Arsenal FC | 2023/24 Season

[FearlessRoar]

The playing lineup for Arsenal.

 

[Amjid Javed]

2 quick goals and a good start

 

[Amjid Javed]

Comedy central from crychenko

 

[Amjid Javed]

FULL-TIME​

Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

3 points in bag, shame about stupid goal which was given away

Luton (away) next so should be looking at another 3 points there

 

[MenInG]

Comedy central from crychenko

Thank God I didn't see that!

Just looked at final result.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC :

“Football is not perfect, but I’m really happy with the way we played.

“It should have been a much bigger scoreline. We made a mistake and they take the chance, and it’s game on in the Premier League.

“We had chances and we didn’t put them away, but we kept trying. We had some big, big chances to put the game to bed.

“We have to keep winning matches and performing the way we are. That’s the challenge, to keep doing that every three days because we have another important game at Luton.”

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Just hope Arsenal don't bottle it again this season. They were so close to glory last year. Arsenal players must learn to master their nerves because they gonna need it for the glory.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Thank God I didn't see that!

Just looked at final result.

We control game for 85 mins, then gave a silly goal away, it was the 1st mistake by Zinchenko either. Things like that need to stop.

Alot of fixtures this month including Vill and Liverpool (away) and Brighton (home) who do well at Emirate, so that 3 game spell will tell us more about this team.

We need smash Luton on Tuesday before that

 

[Amjid Javed]

Just hope Arsenal don't bottle it again this season. They were so close to glory last year. Arsenal players must learn to master their nerves because they gonna need it for the glory.

When it gets to end of march, Arsenal's last 9 fixtures include away games at Man city, Brighton, spurs and man utd. So we will see if this club can handle title run in pressure

 

[topspin]

@Amjid Javed @topspin

How much does this hurt?

View attachment 139549

Seeing him benched today must have given you the most heartburn since India’s loss in the WC final.

Arteta clearly doesn’t rate him otherwise he would’ve started against Wolves after having scored in his last 2 games.

Also the fact that you won’t take up my bet shows that you are no different to him and myself because deep down you don’t believe in him. You’re just here to troll Arsenal fans.

 

[topspin]

He's a coward, he won't agree to such a thing.

All he does is make statements like

"Arteta is best young manager"

"Havertz is Germany greatest player of all time"

"Title is in the bag"

"Imam is greatest Pakistan player ever"

"Current Indian team is greatest in history of game"

All of this nonsense and once he's wrong again he will run off and hide or change the subject

The fact that Arteta benched him after scoring in his last two games and with Mamoon’s refusal to take up my offer shows that no one believes in him.

Anyone who truly rates him and Imam has a unique appetite for mediocrity.

 

[Firebat]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports:

"I am really happy with the way we played and dominated the game, the big situations we generated to win the game more comfortably. At the end, we made an error and then it's game on in this league. The team was extraordinary today, again.

"The aggression we showed to play forward and take risks and find gaps in the right moments. We were really aggressive again, defensively definitely. I'm really happy.

"We have to find solutions, the chemistry between the players and keep developing that. Today we generated a lot against a team that is very well organised and they have shown against the top teams what they are capable of doing.

"We are happy with the performances we are having, they are really consistent. We are generating a lot and not conceding much. We have to continue with another big one on Tuesday.

"We train really little, we have one day to prepare for football matches, making sure everyone is physically and mentally in the best condition and maintain momentum, that's it."

 

[Mamoon]

Seeing him benched today must have given you the most heartburn since India’s loss in the WC final.

Arteta clearly doesn’t rate him otherwise he would’ve started against Wolves after having scored in his last 2 games.

Also the fact that you won’t take up my bet shows that you are no different to him and myself because deep down you don’t believe in him. You’re just here to troll Arsenal fans.

Havertz has 8 starts and 6 sub appearances in the league; Trossard has 5 and 5.

The idea is to rotate both so that both stay fresh and allow Arsenal to compete on all fronts.

Squad rotation wasn’t great last season but it is different this season. If Arteta doesn’t rate a player he banishes him; if you are playing for him he rates you. That is how ruthless a manager he is.

I know it hurts a lot to see Havertz prove you wrong and show his worth to the club and it is only the beginning, but let this be a lesson for you and others - don’t hate a player too much especially those that are playing for your club and especially those who have just arrived.

Give them time and give them patience. People like you never gave Havertz a chance and started writing him off since day 1 but he had support from the manager and the players and that is all that matters.

