that’s right, obviously all bets off and only thing to do is hope Saliba gets through tremendously tough time ok.
LikeLike
Wonder why Willian who looked a better player at Chelsea is so poor at Arsenal. As I was of the view he was bought to replace Ozil in the side as the playmaker. Probably Artetaball focuses too much on defence and Willian will not be able show his creative talent he showed at Chelsea.
Not denying the fact that Ozil is a far better player than Willian.
So the idiot fans may still be praising Artetaball and celebrating that they have got their beloved Arsenal back I wonder when they will get the shock of their lives after Arsenal will finish midtable this season.
LikeLike