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Arsenal FC | 2022/23 Season

Newcastle have come to play rugby here, no interest in football. The dirtiest game we've been involved in all season. Textbook rotational fouling and it's working a treat for them.

We're in a real old-fashioned battle and we're standing up far better than we have in previous seasons. The problem is we are trying to win this match and they clearly are not, so let's see how we come out in the 2nd half.
 
moving the ball way to slow, to much side ways and backwards passing. Newcastle are well drilled and are providing much space to play into, but we arent getting the ball out wide quick enough.

A lot of Arsenal vs Newcastle games tend to be 0-0 at HT, so all isnt lost. However newcastle are capable of nicking a goal which will make things even tougher, we have no real options on bench to change game going forward.

Il happily take a 1-0 from here with a scruffy goal.
 
Got a feeling we are going drop points in this game tonight
 
Arsenal applying pressure but Newcastle holding firm. Still plenty of time for a goal but gunners looking more likely to score.
 
Zero quality forward to bring off the bench, this is the issue when first 11 dont do it, ESR injured and rest of our bench is bottom of PL level in terms of quality
 
Tommyassu needs to play better then he did last game when he came on.
 
The fact Vieira, Marquinhos havent even been asked to warm up shows Arteta has zero faith in the bench players.
 
Dropped points, the fact we have zero quality on the bench shown up tonight.

We need at least 2 attackers signed before the spurs game.
 
We are going to have to go to Spurs and win now, we cant afford to drop points against spurs or United now.
 
Congratulations to Newcastle, they were playing for a 0-0 & executed their plans perfectly.

Arsenal cannot win every game, 14 wins in 17 is brilliant. Should have had a plan B today, the main reason why Arsenal couldn’t break Newcastle was because Ødegaard was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession.

Hopefully Chelsea can get a point at least vs City on Friday.
 
As I said, forget about the possibility of dropping points against City, it's already began. I was trying to tell you all as politely as possible but you have to stop harbouring visions of winning the title.

It's just not that Arsenal are starting to bottle it, they're just not strong enough to win the league yet. Winning the Premier League over the course of 38 games is no joke.

I'm not taking a dig here but we need to reconcile with the reality.
 
As I said, forget about the possibility of dropping points against City, it's already began. I was trying to tell you all as politely as possible but you have to stop harbouring visions of winning the title.

It's just not that Arsenal are starting to bottle it, they're just not strong enough to win the league yet. Winning the Premier League over the course of 38 games is no joke.

I'm not taking a dig here but we need to reconcile with the reality.

No one apart from Mamoon has talked about Arsenal winning the title.

Ive said all season we have needed better sqaud depth and strength in attacking areas. Depending on ESR to stay fit and come back is not enough. We need to sign mudryk and another attacker. Just like in 2nd half of last season when starting 11 doesnt score we have zero options on the bench.
 
Newcastle are a tough side to beat.

They defended brilliantly and saw off the threat of Saka and Martinelli.

The biggest problem Arsenal have is a lack of bench strength if their main players get injured.
 
Newcastle came and parked the proverbial bus for 90 minutes.

Ref had a horrendous game stopping the flow in the first half.
Also clear penalty not given in the first half.

Even then it took a fine save from their goalkeeper to keep out Nketiah.

We need Mudryk and and Perez to freshen it up
 
As I said, forget about the possibility of dropping points against City, it's already began. I was trying to tell you all as politely as possible but you have to stop harbouring visions of winning the title.

It's just not that Arsenal are starting to bottle it, they're just not strong enough to win the league yet. Winning the Premier League over the course of 38 games is no joke.

I'm not taking a dig here but we need to reconcile with the reality.

Yeah because you have to win 38 out of 38 matches to win the league & no PL champion has had a 0-0 draw at home.

Arsenal will win the league this season. Please feel free to bump this post in May.
 
As an Arsenal fan please can I ask other supporters to hold back talks of the title.
The goal this season was always top 4.
If we win the title then that would be an unexpected bonus.

Our squad is not strong enough and our first eleven will struggle for form at times so as fans we just have to stand behind them and push them to remain in the top 4.
 
Congratulations to Newcastle, they were playing for a 0-0 & executed their plans perfectly.