Havertz is turning it around and will turn it around even more in the coming months. He will be part of the nucleus that will win major trophies and the thought of that is certainly very painful.

Nevertheless, every painful experience is a learning experience. The lesson learned is that Arteta is no ordinary manager, he is an absolute genius and there is no doubt about the fact that he will make Arsenal PL champions within 2 years if not this year, so trust his judgement because he knows what he is doing and he sees things that ordinary, impatient fans do not.

 

[Mamoon]

Just hope Arsenal don't bottle it again this season. They were so close to glory last year. Arsenal players must learn to master their nerves because they gonna need it for the glory.

Liverpool bottled the league in 18-19, learned from that experience and won it the next season.

Arsenal will do the same. My expectation is that they will win the league this season as simple as that.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Liverpool bottled the league in 18-19, learned from that experience and won it the next season.

Arsenal will do the same. My expectation is that they will win the league this season as simple as that.

I think saying Liverpool bottled it in 18-19 is incredibly harsh, they lost by a single point to City, who ended the season winning 14 games in a row. The margins were so fine, for example they were poor against Leicester and were heading to a draw but for a Kompany wonder strike

Arsenal had a much bigger lead and they dropped points that they had in their control (Liverpool and West Ham) and to a poor side (Southampton) before losing to City (no shame in this)

Thpugh I do agree with your prediction about Arsenal winning, I think the experience of last season will prove to be beneficial and the signing of Rice has added solidity to your side

 

[Amjid Javed]

The idea is to rotate both so that both stay fresh and allow Arsenal to compete on all fronts.

Squad rotation wasn’t great last season but it is different this season.

For 1st time uve had decency to say last season squad rotation was great.

So who is to blame there then? The manager?

This goes back to my point ive made again and again, and why I don't rate this manager. There is a difference between being a decent coach and been able to manage a squad. The end of season collapses for last 3 seasons have been due to poor squad management.

With Partey, ESR, Vieira out for a while and a busy December we will see how this squad is rotated.

In jan-feb there will be no Partey, elneny and tomiyassu as well as they will be at Afcons / asia cup so again squad will be stretched.

So the objective according to you is to fight on all fronts?

Ok so if Arsenal fail to win a trophy, then who is accountabile? Because it will be 4 season without a trophy. I bet there will be more excuses because of it happens.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Arsenal vs Liverpool in 3rd round of FA cup. We will see now whether this team is good enough to fight on all fronts

 

[Mamoon]

I think saying Liverpool bottled it in 18-19 is incredibly harsh, they lost by a single point to City, who ended the season winning 14 games in a row. The margins were so fine, for example they were poor against Leicester and were heading to a draw but for a Kompany wonder strike

Arsenal had a much bigger lead and they dropped points that they had in their control (Liverpool and West Ham) and to a poor side (Southampton) before losing to City (no shame in this)

Thpugh I do agree with your prediction about Arsenal winning, I think the experience of last season will prove to be beneficial and the signing of Rice has added solidity to your side

In 18/19, Liverpool had a 9 point lead over City after 20 games. To surrender a 9 point lead over the next 18 matches was a massive choke. It was a meltdown.

People don’t perceive it as a choke like Arsenal last season because it didn’t happen right at the end and since Liverpool played really well in the last few games and finished on level points, people forget that they had a 9 point lead at one point.

The only real difference between Arsenal 22-23 and Liverpool 18-19 was the timing and sequence of the collapse.

 

[Mamoon]

For 1st time uve had decency to say last season squad rotation was great.

So who is to blame there then? The manager?

This goes back to my point ive made again and again, and why I don't rate this manager. There is a difference between being a decent coach and been able to manage a squad. The end of season collapses for last 3 seasons have been due to poor squad management.

With Partey, ESR, Vieira out for a while and a busy December we will see how this squad is rotated.

In jan-feb there will be no Partey, elneny and tomiyassu as well as they will be at Afcons / asia cup so again squad will be stretched.

So the objective according to you is to fight on all fronts?

Ok so if Arsenal fail to win a trophy, then who is accountabile? Because it will be 4 season without a trophy. I bet there will be more excuses because of it happens.

Every manager makes mistakes. Arteta is not perfect but he is a fantastic manager and he has done more than enough to win the trust of Arsenal fans. To say that you don’t rate him is simply ridiculous because he has done more than enough to be rated.

Trophies eventually come. It is a by-product of team improvement and by trophies, I am referring to the big two not domestic cups because you can win them while being in disarray.

