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Arsenal FC | 2020/21 Season

Nicolas Pepe has admitted he is unhappy with his lack of playing time under Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
 
Jack Wilshere: Cesc Fabregas says former Arsenal team-mate would have made it 'big time' at Barcelona or Real Madrid

Cesc Fabregas says former Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere was one of a few British players who could have made it "big time" at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Former England international Wilshere is currently without a club after being released by mutual consent by West Ham this summer, nine years after he burst onto the scene alongside Fabregas in a memorable man-of-the-match performance for Arsenal against a Barcelona side boasting Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Fabregas, now at Ligue 1 side Monaco, believes Wilshere would have become a legend of English football had it not been for persistent injuries.

"Jack was such a good talent, one of the most talented players I've ever played with," Fabregas told the Daily Mail.

"He was just 16 when he first came to train with us and I was like 'wow this guy is good, strong, sharp.' It's a big shame what has happened to him, I feel sorry because he could have been a proper English legend of the game.

"We always talk about how British players would adapt to teams in Europe - I always believed that Jack was one of the few Brits who could have made it big time at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"Same with Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale. These guys are so talented, without injuries they could have done much more."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...as-wilshere-wouldve-made-it-big-at-barca-real
 
Arsenal become Premier League club to join UN climate action plan

Arsenal believe they can inspire fans across the globe to be more sustainable after signing up to a United Nations plan to help tackle climate change.

The club are the first in the Premier League to join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

It means pledging to help fight climate change and helping others do the same.

"We've already implemented a number of environmentally friendly practices across the club," Arsenal operations director Hywel Sloman said.

"We will continue to use the power and reach of Arsenal to inspire our global communities and push each other towards a more sustainable future," he added.

Signing up to the framework commits the club and their staff to five key principles aimed at reducing their climate impact as part of attempts to limit global warming:

- Undertake systematic efforts to promote greater environmental responsibility
- Reduce overall climate impact
- Educate on climate action
- Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
- Advocate for climate action through communication.

In 2019 Arsenal finished joint-top in a BBC Sport Premier League sustainability table - produced in partnership with UN-backed Sport Positive Summit.

"One year on, we are proud to build on the work we are already doing in this area and encourage positive climate action to our millions of supporters around the world," the club said.

"Football inspires so many of us around the world and there is a remarkable potential for the game to become greener, more climate-resilient and lead by example for millions of global fans," said Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Sports for Climate Action Lead at UN Climate Change.

Arsenal are the third British club to sign up to the framework after League Two side Forest Green Rovers and Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

These are just some of the environmentally friendly initiatives undertaken by Arsenal so far:

The UK's first football club to install large-scale battery energy storage in 2018. The battery storage system can power the 60,000-seat Emirates Stadium for an entire match.

Planted more than 29,000 trees at the club's training centre in London Colney since 1999, to create the Colney Wood.

Installed a water recycling system at the training centre to reuse water that comes from the pitch - in the last year, this has seen more than 4.5 million litres of water recycled.

Became the first Premier League club to switch to 100% green electricity.

Saves 20,000 single-use plastic cups per game when Emirates Stadium is full through a reusable cup scheme.

Has water dispensers across all sites - saving 150,000 single-use plastic water bottles per year.

Reduced energy by installing automated LED lighting at all club sites.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54957075
 
Glad that Arsenal take the lead on such issues, they've done a wonderful job so far at it.
 
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny is self-isolating in Cairo after testing positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Egypt.
 
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty, the Egyptian Football Association has announced.

The 28-year-old is not showing any symptoms but tested positive on arrival in Togo for Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.
 
Sead Kolasinac has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Dani Ceballos and David Luiz: Mikel Arteta plays down Arsenal training ground incident

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down a reported training ground incident between David Luiz and Dani Ceballos.

Reports suggested the pair had been involved in a physical altercation following an argument after a training match during the international break.

But Arteta, whose side travel to face Leeds on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, said there was nothing untoward in the pair having a disagreement.

After the story broke on Thursday night, Ceballos took to Twitter to deny the claims - simply retweeting the article below the word: "FAKE".

Asked what happened with Luiz and Ceballos, Arteta replied: "Nothing. Training is very competitive and issues happen a lot of times. Those things get resolved immediately within the team and there is not much to say.

"There is no problem at all (between the two players)."

It is not the first time the Spain international, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, has been involved in an altercation with a team-mate.

He was caught on camera having a disagreement with Eddie Nketiah as the two substitutes warmed up ahead of Arsenal's win at Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League season.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...a-plays-down-arsenal-training-ground-incident
 
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says there will be "consequences" for the source who leaked a story about an incident between Dani Ceballos and David Luiz.

The two clashed after a rough challenge by Ceballos in a practice game and Luiz drew blood from his team-mate in the incident, according to The Athletic.

Arteta described the confrontation as "nothing" and was more concerned about it becoming public knowledge.

He said: "I don't like the fact that that incident comes out at all."

The Spaniard added: "I will find out where it is coming from and if that is the case, that goes completely against what I expect from each other, the privacy and the confidentiality that we need, and there will be consequences."

Asked to explain his version of events, Arteta said: "Training is very competitive and issues happen a lot of times. Those things get resolved immediately within the team and there is not much to say.

"There is no problem at all."

After the story broke on Thursday, Spain midfielder Ceballos, on a second season-long loan from Real Madrid, took to social media to deny the reports - retweeting the article below the word: "FAKE."