Arsenal cannot win every game, 14 wins in 17 is brilliant. Should have had a plan B today, the main reason why Arsenal couldn’t break Newcastle was because Ødegaard was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession.

Hopefully Chelsea can get a point at least vs City on Friday.

There is no plan B, who was on the bench Marquinhos? Vieira? Absolute zero quality. If we fall behind vs Spurs or Man united in next 2 games we have no depth on bench to change the game.

You cant just depend on your starting 11 to do everything.

Arsenal need to stop penny pinch and get the Mudryk deal done and get another attacker in as well, as depending on ESR to stay fit and be only option on bench aint enough.
 
Newcastle have come to play rugby here, no interest in football. The dirtiest game we've been involved in all season. Textbook rotational fouling and it's working a treat for them.

We're in a real old-fashioned battle and we're standing up far better than we have in previous seasons. The problem is we are trying to win this match and they clearly are not, so let's see how we come out in the 2nd half.

Nonsense

We defended well and limited you to not many chances

I think the referee spoiled the game by giving Bruno and Wilson soft yellows, he then had to book Arsenal players for soft yellows

Was a very poor refereeing performance that spoiled the game

Overall delighted with the point, first team to deny Arsenal a win at home and first team to stop Arsenal scoring. We are a few windows behind Arsenal so this game showed we are progressing nicely.
 
Even Les Ferdinand saying it was a clear cut penalty....

That was a ridiculous decision
 
Newcastle came and parked the proverbial bus for 90 minutes.

Ref had a horrendous game stopping the flow in the first half.
Also clear penalty not given in the first half.

Even then it took a fine save from their goalkeeper to keep out Nketiah.

We need Mudryk and and Perez to freshen it up

But then in order to be a title winning team, you need to find solutions to get past said bus. This is what City have been doing and Liverpool in seasons past.

And you would expect Newcastle to sit in and play on the counter being the away team. That said they still got up the park and could have scored themselves.
 
Yeah because you have to win 38 out of 38 matches to win the league & no PL champion has had a 0-0 draw at home.

Arsenal will win the league this season. Please feel free to bump this post in May.

Okay.
 
But then in order to be a title winning team, you need to find solutions to get past said bus. This is what City have been doing and Liverpool in seasons past.

And you would expect Newcastle to sit in and play on the counter being the away team. That said they still got up the park and could have scored themselves.

Well we were denied a clear penalty and on another day Nketiah scores that goal which was saved by the goalies legs. So we showed that we can get opportunities even against a team that has the best defensive record in the league.

In a game of few chances we could have nicked it by one or two goals.
One nil or two nil would have been job done and everyone would be talking up our title chances again.

But we're not the finished article. We need another striker and midfielder. We're one injury away (Partay or Saka) from being the Arsenal of 2020...

On a positive note, only a year ago we could easily have lost this game.
Lose our shape and get countered... we have come a long way from those frustrating nights
 
Both teams should have had a penalties tonight, we were lucky not to conceded one for a blatant foul on Burn.

Our play was slow tonight and that helped Newcastle as they were always going to sit back.

City can now close the gap to 2 points before we play spurs. We also have numerous players on 4 yellow cards now, so unless we sort are **** bench out we are going to get exposed on lack of squad depth in next few games.

I can't see us beat spurs away, a draw is beat we will get. So we need strengthen big time in next week or so.
 
The capitulation of Arsenal have officially begun. I have seen this script a few times in Wenger's final years, where Arsenal were in a title race at the start of the year, but in the second half of the season, they collapse and become involved in a top four race.
 
Newcastle are no mugs, they came for a point and they got one. We still have to go away to Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and man City yet.

In games like tonight, you need quality from the bench and we had zero. Vieira signing is waste of money and it's clear Arteta does trust him. There is no guareentee that ESR is staying fit either.

Time for kronkes to spend big.
 
Even Les Ferdinand saying it was a clear cut penalty....

That was a ridiculous decision

But what nobody is mentioning is that it came from a free kick where Joelinton won the ball, so it was a ridiculous decisions all around
 
Well we were denied a clear penalty and on another day Nketiah scores that goal which was saved by the goalies legs. So we showed that we can get opportunities even against a team that has the best defensive record in the league.

In a game of few chances we could have nicked it by one or two goals.
One nil or two nil would have been job done and everyone would be talking up our title chances again.