Arteta won an FA Cup in 2020 even though the team was out of sorts. Ten Hag won a cup last year and look at them now.

Finishing second in the league + mounting a serious title challenge is much better than finishing 4th/5th, not challenging for the title and winning a domestic cup.

There is a sense of direction when you challenge for the title. It shows the strength and the capability of the squad. You have to be a quality side to finish 2nd and challenge for the title but even a struggling team can win FA/League Cup.

I have no doubt at all that Arsenal will win the league under Arteta very very soon and win multiple times unlike Klopp. As far as UCL is concerned, it is harder to predict because it is a cup competition - some great teams have failed to win it while some less than great teams have.

What I’m certain about is that under Arteta Arsenal will have an impact on the competition, make semifinals regularly, beat some big clubs. Arsenal won’t be there just to make up the numbers like in the last few seasons under Wenger.

It is beyond me how anyone cannot see the job Arteta is doing just because he hasn’t won the PL yet. Compare the way Arsenal played in Dec 2019, the players that they had, the atmosphere, the team culture. The difference between now and then is day and night.

 

[MK7Z]

Every manager makes mistakes. Arteta is not perfect but he is a fantastic manager and he has done more than enough to win the trust of Arsenal fans. To say that you don’t rate him is simply ridiculous because he has done more than enough to be rated.

Trophies eventually come. It is a by-product of team improvement and by trophies, I am referring to the big two not domestic cups because you can win them while being in disarray.

Arteta won an FA Cup in 2020 even though the team was out of sorts. Ten Hag won a cup last year and look at them now.

Finishing second in the league + mounting a serious title challenge is much better than finishing 4th/5th, not challenging for the title and winning a domestic cup.

There is a sense of direction when you challenge for the title. It shows the strength and the capability of the squad. You have to be a quality side to finish 2nd and challenge for the title but even a struggling team can win FA/League Cup.

I have no doubt at all that Arsenal will win the league under Arteta very very soon and win multiple times unlike Klopp. As far as UCL is concerned, it is harder to predict because it is a cup competition - some great teams have failed to win it while some less than great teams have.

What I’m certain about is that under Arteta Arsenal will have an impact on the competition, make semifinals regularly, beat some big clubs. Arsenal won’t be there just to make up the numbers like in the last few seasons under Wenger.

It is beyond me how anyone cannot see the job Arteta is doing just because he hasn’t won the PL yet. Compare the way Arsenal played in Dec 2019, the players that they had, the atmosphere, the team culture. The difference between now and then is day and night.

I think the most anti Arteta fan can agree with the last bit. Whether he can make the next step we have to wait and see. I hope he does I really do
He has bought us back to a standard. Lets be honest they were low. Now is the time to elevate those standards.

I wanted to be in the race come January. Lets see what the window brings.

That's what will tell us how the season will end in my opinion. A Partey replacement/cover. A striker.

Realistically its one or the other. I reckon he will strengthen midfield

Ramsdale will leave which may free up some money

What is good to see is despite the Zinchenko brain fart we looked really good and more fluent. Wolves are no pushovers. They beat City, Spurs and should have beat Man united or at least drew with the late pen call. Played Liverpool off the park for an hour of the game, Drew against Newcastle.

So yea should have been more comfortable if it weren't for the cry baby who had a really poor game. This happens with him after a few good games he thinks he is prime Dino. Do your job mate

 

[Amjid Javed]

I think the most anti Arteta fan can agree with the last bit. Whether he can make the next step we have to wait and see. I hope he does I really do
He has bought us back to a standard. Lets be honest they were low. Now is the time to elevate those standards.

I wanted to be in the race come January. Lets see what the window brings.

That's what will tell us how the season will end in my opinion. A Partey replacement/cover. A striker.

Realistically its one or the other. I reckon he will strengthen midfield

Ramsdale will leave which may free up some money

What is good to see is despite the Zinchenko brain fart we looked really good and more fluent. Wolves are no pushovers. They beat City, Spurs and should have beat Man united or at least drew with the late pen call. Played Liverpool off the park for an hour of the game, Drew against Newcastle.

So yea should have been more comfortable if it weren't for the cry baby who had a really poor game. This happens with him after a few good games he thinks he is prime Dino. Do your job mate

We will see if he can make the next step or not at end of season. He has no where to hide and no excuses left.

We are out of the league cup, we have a very tough 3rd rough FA cup tie vs liverpool. We certainly ain't winning the CL.