It is not the first time the 24-year-old has been in a disagreement with a Gunners team-mate that has gone public.

On 12 September, he was caught on camera in a dispute with fellow substitute Eddie Nketiah as they warmed up before Arsenal's 3-0 Premier League win at Fulham.

Brazilian Luiz, 33, joined Arsenal from Chelsea in August 2019.
 
Arsenal are exploring ways to structure a deal for Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 20, who has a £23m release clause at RB Salzburg. (Mirror)
 
Szoboszlai would be a fantastic signing, and for such a cheap release clause.
 
Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski: Arsenal and Leeds condemn 'vile' social media abuse of players

Arsenal and Leeds have both condemned the "vile" abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski after Sunday's Premier League game at Elland Road.

Pepe was sent off after 52 minutes of the 0-0 draw when he put his head into Alioski's face following a number of niggly exchanges between the pair in the preceding minutes.

However, Alioski's reaction annoyed the Arsenal players and Scotland defender Kieran Tierney had to be pulled away from the Leeds man after the final whistle as he made his feelings known.

Pepe and Alioski were both targeted on social media, leading the clubs to release co-ordinated statements, in which they promised to work with the police and football authorities to identify those responsible.

"We utterly condemn the vile abuse directed at Nicolas Pepe and Ezgjan Alioski on social media," said Arsenal in their statement. "This is completely unacceptable."

Leeds also called the abuse "vile" and said it would "not be tolerated".

Pepe, who has struggled to impress since his £72m move to Arsenal from Lille in August 2019, is facing a three-match ban, which would rule him out of the north London derby at Tottenham on 5 December, in addition to home games against Wolves and Burnley.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55041052
 
Will never understand why we never sold Pepe and Lacazette over the summer.
 
Pound for pound, Pepe is the worst signing in PL history, let alone Arsenal history.

Luckily, he sealed his fate with the head-butt. There is no way Arteta is going to forgive him.

If he is not loaned out in January, he will definitely be sold in the summer.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arsenal after nine Premier League matches:<br><br>■ 11th in the table<br>■ One win in last five games<br>■ Seven points behind Tottenham<br>■ No open play goals in over 7.5 hours <a href="https://t.co/DGZTiwSeyQ">pic.twitter.com/DGZTiwSeyQ</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1330577718598053894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Sander Berge is reportedly being linked with a move from Sheffield United to Arsenal.
 
Dani Ceballos says David Luiz incident shows Arsenal have character

Dani Ceballos believes his recent training ground spat with David Luiz shows Arsenal have a character not previously seen until Mikel Arteta's arrival.

Reports suggested the 24-year-old midfielder was involved in a physical altercation with the Brazilian defender following an argument after a training match during the international break.

Although both players were quick to move on, Ceballos believes it shows the side are moving in the right direction under Arteta.

"It was not an exemplary behaviour but it is good to see Arsenal is alive - that the team has character," Ceballos told SunSport.

"The team was almost dead - but after Arteta's arrival, we won the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

"It's not even a year since he arrived and he has given a radical change to the club.

"He's the soul of the club and he's lucky that the players trust him 100 per cent."

At the time, Arteta played down the incident but promised there would be "consequences" if he discovers the source of the media leak.

"Training is very competitive and issues happen a lot of times," Arteta said. "Those things get resolved immediately within the team and there is not much to say.

"There is no problem at all [between the two players] but I don't like the fact that that incident comes out at all.

"And I will find out where it is coming from and if that is the case, that goes completely against what I expect from each other, the privacy and the confidentiality that we need, and there will be consequences."

It is not the first time Ceballos, on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, has been involved in an altercation with a team-mate.

He was caught on camera having a disagreement with Eddie Nketiah as the two substitutes warmed up ahead of Arsenal's win at Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League season.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...id-luiz-incident-shows-arsenal-have-character
 
Mamoon said:
Pound for pound, Pepe is the worst signing in PL history, let alone Arsenal history.

Luckily, he sealed his fate with the head-butt. There is no way Arteta is going to forgive him.

If he is not loaned out in January, he will definitely be sold in the summer.
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Kepa says a big HELLO
 
Arsenal are ready to sell Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe if a suitable buyer for their 25-year-old record signing can be found. (Daily Star Sunday)
 
Ozil and now Pepe - yet still questions aren’t being asked of Arteta as to why he can’t get the best out of such players? Is there something lacking in his man management?
 
Gabbar Singh said:
Ozil and now Pepe - yet still questions aren’t being asked of Arteta as to why he can’t get the best out of such players? Is there something lacking in his man management?
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Yet he singlehandedly convinced Saka, Xhaka, who had flipped off his own fans, and Aubameyang, who had big money offers from teams a lot lot better than us, to stay. Add to that enticing Partey and Gabriel, 2 of our best signings in recent memory, to the club.

Ozil is a disconcerting case, and Pepe we are yet to see how he will deal with it, but it's not so black and white as you make it seem.
 
13 - Arsenal’s tally of 13 points is their lowest after their opening 10 matches of a league campaign since the 1981-82 season (12)
 
Insipid performance today.

Only thing saving Arteta is lack of fans at the stadium...

We used to have a Ferrari attack and an escort defence, now we've got del boys 3 wheeler, complete rubbish
 
Arsenal is probably the least creative team in the Europe this season. My eyes bleed when I watch them play. Absolutely no ability to creat chances.