But we're not the finished article. We need another striker and midfielder. We're one injury away (Partay or Saka) from being the Arsenal of 2020...

On a positive note, only a year ago we could easily have lost this game.
Lose our shape and get countered... we have come a long way from those frustrating nights

Swings and roundabouts with decisions so best take the medicine and move on. Not the finished article but best group of young players in the league.

You got rid of non triers like Auba but sad thing is if his heart and desire was in it, guys like him in addition to the current squad could have made you genuine title contenders come May.

But lacking that bit of nous and strength in depth is going to make Arsenal a top 4 team at best for now.
 
The capitulation of Arsenal have officially begun. I have seen this script a few times in Wenger's final years, where Arsenal were in a title race at the start of the year, but in the second half of the season, they collapse and become involved in a top four race.

Hold your horses dude, we've all been told Arsenal will win the league this season.
 
Yes that is also true :)
Was it from the Linton "non foul" on Saka?

That's the one, got the ball and not only was a free kick given he got booked for it

Thought the referee had a poor game and all the cards in the first half spoiled it
 
Hold your horses dude, we've all been told Arsenal will win the league this season.

As an Arsenal fan, I would be happy just with top 4

If we are in a position to win the league having secured champions league, why not!
 
It's alright, no need for panic stations yet. Played well mostly and could've easily won that on another day, Newcastle defended brilliantly.

It's the 1st match of the season that we haven't scored, and 1st home game of the season that we haven't won. It's just an off day.

Spurs will be a very different game, they won't be putting 11 men behind the ball on their own turf. They are there for the taking, I'm confident.

We can still make this a good title fight, though no one is getting carried away as rival fans far below in the league on here seem to think. Supporting one's team is quite offensive clearly.
 
Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle: Mikel Arteta says his side were denied two 'scandalous' penalties

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is "really proud" of his side, and they should have been awarded two "scandalous" penalties in their goalless draw against Newcastle.

A resilient Magpies display kept the Gunners at bay and brought to an end their 11-game Premier League winning streak at Emirates Stadium.

But Arteta cut a frustrated figure at full-time and said his side were wrongly denied penalties - first when Dan Burn pulled Gabriel back after a free-kick, before Jacob Murphy appeared to handle the ball in the final minutes.

Frustrations were visible at the Emirates as Arteta and his players frantically waved their arms in the air in protest of the decisions, which were both checked by the Video Assistant Referee.

"There were two penalties. It's very simple. I'm talking about what I've seen. It was two scandalous penalties," said Arteta.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64158901
 
As an Arsenal fan, I would be happy just with top 4

If we are in a position to win the league having secured champions league, why not!

No worries bro, its all good. This was a decree sent down by one of PP's finest.
 
Arsenal transfer news: Optimism Gunners will agree Mykhailo Mudryk deal with Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix a target

There is growing optimism that Arsenal will agree a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhailo Mudryk, while the Gunners are also in talks with Atletico Madrid over the loan signing of Joao Felix.

Arsenal and Shakhtar are continuing conversations over the size of the fee and the payment structure for Mudryk.

One source has told Sky Sports News that Arsenal are prepared to pay a fee closer to Shakhtar's £85m valuation. An agreement hasn't been reached yet but Arsenal are working hard to find a compromise.

There is a feeling from sources close to the deal that the clubs will "find a solution", with the 21-year-old wanting the move and personal terms not expected to be a problem.

Arsenal are also in talks with Atletico over the loan signing of Felix.

It is thought the Spanish club want in the region of £19m for a six-month loan deal which would include wages, but Arsenal feel that it is too much and will only pursue a move if the figures are right.

A loan switch for the 23-year-old, who has a contract at Atleti until the summer of 2026, works for both clubs.

Diego Simeone's side are keen to maintain his market value for a potential sale in the summer, while Arsenal are looking for cover for the injured Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to return later this season.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...eal-with-atletico-madrids-joao-felix-a-target
 
It's alright, no need for panic stations yet. Played well mostly and could've easily won that on another day, Newcastle defended brilliantly.

It's the 1st match of the season that we haven't scored, and 1st home game of the season that we haven't won. It's just an off day.

Spurs will be a very different game, they won't be putting 11 men behind the ball on their own turf. They are there for the taking, I'm confident.