Yes we were in a title race last season, yes we have started well this season. But ultimately just like the last 3 seasons it will come down whether Arteta can actually hand end of season pressure and rotate effectively at crunch time.

Unless the club sells a few players in January, I can't see us signing a midfielder and a striker that we need to go all the way. The kronkes will need to stump up the cash, most of transfer funds in summer were essentially from high league finish and a certain minimum guarantee of money CL cash this season.

Back in 2019 football wasn't great, has it improved yes? Is there any accountability for the failures in last 3 seasons? No

Until their is accountability the team won't get over line.

Also you look at any PL title Arsensl have won they have gone on big winning runs at back end of season to win it.

This season will be no different, this tram is goinv to have to show it can do thar from march onwards.

None of current 3 will run away with the league here.

 

[MK7Z]

We will see if he can make the next step or not at end of season. He has no where to hide and no excuses left.

We are out of the league cup, we have a very tough 3rd rough FA cup tie vs liverpool. We certainly ain't winning the CL.

Yes we were in a title race last season, yes we have started well this season. But ultimately just like the last 3 seasons it will come down whether Arteta can actually hand end of season pressure and rotate effectively at crunch time.

Unless the club sells a few players in January, I can't see us signing a midfielder and a striker that we need to go all the way. The kronkes will need to stump up the cash, most of transfer funds in summer were essentially from high league finish and a certain minimum guarantee of money CL cash this season.

Back in 2019 football wasn't great, has it improved yes? Is there any accountability for the failures in last 3 seasons? No

Until their is accountability the team won't get over line.

Also you look at any PL title Arsensl have won they have gone on big winning runs at back end of season to win it.

This season will be no different, this tram is goinv to have to show it can do thar from march onwards.

None of current 3 will run away with the league here.

We can only hope right? Back them until the end and then re-assess.

Nothing to gain from I told you so.

ESR, Eddie, Ramsdale, Partey will all generate something to maybe go in the window. Who knows. I just say sit back and enjoy the ride,

 

[MK7Z]

Do any of you get go to any games? I haven't since Covid.

Tickets are much harder to come by. I used to travel to most of the Away games up North like Everton, Burnley, Anfield, Hull when they were here as had a contact who couldn't always travel to far away away games but was a season ticket holder. Hoping Brammal Lane this year but it might be with the home fans as quite a few colleagues are season ticket holders.

Waiting for my boys to get older and then try to get to games at the Emirates.

 

[MenInG]

Ok @Mamoon and @Amjid Javed

Have been watching posts on this thread for a while and the feedback from other posters is that you 2 have taken over this thread, not to discuss Arsenal but to take shots at each other.

It's fine if you do this once in a while but if every post is like that then this is a problem.

From now on stick to discussing Arsenal without trying to call each other names.

And @topspin as well

Seems we have some issues here so read this and post sensibly

 

[Amjid Javed]

Team should be aiming for a clean sheet, 3 or 4 goals and 3 points

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Arsenal will still go on to win this game but that's poor from Raya

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

And that's another mistake from Raya, yikes

 

[Amjid Javed]

Defensively a shambles tonight. The less said about the so called keeper as well the better.

Supposedly Arsensl are controlling games better this season and defensively have improved

 

[KingKhanWC]

Defensively a shambles tonight. The less said about the so called keeper as well the better.

Supposedly Arsensl are controlling games better this season and defensively have improved

I thought defence was the main strength of Arsenal?

Luton isnt an easy ground to travel but plenty of time for the winner yet.

You just have to take risks now and attack attack. I'd bring Eddie on.

 

[KingKhanWC]

6 mins of ET. Luton deserve the draw. Just need to be physical and start fouling some of these weak mids.

 

[Amjid Javed]

I thought defence was the main strength of Arsenal?

Luton isnt an easy ground to travel but plenty of time for the winner yet.

You just have to take risks now and attack attack. I'd bring Eddie on.

You will need to ask those fans directly who were deluded enough to think that Arsenal have improved defensively, that they are playing with more control.

Oh yeah and the manager is ruthless supposedly aswel with players

People getting carried away because City have draw some tough games, then thinking Arsenal were going to open some huge gap up.

This performance is like the 2 performances vs Southampton last season

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Late, late winner from Rice, fair play

Cruel on Luton but you need to concentrate until the final whistle

 

[Amjid Javed]

Rice bails out Arsenal 4-3

 

[Amjid Javed]

Did what Liverpool did at weekend, scrapped 3 points after concededing 3

 

[KingKhanWC]

You will need to ask those fans directly who were deluded enough to think that Arsenal have improved defensively, that they are playing with more control.