I hope the Isco rumors are true. He can be a Cazorla level signing. He is the same age the former was when Wenger signed him in 2012.

He would be a really good fit as an LCM in 4-3-3 or a CAM in 4-2-3-1.

His stock has fallen over the last few years and the big clubs are unlikely to go after him. I think Arteta has a genuine chance of roping him in.
 
Firebat said:
Yet he singlehandedly convinced Saka, Xhaka, who had flipped off his own fans, and Aubameyang, who had big money offers from teams a lot lot better than us, to stay. Add to that enticing Partey and Gabriel, 2 of our best signings in recent memory, to the club.

Ozil is a disconcerting case, and Pepe we are yet to see how he will deal with it, but it's not so black and white as you make it seem.
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Fair point.

However one does get the feeling that Arteta is being given an easier ride by the fans because he’s “one of their own”. Not saying he should be sacked but his league performance is worse than Wenger’s final years and worse than Emery’s period as manager. Somethings seriously wrong at the club.
 
Mamoon said:
Arsenal is probably the least creative team in the Europe this season. My eyes bleed when I watch them play. Absolutely no ability to creat chances.

I hope the Isco rumors are true. He can be a Cazorla level signing. He is the same age the former was when Wenger signed him in 2012.

He would be a really good fit as an LCM in 4-3-3 or a CAM in 4-2-3-1.

His stock has fallen over the last few years and the big clubs are unlikely to go after him. I think Arteta has a genuine chance of roping him in.
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Eriksen is available for peanuts, Arsenal should consider him.
 
Mamoon said:
Arsenal is probably the least creative team in the Europe this season. My eyes bleed when I watch them play. Absolutely no ability to creat chances.

I hope the Isco rumors are true. He can be a Cazorla level signing. He is the same age the former was when Wenger signed him in 2012.

He would be a really good fit as an LCM in 4-3-3 or a CAM in 4-2-3-1.

His stock has fallen over the last few years and the big clubs are unlikely to go after him. I think Arteta has a genuine chance of roping him in.
Click to expand...

The main challenge for that is they need to get used to a 4 man defence. They have good defenders, so they can certainly try that out but it might take few more matches for them to be comfortable with that switch.
 
David Luiz: Alan Shearer calls for rule changes after clash of heads with Raul Jimenez

Alan Shearer believes "football needs to wake up" around concussion protocols after Arsenal's David Luiz played on with blood seeping from his head bandage in Sunday's loss to Wolves.

The Brazilian defender clashed heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who has had surgery on a fractured skull.

Arsenal said protocols were followed regarding the decision to allow Luiz to play on after the incident.

Pundit Shearer told Match of the Day: "We are talking about life and death."

He added: "Football needs to get real, it needs to wake up, it needs to get serious. Not next year, next month, now. It is not acceptable, it has been going too far too long."

Sunday's match at Emirates Stadium was in its early stages when Jimenez and Gunners defender Luiz accidently collided at an Arsenal corner. The striker was given oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

Having played on for almost 40 first-half minutes, Luiz did not reappear for the start of the second half as he was was replaced by Rob Holding.

Footballers who sustain a suspected concussion, either during training or in a game, should immediately be removed from the pitch and not allowed to return until the appropriate treatment has been administered, according to FA guidelines.

Arteta said afterwards: "We followed the protocol to check he [Luiz] had not lost any consciousness, which he hadn't, and then some tests.

"They will continue to do some more checks on him. He was really uncomfortable and couldn't really head the ball and couldn't continue."

Shearer, though, believes action must be taken immediately to review concussion protocols to protect players.

The former England striker previously presented a BBC documentary on dementia and is aware of the risks players face from head injuries.

He said: "If David Luiz has passed all the protocols like Arsenal say he has, how on earth is he allowed back on to the pitch with a wound that is dripping down his face?

"We're talking about players' welfare here. Football's protocols allow someone who has a cut that is seeping through a bandage that has just been put on to carry on playing and then he has to go off again 20 minutes later because he can't head a ball.

"Cricket do it, the NFL does it, both codes of rugby do it - they all have better protocols. We're talking about life and death and players' careers ending.

"They're on about trialling concussion substitutes. What is there to trial? It's been going on for years. It's not acceptable.

"We've been having meeting after meeting after meeting. Why do they need to trial anything? Just do it. Do it now. If things needs changing after that, change it."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55130234
 
Concussion substitutes: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta backs temporary replacement calls

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says concussion substitutions in football should be considered.

The Gunners' Brazil defender David Luiz will miss Thursday's Europa League game against Rapid Vienna as he continues to recover from a clash of heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez on Sunday.

Arsenal were criticised for allowing him to play on for about 40 minutes, before he was substituted at half-time.

Arteta said he could play in Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham.

"Maybe it's a moment we can think: give these people a little more time and use a temporary substitution," said the Spaniard.

"We have had conversations regarding this issue. It rarely happens in football but it's common in other sports. It's just a suggestion if we want to be extra protective."

Concussion substitutes would allow a temporary replacement while a player who had suffered a head injury was thoroughly checked for signs they were concussed.

Arteta added: "If you have any doubts at any moment, and you need an extra two minutes or five minutes to check somebody, maybe we can think about that.

"The player wants to carry on playing and the doctor has to tick all the necessary boxes to be certain the player is OK to continue.

"So, if we have any extra doubts, OK we give them a little bit more time than necessary, but you cannot play 10 to 15 minutes with 10 men in football."