We can still make this a good title fight, though no one is getting carried away as rival fans far below in the league on here seem to think. Supporting one's team is quite offensive clearly.

Have you watched Spurs this season?

They play negative football the majority of the time
 
Have you watched Spurs this season?

They play negative football the majority of the time

Believe me, I've thoroughly enjoyed watching them this season. My point is that it will be a very different game to this one.

In a North London Derby at their own ground, they won't park the bus and give us double the possession and double the shots. They are bound by the occasion and atmosphere to come out of their shell a little bit. The derby will be more about mental fortitude and transitions, whereas this game was about breaking down a stubborn low block.
 
Believe me, I've thoroughly enjoyed watching them this season. My point is that it will be a very different game to this one.

In a North London Derby at their own ground, they won't park the bus and give us double the possession and double the shots. They are bound by the occasion and atmosphere to come out of their shell a little bit. The derby will be more about mental fortitude and transitions, whereas this game was about breaking down a stubborn low block.

I do agree when it comes to a Derby then form goes out of the window and they'll be up for it.

However I don't see their style of play changing, it's not what Conte does. They'll sit back, absorb pressure and try to hit you on the counter.

If you get an early goal I can see it be a convincing win.
 
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side "don't have many options" in attack but insists they are trying to improve this in January.

Chelsea are considering making a bid for Mykhailo Mudryk, even though there is "growing optimism" from Arsenal that they will agree a deal for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger.
 
City are 1-0 at Chelsea and if they win the gap will be down to 5 points.

Our record away to spurs is awful and we havent won their since 2014. We rarely look like even getting a draw away to them, add to that they should have a fully fit squad. Best we will get is a draw.

Mr predictions

Man City will beat Chelsea (5 point gap)
Man City will beat man utd (2 point gap)
Arsenal draw vs spurs (3 point gap)
Man City will beat spurs (level at top)
Man City will beat wolves (City 3 points top - played 1 game extra)

Arsenal vs man united (by time this game comes round we will be chasing city)

We pretty much need 6 points from spurs and united games, getting in wingers / strikers after these 2 games will be just a waste of time, edu and kronkes taking to long with transfers as usual.
 
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side "don't have many options" in attack but insists they are trying to improve this in January.

Chelsea are considering making a bid for Mykhailo Mudryk, even though there is "growing optimism" from Arsenal that they will agree a deal for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger.

We zero options! I have said this all season you go past 14 players we have nothing.

City have brought on grealish and mahrez tonight at 0-0, also got world cup winner Alvarez on the bench.

We brought on who vs Newcastle?
 
Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona's teenage star Alejandro Balde with the 19-year-old Spanish full-back yet to sign a contract extension. (Sport)
 
Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona's teenage star Alejandro Balde with the 19-year-old Spanish full-back yet to sign a contract extension. (Sport)

We don't need another full back, we need attackers and we need them in before the spurs game.
 
It's alright, no need for panic stations yet. Played well mostly and could've easily won that on another day, Newcastle defended brilliantly.

It's the 1st match of the season that we haven't scored, and 1st home game of the season that we haven't won. It's just an off day.

Spurs will be a very different game, they won't be putting 11 men behind the ball on their own turf. They are there for the taking, I'm confident.

We can still make this a good title fight, though no one is getting carried away as rival fans far below in the league on here seem to think. Supporting one's team is quite offensive clearly.

In Firebat we trust!
 
We've seen Premier League mangers make changes aplenty this weekend, with them appearing to focus on the league more than the FA Cup.

How Arsenal will approach the FA Cup this season is currently unknown.

They have a five-point lead on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, as they look to win their first title since 2004.

They have a proud history in the FA Cup though, winning the competition a record 14 times.

Mikel Arteta's side were knocked out of the competition by then Championship side Nottingham Forest in the third round last season.

"It is a competition that is attached to the successful history of this club and on Monday we have a good test," added Arteta.

"It will be difficult and we have to take the competition very seriously, the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level, to win the match.

"Not many years ago we won it, but then we had the experience last year of going out of the competition so it is a competition we want to play in and compete."

BBC
 
Arsenal are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about the transfer of forward Mykhailo Mudryk.