Following Sunday's incident, in which Mexico forward Jimenez fractured his skull, former England striker Alan Shearer said "football needs to wake up" about concussion protocols.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson have also backed calls for their introduction.

Footballers who sustain a suspected concussion, either during training or in a game, should immediately be removed from the pitch and not allowed to return until the appropriate treatment has been administered, according to the Football Association guidelines.

Trials for concussion substitutes are set to begin in English football next season.

Arsenal insisted protocols were followed regarding the decision to allow Luiz to play on.

"Some people can have the perception about whether he should have continued but thankfully we have one of the leading authorities in this country, Gary O'Driscoll, our doctor, who has massive experience in football and rugby," said Arteta.

"He knows exactly what to do. He did all the testing. He did all the protocols for him to carry on playing.

"Everything was done in the right manner and the only aim here is to protect the welfare of the player."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55159741
 
Hector Bellerin 'really believes results will come'

Defender Hector Bellerin says "results will come" for Arsenal and it is up to the players to "change this dynamic they are in".

Sunday's home defeat by Wolves condemned the Gunners to their worst start to a season since 1981, losing five of their 10 Premier League games.

They are 14th in the table, with Mikel Arteta set to mark a year in charge.

"We have no excuse. We were really upset and we take responsibility," Bellerin told BBC Football Focus.

"We know what we want to do to win matches and if we don't do it we know it is our responsibility because maybe on that game our attitude wasn't right, or our positioning wasn't right. This is something we have all agreed and it is important we all step up."

Arteta, 38, was handed his first managerial job last December after fellow Spaniard Unai Emery was sacked following 18 months as Arsenal boss. Before that, Arsene Wenger had spent 22 years in charge.

"When Mikel came we knew a change was needed in terms of not just the way we play but the culture and identity," said 25-year-old Spain right-back Bellerin.

"On and off the pitch, that is something you don't achieve in one day or one week. It is important to keep going because, even though results are not coming, we are doing so many things much better. I really, really believe the results will come.

"The way he [Arteta] turned it around after the lockdown, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield, showed the capacity he had as a manager.

"When you want to change the whole culture of the club for the better, that is something that takes time. But I truly believe we are on the right path; we are all fully on board."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55173541
 
Patrick Vieira: Nice sack manager after two and a half years in charge

Nice have sacked ex-France and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira as their manager after two and a half years.

The French club have lost five games in a row, including Thursday's 3-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen that confirmed their exit from the Europa League, and are 11th in Ligue 1.

Vieira, who also played for Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus, was New York City boss before joining Nice.

Adrian Ursea, who was assistant to Vieira, has taken over as head coach.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55187481
 
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has asked former club Manchester City to keep him informed about the availability of England defender John Stones, 26. (90 Min)
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📋 Our north London derby team news is in!<br><br>🇬🇭 <a href="https://twitter.com/Thomaspartey22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ThomasPartey22</a> returns<br>🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 <a href="https://twitter.com/RobHolding95?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobHolding95</a> chosen to partner Gabriel<br>🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 <a href="https://twitter.com/BukayoSaka87?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BukayoSaka87</a> also starts<br><br>#️⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOTARS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOTARS</a></p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1335607481020665857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Usual pathetic stuff at the moment.

Auby doesn't want the ball in the box and William playing like a 69 year old.
 
That first half versus Spurs was pathetic.

The big names are nowhere to be seen, Auba, William, Lacazette, Partey - all terrible in the first half and seem disinterested.

Arteta needs to sort this mess out.
 
Arsenal were better in the 2nd half against Spurs but the damage had already been done.

Arteta doesn't seem to be getting out of the big names at the club such as Auba, William, Lacazette.
 
Red Bull Salzburg's Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 20, is set to turn his back on a move to Arsenal and instead join RB Leipzig in the January transfer window. (Sky Germany via Sky Sports)
 
Another easily achievable and affordable target lost. This is going to be a looooong season.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">&#55358;&#56631;&#55356;&#57339;*♂️&#55358;&#56631;&#55356;&#57339;*♂️&#55358;&#56609; <a href="https://t.co/3whuOfHYpy">pic.twitter.com/3whuOfHYpy</a></p>— Ollie Pope (@OPope32) <a href="https://twitter.com/OPope32/status/1338224244711452674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Arsenal have lost their last 4 PL home games, equaling a club record in the top division, which has happened twice previously in 1908 & 1959
 
They rushed into appointing Arteta for the role when he should have been brought in as an understudy to an experienced manager.

The job is too big for him.
 
It seems the fans enjoyed Arsenal's display tonight :)

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/FK9FGTv/6c383e99-2f61-48e1-aeff-26c9905ff2a1.jpg" alt="6c383e99-2f61-48e1-aeff-26c9905ff2a1" border="0"></a><br /><a target='_blank' href='https://imgbb.com/'></a><br />
 
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Patrice Evra says that when he was at Henry’s house Henry turned the tv off after seeing that Xhaka was leading the side out that day. Lol.
 
I always think of Arsenal playing free flowing attacking football with a solid defence.

The current tactics are strange, negative, players seem confused, substitutions are bizarre, the team that is being picked is weird. Players are lost in the system and why is he picking Xhaka every match.
 
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Big Sam rumoured to be in talks with Arsenal...if anyone is going to keep them up it’s him ...

Would be an excellent appointment...
 
Granit Xhaka is a faux hard man who sums up Arsenal - no bottle and no leadership

If Granit Xhaka had somehow signed for a club who were genuine title contenders he’d have been booted out the door six months after walking through it.

The Swiss, sent off on Sunday for petulantly grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat, is a faux hard man whose unique selling point is tackling and breaking up play.

But he’s not hard, good at tackling or breaking up play.

And characters like him must have Roy Keane and Graeme Souness itching to get their boots back on

Let’s be honest, both of them would have more influence on the pitch even now than Xhaka has

After seeing his dismissal, I was intrigued to hear what his manager, Mikel Arteta, had to say and, essentially, it was just that he’d been over exuberant.

He therefore has to take some of the blame as well, because he has had a year now to drill into Xhaka that he is in the most important part of the field and there to do the hard work but not go chucking himself into silly challenges, especially when he’s already on a yellow.

What I saw again on Sunday, and not just from Xhaka but the whole team, was a lack of bottle and leadership.

It makes me think that giving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £250,000 a week is coming home to roost, because when the chips are down, the lads on £75,000 a week start to say, ‘Well, if he’s not trying a leg, why should I?’

Things like that have a major impact in dressing-rooms and Arteta must now be hoping he can just get a few results before Christmas.

Otherwise, the ‘project’ will lose such a significant part of the fanbase that we’ll have another ‘Ole’ situation on our hands where we’re waiting for when, rather than if, he goes.

That undermines everything good Arteta can do.

And at least Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United have a good recent record in the league to look at, as well as that nagging feeling in the backs of their minds that their side isn’t a million miles away.

The fact is that Arsenal are and, if they are not careful, they could well be looking at the sort of momentum Leicester enjoyed in their miracle season working in reverse and leaving them looking uncomfortably over their shoulders.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/foot...rd-man-23166852.amp?__twitter_impression=true
 
The Viper said:
Granit Xhaka is a faux hard man who sums up Arsenal - no bottle and no leadership

If Granit Xhaka had somehow signed for a club who were genuine title contenders he’d have been booted out the door six months after walking through it.

The Swiss, sent off on Sunday for petulantly grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat, is a faux hard man whose unique selling point is tackling and breaking up play.

But he’s not hard, good at tackling or breaking up play.

And characters like him must have Roy Keane and Graeme Souness itching to get their boots back on

Let’s be honest, both of them would have more influence on the pitch even now than Xhaka has

After seeing his dismissal, I was intrigued to hear what his manager, Mikel Arteta, had to say and, essentially, it was just that he’d been over exuberant.

He therefore has to take some of the blame as well, because he has had a year now to drill into Xhaka that he is in the most important part of the field and there to do the hard work but not go chucking himself into silly challenges, especially when he’s already on a yellow.

What I saw again on Sunday, and not just from Xhaka but the whole team, was a lack of bottle and leadership.

It makes me think that giving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £250,000 a week is coming home to roost, because when the chips are down, the lads on £75,000 a week start to say, ‘Well, if he’s not trying a leg, why should I?’

Things like that have a major impact in dressing-rooms and Arteta must now be hoping he can just get a few results before Christmas.

Otherwise, the ‘project’ will lose such a significant part of the fanbase that we’ll have another ‘Ole’ situation on our hands where we’re waiting for when, rather than if, he goes.

That undermines everything good Arteta can do.

And at least Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United have a good recent record in the league to look at, as well as that nagging feeling in the backs of their minds that their side isn’t a million miles away.

The fact is that Arsenal are and, if they are not careful, they could well be looking at the sort of momentum Leicester enjoyed in their miracle season working in reverse and leaving them looking uncomfortably over their shoulders.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/foot...rd-man-23166852.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Click to expand...


Pathetic response from Arteta ...especially when you consider how he addressed Pepe and Guendouzi ...

Inconsistencies in how you treat your players gets noticed ...the funny thing is many fans predicted he would be soft in his response to Xhaka...man has his favourites...
 
Apparently Allegeri was on €7.5M per annum at Juve. That’s €1M more than what Arteta is on right now.

Just pay the guy Özil and Arteta’s wages combined and let the man run the show. Watch the master at work. The clowns have played enough, now let’s get the Master in!
 
Rana said:
Apparently Allegeri was on €7.5M per annum at Juve. That’s €1M more than what Arteta is on right now.

Just pay the guy Özil and Arteta’s wages combined and let the man run the show. Watch the master at work. The clowns have played enough, now let’s get the Master in!
Click to expand...

Arteta will be regarded as a better and bigger manager than Allegri in 10 years time. He is in the league of Pep/Klopp.

Just let the man do his work. The problem is with the players not him. Not only are they average, they also have terrible attitude.

Give him 2-3 windows to create his own identity and build his own team and you will see the results.
 
Mamoon said:
Arteta will be regarded as a better and bigger manager than Allegri in 10 years time. He is in the league of Pep/Klopp.

Just let the man do his work. The problem is with the players not him. Not only are they average, they also have terrible attitude.

Give him 2-3 windows to create his own identity and build his own team and you will see the results.
Click to expand...

I agree ...in the summer he can built an excellent team which will win the Championship and gain promotion ...
 
Mamoon said:
Arteta will be regarded as a better and bigger manager than Allegri in 10 years time. He is in the league of Pep/Klopp.

Just let the man do his work. The problem is with the players not him. Not only are they average, they also have terrible attitude.