The 22-year-old is one of the most highly rated young forwards in the game and has attracted interest from a number of clubs across Europe.

The Gunners have reportedly had a bid rejected for the Ukraine international but the two clubs are still in discussions about a possible deal.

Arsenal are in the market for a forward after the injury to Gabriel Jesus.

Manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about the need for the club to bring in the "right signings".

Shakhtar Donetsk's director of football, Darijo Srna, has been in London and was pictured at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League last week.
 
Looks like a bit of a banana skin this game.

Can’t underestimate the difficulty of FA Cup ties.

Oxford have started very well.

Arsenal will have to move up a gear or two in order to win this one.
 
Like the Europa league and league Cup some fringe players getting a chance to play tonight and they are looking lightweight and poor as usual. Pretty much getting Bullied Holding, elneny, lakonga and Vieira have beeb mediocre so far tonight.

This squad needs some serious upgrades on squad depth. Eddie up front has looked useless as well.
 
Lewis Bate has been playing as a central midfielder for Oxford this season. On loan from Leeds United. Apparently he has been doing quite well. Let’s have a goal Lewis! :)
 
Looks like a bit of a banana skin this game.

Can’t underestimate the difficulty of FA Cup ties.

Oxford have started very well.

Arsenal will have to move up a gear or two in order to win this one.

Just shows how poor our squad is once you take key players out, especially the midfield. You would think Oxford were team in the PL, the way game has been single so far.
 
HT 0-0

January 2022 all over again, just like last season squad depth being exposed. Chelsea take literally a few hours to sort signings while Arsenal will **** in the wind all TW as usual.
 
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes Eddie Nketiah is getting better and better after helping the Gunners set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Manchester City by beating Oxford United at Kassam Stadium.

Nketiah scored twice in six second-half minutes after Mohamed Elneny's opener to secure the Gunners' progression.

It is now five goals in his last six games for Nketiah, who has stepped up in the absence of injured striker Gabriel Jesus.

"He showed great composure," said Arteta. "He's a great finisher, with the timing of his runs as well.

"He showed his quality and his work-rate is getting better and better. I'm really happy with him.

"We have only one [striker] and to go many months before Gaby is back it's not easy, but we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment."

The Premier League leaders were frustrated in the first half by a well-organised and disciplined Oxford side before eventually overpowering their League One opponents.

Fabio Vieira was Arsenal's creator-in-chief, sending in a perfect free-kick for Elneny to head past Oxford goalkeeper Eddie McGinty in the 63rd minute before playing a perfect pass for Nketiah to finish calmly finish seven minutes later.

Oxford, who had battled so hard, were now struggling to cope with Arsenal's attacking threat and Nketiah was on the mark again after 76 minutes with a delicate chip over McGinty from Gabriel Martinelli's pass to confirm that powerhouse meeting with City at Etihad Stadium.

There was concern for Arsenal before Sunday's north London derby with Tottenham when Bukayo Saka went off with an injury, but Arteta played down the seriousness of it.

"He's fine," he told ITV Sport. "He'll be OK."

BBC
 
Nketiah really is a fantastic finisher. He's now the joint top scorer in all comps for us this season.
 
Mudryk at Shakhtar training camp as Arsenal talks continue

Mykhailo Mudryk has travelled to Turkey with the Shakhtar Donetsk squad for a mid-season training camp as talks continue with Arsenal.

Sky Sports News has been told discussions continue around the structure of a potential deal.

Arsenal are thought to be encouraged by Mudryk's desire to join the club.

The Arsenal board want to continue to back manager Mikel Arteta in this window. The board and manager totally aligned on recruitment.

SKY
 
As expected zero urgency or not proactive in transfer window. Next 3 fixtures spurs, United and City.

The kronkes and edu are useless, I said a while back this TW would show if club was ambitious or not or just fussed about top 4.

Kronkes are a bunch of frauds and Edu is useless at his job as well. Same repeated mistakes as last year January.
 
As expected zero urgency or not proactive in transfer window. Next 3 fixtures spurs, United and City.

The kronkes and edu are useless, I said a while back this TW would show if club was ambitious or not or just fussed about top 4.

Kronkes are a bunch of frauds and Edu is useless at his job as well. Same repeated mistakes as last year January.