Give him 2-3 windows to create his own identity and build his own team and you will see the results.
Click to expand...

Who in their right mind would persist with Arteta as their manager even though Massimiliano Allegeri is available? There is no question here, even if Arteta matures in the next 2-3 windows as a manager, he still will not be on the level Allegri is on right now as a footballing genius. Arteta does not hold the authority/stature that a no nonsense manager like Allegri has in world football. I have no issues with Arteta being his assistant or coming back to AFC once he does become that elite level manager, but AFC should not be treated as a training ground for potential options to get their act right. We are rock bottom right now and the fixtures are not getting easier!
 
Rana said:
Who in their right mind would persist with Arteta as their manager even though Massimiliano Allegeri is available? There is no question here, even if Arteta matures in the next 2-3 windows as a manager, he still will not be on the level Allegri is on right now as a footballing genius. Arteta does not hold the authority/stature that a no nonsense manager like Allegri has in world football. I have no issues with Arteta being his assistant or coming back to AFC once he does become that elite level manager, but AFC should not be treated as a training ground for potential options to get their act right. We are rock bottom right now and the fixtures are not getting easier!
Click to expand...

It is a stretch to call Allegri a “footballing genius”. He is an excellent manager and nothing more.

Besides, Allegri will not come to Arsenal to put up with these junk players. He will demand a massive budget, just like he did in 2018 when the board held talks with him.

Arsenal fans need to understand something - no excellent manager in his prime years will look at the Arsenal job unless he is backed in the market.

Why would Allegri come to Arsenal with a shoestring budget and work with these losers with poor mentality who would mock the manager on social media instead of looking in the mirror.

So the realistic options for Arsenal are B grade managers or managers whose best years are behind them and no longer have a lot of ambition such as Ancelotti etc.

Alternatively, if Arsenal want to have a top manager with his best years ahead of him, they will need to find the next big thing and stick with him, and they have that already in Arteta.

Trust me - sacking Arteta and finding his replacement would not be a problem if Arsenal had the money to do serious business in the transfer market.
 
Gabbar Singh said:
Arsenal may not be the biggest spenders but “shoestring budget” is pushing it a bit.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/transferrekorde/verein/11

Arsenal spend money, they just don’t spend it smartly.

It’s been said so often that it’s become a cliché now but Arsenal need a David Dein/Daniel Levy type person controlling the transfers. Instead they’ve tried people like Gazidis and now Edu.
Click to expand...

Arsenal have had considerate budget since 2013 whereas things were really tight between 2004 and 2012. It is also true that most of the money has been wasted on crap players.

However, the transfer kitty is still not enough for Allegri to compete with the likes of City and Liverpool. He will not get the investment he demands to take Arsenal into the top 4 overnight, and he will not have the patience to stick around for years and make incremental progress.

Apparently, neither do the fans, so they will also be asking for Allegri’s head in a year’s time.
 
Gabbar Singh said:
Arsenal may not be the biggest spenders but “shoestring budget” is pushing it a bit.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/transferrekorde/verein/11

Arsenal spend money, they just don’t spend it smartly.

It’s been said so often that it’s become a cliché now but Arsenal need a David Dein/Daniel Levy type person controlling the transfers. Instead they’ve tried people like Gazidis and now Edu.
Click to expand...

It’s absolute nonsense...this owner doesn’t invest thing is a myth ...last 5 seasons Arsenal have the 4th highest net spend in the league ...they only have City, Utd and Everton ahead of them ...

They have the 4th highest wage bill behind Man U, City and Liverpool ...

And Arteta has been backed more than Emery or Wenger were...
 
Arsenal fell to their eighth Premier League defeat of the season as Everton claimed victory at Goodison Park to move up to second in the table.

Rob Holding diverted the ball into his own net after a flick-on from Dominic Calvert-Lewin to put Everton 1-0 up.

Nicolas Pepe then scored from the spot for Arsenal after Tom Davies had kicked Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the box.

But Everton defender Yerry Mina restored the Toffees' lead on the stroke of half-time with a header.
 
Found the state of Arsenal quite funny but now I just feel bad for Arsenal fans. It's just.... sad now. Reading the Gunners sub with posts about mental health going up truly shows the club is hitting rock bottom.

I would want to back Arteta but something has to change and at the moment if Arteta is going to mindlessly pick the likes of Willian, Xhaka and Bellerin who seem to be in the negative when it comes to contribution then he'll rightfully be sacked. Also I think Arsenal have to consider that if nothing changes until the summer, Arsenal will be in a relegation fight which is surreal to say. Even in 15/16 under Mourinho I didn't feel it was this bad.
 
Former England captain Alan Shearer says he would "not be so sure" about Arsenal's chances of Premier League survival at the end of this season.

The Gunners have made their worst start to a season since the 1974-75 campaign and lie 15th in the table.

They have 14 points from 14 games and have lost eight of those matches.

Asked if they will stay up, Shearer replied: "I wouldn't be so sure. Not with that starting team and the attitude of some of those players."

The 2-1 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday left Mikel Arteta's side four points above the relegation zone.

The Gunners have not scored from open play in any of their past five top-flight games away from home.

Nicolas Pepe, the club's record £72m signing, scored just his second league goal of the season from the penalty spot.




https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55382530
 
They got lucky the refereeing was so shocking in the Fulham game...

Pretty much a shambles from start to finish ...Willian does 90 minutes yet it’s apparently the players fault not the manager who picks them ....

Nketiah a tried and tested failure gets in ahead of Balogun ...

Mamoon can insult Guendouzi and Torreira all he wants but this is a side that starts Elneny ...let that sink in ...Elneny wouldn’t start for any other premier league side ...

Anyhow hope you fans keep trusting the process ...it’s becoming quite amusing for the rest of us ...especially when the arrogance towards potential relegation comes out ...I mean Sunny on the football terrace actually said the immortal words ‘we are too good to go down.’
 
On MOTD they pointed out that Pepe and others weren’t even bothering to move into the box or into space when Arsenal had the ball and were attacking - if a £72m player who earns £100+k a week can’t even be bothered to run a bit then there’s something seriously wrong at the club.
 
Gabbar Singh said:
On MOTD they pointed out that Pepe and others weren’t even bothering to move into the box or into space when Arsenal had the ball and were attacking - if a £72m player who earns £100+k a week can’t even be bothered to run a bit then there’s something seriously wrong at the club.
Click to expand...

They're probably more concerned about losing the ball and having to track back....

None of this is acceptable
 
Gabbar Singh said:
On MOTD they pointed out that Pepe and others weren’t even bothering to move into the box or into space when Arsenal had the ball and were attacking - if a £72m player who earns £100+k a week can’t even be bothered to run a bit then there’s something seriously wrong at the club.
Click to expand...

Might have something to do with being singled out for criticism following his sending off while Xhaka got a defence from Arteta ...

That said Pepe while being subpar was actually not that bad yesterday ...unlike Willian he found himself doubled up on ...Willian was the worse winger of the two yet was kept on for 90 minutes ...
 
People backing Arteta and blaming the players are just clueless on football.

The whole reason dressing room problems begin is because of poor management and weak man management, the issue here is not the players its the manager who is a clown and if you cant see that you dont know jack about football.

There are players who are ticking time bombs like Roy keane, but a man like Fergie never let him become a nuisance, managed him smartly and let him go when he didn't need him anymore.
Man management is the no.1 skill for a manger, its why ole has succeeded at MU taking one of the most toxic environments and a dressing room with big egos and a player like Pogba who doesnt wnat to be at the club and turning it around, now he can call on pogba and put him on a football pitch and get a world class performance out of him even when hes irritated and wants to get out of the club. This is what man management is all about.

The players Areta manages are childs play compared to what ole inherited at MU from Mourinho,

If Areta had to manage a real football teamwith big egos he would resign and collapse under pressure, the guy will struggle to manage a school football team. This is his first job in football managment and most likely his last, no premiership team in the right mind will employ him once hes sacked.

The longer Arsenal wait the more damage they do to there club, they need someone to come in now and do a cleanup job, get Auba back to form, bring Guendouzi and Torreira back and get saliba in the team. Before its to late and they leave.
 
Apparently Barcelona are interested in bringing Bellerin back to the club so that he can warm the bench for Dest.

Arsenal should gladly accept anything in the 20-25m range. He can take his vegan and social activism nonsense back to Barcelona because he is clearly not interested in football anymore.
 
PetroDollars said:
People backing Arteta and blaming the players are just clueless on football.

The whole reason dressing room problems begin is because of poor management and weak man management, the issue here is not the players its the manager who is a clown and if you cant see that you dont know jack about football.

There are players who are ticking time bombs like Roy keane, but a man like Fergie never let him become a nuisance, managed him smartly and let him go when he didn't need him anymore.
Man management is the no.1 skill for a manger, its why ole has succeeded at MU taking one of the most toxic environments and a dressing room with big egos and a player like Pogba who doesnt wnat to be at the club and turning it around, now he can call on pogba and put him on a football pitch and get a world class performance out of him even when hes irritated and wants to get out of the club. This is what man management is all about.

The players Areta manages are childs play compared to what ole inherited at MU from Mourinho,

If Areta had to manage a real football teamwith big egos he would resign and collapse under pressure, the guy will struggle to manage a school football team. This is his first job in football managment and most likely his last, no premiership team in the right mind will employ him once hes sacked.

The longer Arsenal wait the more damage they do to there club, they need someone to come in now and do a cleanup job, get Auba back to form, bring Guendouzi and Torreira back and get saliba in the team. Before its to late and they leave.
Click to expand...

It’s just people who backed Arteta at the start who don’t want to be wrong ...they don’t realise they look more stupid by not admitting they backed a flop ...the likes of Lee Gunner has exposed these types...far too many of them ...
 
shaykh said:
It’s just people who backed Arteta at the start who don’t want to be wrong ...they don’t realise they look more stupid by not admitting they backed a flop ...the likes of Lee Gunner has exposed these types...far too many of them ...
Click to expand...

I understand people support managers/players, but they lose support when it hits the fan. Most of MU fans supported the appointment of Jose even though LVG just won the FAcup but hardly anyone wanted him here by the end of this reign. Those people that still support Arteta are simply enemies of Arsenal, i can understand brighton/fulham/burnley fans supporting Arteta as its the clearest shot of them avoiding relegation, but arsenal fans. LOLzzzz
 
PetroDollars said:
I understand people support managers/players, but they lose support when it hits the fan. Most of MU fans supported the appointment of Jose even though LVG just won the FAcup but hardly anyone wanted him here by the end of this reign. Those people that still support Arteta are simply enemies of Arsenal, i can understand brighton/fulham/burnley fans supporting Arteta as its the clearest shot of them avoiding relegation, but arsenal fans. LOLzzzz
Click to expand...