We could be back in the race for top 4 let alone falling off the title charge. Hopefully Arsenal do not commit the same mistakes like they always do in the transfer market
 
Time to recalibrate the expectations. Fight for top 4 is ON. Edu - Arteta masterclass lightning strikes twice as far as winter transfer windows are concerned. Spurs, Utd and City next. There is a possibility of getting nothing from those.
 
Arsenal have been charged with "failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion" during the 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford.

The charge relates to an incident in the 34th minute of the victory in round three against the League One side.

Some Arsenal players surrounded referee David Coote after they were denied a penalty for a handball against United's Elliott Moore.

The Gunners have until Monday, 16 January to respond.

"Arsenal FC has been charged with breaching FA Rule E20.1 during its tie against Oxford United FC in the FA Cup," said an FA statement.

BBC
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#57000; EXCL: Arsenal new official proposal for Mykhaylo Mudryk is close to €70m fee plus add-ons, submitted tonight as revealed earlier. ⚪️&#55357;&#56628;&#55356;&#56826;&#55356;&#56806; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFC</a><br><br>Negotiations ongoing with Shakhtar Donetsk to discuss on the add-ons package.<br><br>No issues on personal terms, Mudryk wants the move. <a href="https://t.co/AOaMEnV4Ub">pic.twitter.com/AOaMEnV4Ub</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1613661206249869313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Why the meltdown? Mudryk is on the verge of being signed, it's only a matter of time. Yes it's frustrating that we take a long time to sign players but he's definitely coming.

He might not make it for Spurs, which is not really doomsday scenario as it'll be a game of transitions and composure, we've got more than enough talent in the XI along with ESR and Vieira on the bench to win that game. Mudryk will be in before United.

The world is not always crashing and burning, we are literally 5 points clear at the top of the league. Our fans make it sound like we're battling relegation.
 
Very tough game vs spurs Sunday, we havent won their since 2014 in PL, 2 wins in last 15 years there in PL.

If we get a point on Sunday it will be a good result.
 
Why the meltdown? Mudryk is on the verge of being signed, it's only a matter of time. Yes it's frustrating that we take a long time to sign players but he's definitely coming.

He might not make it for Spurs, which is not really doomsday scenario as it'll be a game of transitions and composure, we've got more than enough talent in the XI along with ESR and Vieira on the bench to win that game. Mudryk will be in before United.

The world is not always crashing and burning, we are literally 5 points clear at the top of the league. Our fans make it sound like we're battling relegation.

Spurs is always a tough game and we need game changers if required in a tight game. ESR is top quality but he's not even fully match fit, if he was he would have started vs Oxford, there is no guarantee he's going to stay fit or regain form quickly.

Vieira Is mediocre, the fact that Arteta didn't bring him on vs Newcastle shows he doesn't trust him. He was also bottling 50:50 challenges and getting bullied in 1st half vs Oxford a league one team. Vieira is nowhere near ready or good enough for a NLD. If your getting out muscled and bullied by a league one team, then it will be a massacre for him vs spurs.

We also need more then just mudryk, we need another midfielder. Elneny and lakonga were rubbish in 1st half vs Oxford, again getting physically bullied as well as usual backwards and sideways slow passing.

The fact we had to bring on xhaka and zinchenko in 2nd half to improve midfield shows how poor at bench strength is when it comes to back up players like elneny / lakonga

If we don't win either vs spurs or united, we could be looking at man united closing gap on us, never mind man City

Transfers should have been done early as it everyone knew we had tough fixtures in January, same repeated slowness from Edu. Vinai needs to shut up as well, the clueless clown is another one who can't do his job properly.

City aren't as strong as they were and arsenal should have been proactive in jumping all over it. As usual haggling over pennies to get transfers done.
 
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Martin Odegaard has been voted the Player of the Month for November and December.

Arsenal's captain becomes only the second Norwegian to win the accolade, after Manchester City's Erling Haaland earned the August 2022 prize.
 
Spurs is always a tough game and we need game changers if required in a tight game. ESR is top quality but he's not even fully match fit, if he was he would have started vs Oxford, there is no guarantee he's going to stay fit or regain form quickly.

Vieira Is mediocre, the fact that Arteta didn't bring him on vs Newcastle shows he doesn't trust him. He was also bottling 50:50 challenges and getting bullied in 1st half vs Oxford a league one team. Vieira is nowhere near ready or good enough for a NLD. If your getting out muscled and bullied by a league one team, then it will be a massacre for him vs spurs.

We also need more then just mudryk, we need another midfielder. Elneny and lakonga were rubbish in 1st half vs Oxford, again getting physically bullied as well as usual backwards and sideways slow passing.

The fact we had to bring on xhaka and zinchenko in 2nd half to improve midfield shows how poor at bench strength is when it comes to back up players like elneny / lakonga

If we don't win either vs spurs or united, we could be looking at man united closing gap on us, never mind man City

Transfers should have been done early as it everyone knew we had tough fixtures in January, same repeated slowness from Edu. Vinai needs to shut up as well, the clueless clown is another one who can't do his job properly.

City aren't as strong as they were and arsenal should have been proactive in jumping all over it. As usual haggling over pennies to get transfers done.

These aren't coherent arguments, you keep switching between different points.

Why do you mention the midfield depth, then talk about the next 2 games? Will Xhaka Zinchenko Partey not play the next 2 games? Of course they will, no one will lay eyes on Elneny or Lokonga.

Are you worried about the next 2 games, or the rest of the season? Are you worried that we will be caught up with by MU, or that we won't be able to pip MC?

If you're worried about the next 2 games: midfield depth, as mentioned, is irrelevant here. Mudryk, joining from the Ukrainian league, would not make the impact you think he would coming on as sub for his debut in PL high pressure top table clashes. He wouldn't even know our system well enough yet, let alone handle the high stakes environments we are operating in. He'll need a few games.

It is the XI that can and will be able to win these matches, as they have been doing all season. Neither Spurs nor United will defend as resolutely and aggressively as Newcastle (who have conceded the least goals in the league, far less than the above 2). The games will be won on composure, not bench strength.

If you're worried about the rest of the season: sure, midfield depth is an issue, I agree. But the reality is, to win a title you have to be incredibly lucky with injuries, because every single team without exception has those few players they cannot do without. Ask Liverpool how far a title and UCL winning side drops off with the loss of specific key players. If Man City were to lose Ederson or Rodri or Haaland they would drop far below their usual level.

Who can Arsenal realistically get now in Jan that could replace what Partey Xhaka Zinchenko are currently doing? The list is practically non-existent. Any midfield reinforcements would just make up numbers, but could not recreate our current level if the above dropped out. The next midfielders we buy are the ones we build new systems around, the 100+m Rice's and Bellingham's of the world, who cannot be touched with a 10-foot pole in a winter window.

In terms of attacking depth, they will be plentiful once Mudryk inevitably arrives. Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Nketiah, ESR, Mudryk, Vieira, Odegaard, Nelson. At least 2/3 high quality options for each position. You might call Vieira mediocre, but don't forget he has already won us PL points away at Brentford and Wolves with outstanding contributions and performances.
 
Arsenal are confident of completing the £80m signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, 22, from Shakhtar Donetsk in time for the Ukraine winger to make his debut against Manchester United next weekend. (Times)
 
Arsenal are confident of completing the £80m signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, 22, from Shakhtar Donetsk in time for the Ukraine winger to make his debut against Manchester United next weekend. (Times)

£80m

huge price tag. Hope he's worth it
 
These aren't coherent arguments, you keep switching between different points.

Why do you mention the midfield depth, then talk about the next 2 games? Will Xhaka Zinchenko Partey not play the next 2 games? Of course they will, no one will lay eyes on Elneny or Lokonga.

Are you worried about the next 2 games, or the rest of the season? Are you worried that we will be caught up with by MU, or that we won't be able to pip MC?

If you're worried about the next 2 games: midfield depth, as mentioned, is irrelevant here. Mudryk, joining from the Ukrainian league, would not make the impact you think he would coming on as sub for his debut in PL high pressure top table clashes. He wouldn't even know our system well enough yet, let alone handle the high stakes environments we are operating in. He'll need a few games.

It is the XI that can and will be able to win these matches, as they have been doing all season. Neither Spurs nor United will defend as resolutely and aggressively as Newcastle (who have conceded the least goals in the league, far less than the above 2). The games will be won on composure, not bench strength.