Look at the arguments they make ...

With Emery it was Emery...

Now it’s the players ...point out that Emery had virtually the same team minus Partey and Gabriel ...amusingly the players they mock are the ones that Arteta favours ...Mamoon tried cussing Guendouzi and Torreira when his messiah starts Elneny ...

If not the players then it’s Edu...cos Edu has his ‘relationship’ with Willian and Luiz...let’s negate the fact that Arteta picks the team and these guys get picked consistently ...

If not the players or Edu then it’s Josh Kroenke ...this despite the same board backing Emery and Wenger a lot less ...

These guys don’t even come across as Arsenal fans ...just part of the Arteta cult ...it’s amazing to me that fans of a club as big as Arsenal are tolerating being in a relegation dogfight ...
 
shaykh said:
Look at the arguments they make ...

With Emery it was Emery...

Now it’s the players ...point out that Emery had virtually the same team minus Partey and Gabriel ...amusingly the players they mock are the ones that Arteta favours ...Mamoon tried cussing Guendouzi and Torreira when his messiah starts Elneny ...

If not the players then it’s Edu...cos Edu has his ‘relationship’ with Willian and Luiz...let’s negate the fact that Arteta picks the team and these guys get picked consistently ...

If not the players or Edu then it’s Josh Kroenke ...this despite the same board backing Emery and Wenger a lot less ...

These guys don’t even come across as Arsenal fans ...just part of the Arteta cult ...it’s amazing to me that fans of a club as big as Arsenal are tolerating being in a relegation dogfight ...
Click to expand...

mamoon never makes sense on what ever he talks about.

Arteta actually has a better team than Emery, with Partey. Emery gave him the most deadly striker in EPL and he destroyed him :)))

With the team its all about managment, keeping the players happy and satisfied, thats why he is called a manager, the clue is in the name.

In the end, it doesnt matter, because he will be sacked and he will never be hired by anyone, in 10 years time he will probably be stacking shelves in tesco, because no one in football will be employing him ever again.
 
I don’t make sense but the guy who said Sterling is rubbish (Depay is better) and Maguire is better than Van Dijk apparently does.

Anyway, I am not interested in point scoring.

It is obvious that Arteta will be one of the best modern managers. He has all the qualities, and I hope the board continues to back him and gives him the funds to build his own squad and create his own identity.

Unfortunately, in this social media era, the common fan has a lot of power and they can use it to exert pressure on the club. Wenger was past his prime and needed to leave anyway, but he was basically hounded out of the club by the non-stop criticism of Arsenal fans.

The biggest problem for Arsenal right now is the toxicity that is AFTV. They have successfully pulled off a scam under the guise of giving fans a platform, when all they do is capitalize on the struggles of the club they pretend to support.

They make money because the club that the support is struggling. You can’t stoop lower than that.

If the club believes in Arteta, they need to stay firm and ignore the external noise. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is how the club views the situation.
 
AFTV is not the biggest problem- but a mix of the players & Arteta- players attitudes stink. Disgraceful.

Arteta MIGHT become a good manager one day but he is at the wrong club-he should have started he’s managing career at a small scale job & worked he’s way up- he is surrounded by egos that he cannot control.
[MENTION=130076]PetroDollars[/MENTION] does go overboard with he’s views- same guy stated that Liverpool will not be competing for the title this season.
 
Arteta is obviously going through a (very) rough patch. But the Emery comparisons are ridiculous. Arteta inherited Emery's horror show of a team and achieved more than Emery did in half a season. Aubameyang was about to leave because of Unai, and the club captain had just flipped off his own fans.

Emery at least had attacking midfielders like Ramsey (who he let go on a free???) and purchased one of our most overpriced and underperforming players in recent history in Pepe.

Arteta inherited all of that and made something of it. Yes he brought in Partey this year, but he's barely been able to play any games due to injury.

Arteta has shown a glimpse of what he can do when the players match his plans, meanwhile Emery who managed in a much easier league season and spent a lot more money never showed one clear plan or style.

Arteta won his cup final against Chelsea, Emery didn't. Drain all the deadwood out and back him in the market, or bring in a new manager and press repeat on the whole process.
 
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will miss Arsenal's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City with a calf injury, says Mikel Arteta.
 
Mamoon said:
I don’t make sense but the guy who said Sterling is rubbish (Depay is better) and Maguire is better than Van Dijk apparently does.

Anyway, I am not interested in point scoring.

It is obvious that Arteta will be one of the best modern managers. He has all the qualities, and I hope the board continues to back him and gives him the funds to build his own squad and create his own identity.

Unfortunately, in this social media era, the common fan has a lot of power and they can use it to exert pressure on the club. Wenger was past his prime and needed to leave anyway, but he was basically hounded out of the club by the non-stop criticism of Arsenal fans.

The biggest problem for Arsenal right now is the toxicity that is AFTV. They have successfully pulled off a scam under the guise of giving fans a platform, when all they do is capitalize on the struggles of the club they pretend to support.

They make money because the club that the support is struggling. You can’t stoop lower than that.

If the club believes in Arteta, they need to stay firm and ignore the external noise. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is how the club views the situation.
Click to expand...

Lol you really are doing the full circle...so the reasons for Arteta not performing are:

1 - the players
2 - Edu
3 - the board
4 - AFTV
 
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