If you're worried about the rest of the season: sure, midfield depth is an issue, I agree. But the reality is, to win a title you have to be incredibly lucky with injuries, because every single team without exception has those few players they cannot do without. Ask Liverpool how far a title and UCL winning side drops off with the loss of specific key players. If Man City were to lose Ederson or Rodri or Haaland they would drop far below their usual level.

Who can Arsenal realistically get now in Jan that could replace what Partey Xhaka Zinchenko are currently doing? The list is practically non-existent. Any midfield reinforcements would just make up numbers, but could not recreate our current level if the above dropped out. The next midfielders we buy are the ones we build new systems around, the 100+m Rice's and Bellingham's of the world, who cannot be touched with a 10-foot pole in a winter window.

In terms of attacking depth, they will be plentiful once Mudryk inevitably arrives. Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Nketiah, ESR, Mudryk, Vieira, Odegaard, Nelson. At least 2/3 high quality options for each position. You might call Vieira mediocre, but don't forget he has already won us PL points away at Brentford and Wolves with outstanding contributions and performances.

Your bring up city (all time) and Liverpool (previous
Seasons) who both have had miles better squad depth then we have. The lack of options was there for everyone to see in Newcastle game where there was zero quality on the bench. If Vieira was that good then arteta would have brought him on. Reiss Nelson is nowhere near good enough either and is injured, so this so called 2/3 quality options in each position is non existent.

We have a strong starting 11 and then Tomi, Tierney and ESR who are like for like quality as the 1st 11, those 3 mentioned can't even stay fit. The squad depth was shown up in the Europa league games where no players really stepped up and have shown they are ready for 1st team, same thing happened in league Cup game and FA Cup game.

City have around 17-18 players of similar quality and Liverpool were same in previous Seasons. There are going to plenty of tight games in 2nd half of season where you need to bring players in to start or off bench to change games. That lack of bench strength was exposed last season and hasn't exactly been improved on this season either.

Yeah we need to be even more lucky not to get injuries then most top sides as the back up players have shown they ain't good enough or arteta doesn't trust them.

We are going to be playing CL next season and you think our bench players are good enough for that? They looked mediocre in EL and league Cup vs Brighton.

We ideally need another striker, winger and a midfielder who is better then lakonga / elneny to compete on all fronts.

Same naivety of not strengthing in Jan last year cost us top 4, same mistakes this season could cost us a chance of winning league.
 
BREAKING: Chelsea are trying to hijack Arsenal's move for Mkyhalyo Mudryk.

Mudryk's preferred destination remains Arsenal but they are yet to agree on a final deal with Shakhtar.
 
BREAKING: Chelsea are trying to hijack Arsenal's move for Mkyhalyo Mudryk.

Mudryk's preferred destination remains Arsenal but they are yet to agree on a final deal with Shakhtar.
[MENTION=138771]Firebat[/MENTION] - If chelsea Hijack these deal, feel free to Defend Edu the clown. Like i said before Arsenal once again pissing in the wind with transfers and taking to long to get them done.
 
Why the meltdown? Mudryk is on the verge of being signed, it's only a matter of time. Yes it's frustrating that we take a long time to sign players but he's definitely coming.

He might not make it for Spurs, which is not really doomsday scenario as it'll be a game of transitions and composure, we've got more than enough talent in the XI along with ESR and Vieira on the bench to win that game. Mudryk will be in before United.

The world is not always crashing and burning, we are literally 5 points clear at the top of the league. Our fans make it sound like we're battling relegation.

On verge of joining? The deal looks like being hijacked by Chelsea, lets hear you excuses if it happens!
 
Chelsea have hijacked the deal, it’s done. They’ve put ludicrous 100m on the table and Arsenal have walked away. Unbelievable
 
[MENTION=138771]Firebat[/MENTION] - If chelsea Hijack these deal, feel free to Defend Edu the clown. Like i said before Arsenal once again pissing in the wind with transfers and taking to long to get them done.

Lol, never in my life have I written 1 post in defence of Edu :)))

But would you seriously sanction Arsenal splashing 3 figures on a kid with 13 career goals? 80m is pushing it, but 100m is utterly ridiculous. I cannot believe they would put that on the table.

We need to pivot quickly and get someone else in ASAP. That kind of money has to get us a better player
 
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