Oh yeah and the manager is ruthless supposedly aswel with players

People getting carried away because City have draw some tough games, then thinking Arsenal were going to open some huge gap up.

This performance is like the 2 performances vs Southampton last season

Another rabbit out of the hat! Rice again.

Good effort to keep going but feel sorry for Luton, they deserved a point at least.

After the last couple of matches, Im confident Arsenal arent good enough to win the league.

Looking forward to seeing your lot at Anfield, it will be fun against this defence and keeper.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Another rabbit out of the hat! Rice again.

Good effort to keep going but feel sorry for Luton, they deserved a point at least.

After the last couple of matches, Im confident Arsenal arent good enough to win the league.

Looking forward to seeing your lot at Anfield, it will be fun against this defence and keeper.

Liverpool are just as average defensively as Arsenal, only difference is Allison usually bails Liverpool our with number of chances you concede.

Yes game at Anfield will be tough.

Arsenal have tough games vs Villa, and Brighton before that

 

[topspin]

Rice has been unbelievable for Arsenal. Best player for us this season. He's a clutch player with elite mentality.

I also have to give credit to Havertz for making it 3 goals in 3 games. I hope he can justify his £70m price tag.

Raya's 2 x mistakes didn't surprise me one bit. He's not strong enough mentally to be playing for a big club.

I'll say it again, Ramsdale's treatment by Arteta has been nothing short of criminal.

 

[Firebat]

Rice is our best signing in a long long long time

 

[Mamoon]

Two goals conceded from corners, it can happen. It isn’t a slight on the defense solidity of Arsenal this season who are very hard to score again from open play.

The stats prove it. It is not just a perception of some fans so it is not something that is up for debate.

Obviously, the addition of Rice has made a monumental difference. Best DM in the world right now. No one can intercept the ball and read a pass the way he does. Simply incredible.

Also lovely to see Havertz giving yet another shut up call. He has found his feet and the support of the manager and the genuine fans is rubbing off.

He is paying back the investment and the faith and this is only the beginning. He will be a massive player over the next few seasons.

Massive game coming up on Saturday. A chance to remind Emery why he is best suited to be a big fish in a small pond and didn’t have what it takes to manage Arsenal.

Emery and Martinez getting owned by Arsenal over the weekend would be just perfect.

 

[topspin]

You will need to ask those fans directly who were deluded enough to think that Arsenal have improved defensively, that they are playing with more control.

Oh yeah and the manager is ruthless supposedly aswel with players

People getting carried away because City have draw some tough games, then thinking Arsenal were going to open some huge gap up.

This performance is like the 2 performances vs Southampton last season

The goals that Arsenal conceded were not mistakes that were made by their defenders. 2 of the 3 goals came from Raya's errors. The other goal was a free header because Martinelli didn't mark his man well.

Arsenal have improved defensively and have more control as a result of the trio, Rice, Saliba and Gabriel. Arteta just needs to bring Ramsdale back.

I don't think it's fair to blame our backline for any of those goals.

Also, you have to give some credit to Luton, they're physically very strong and some of their players are very tall as well. It's not easy to defend corners against players of such stature.

 

[topspin]

Two goals conceded from corners, it can happen. It isn’t a slight on the defense solidity of Arsenal this season who are very hard to score again from open play.

The stats prove it. It is not just a perception of some fans so it is not something that is up for debate.

Obviously, the addition of Rice has made a monumental difference. Best DM in the world right now. No one can intercept the ball and read a pass the way he does. Simply incredible.

Also lovely to see Havertz giving yet another shut up call. He has found his feet and the support of the manager and the genuine fans is rubbing off.

He is paying back the investment and the faith and this is only the beginning. He will be a massive player over the next few seasons.

Massive game coming up on Saturday. A chance to remind Emery why he is best suited to be a big fish in a small pond and didn’t have what it takes to manage Arsenal.

Emery and Martinez getting owned by Arsenal over the weekend would be just perfect.

I wouldn't be so confident. Villa have won all of their home games in the league this season so far.

 

[Mamoon]

Havertz was always going to come good. The only problem is that some fans have no clue about football while others have no clue about what it means to show some patience.

He is only 24. You have to be really good to be capped almost 50 times by Germany by 24. He didn’t have the right environment at Chelsea but Arteta knew why he was buying him and he what he wanted from him.

Arteta shows it time and time again that he is an elite manager. Certainly the best young manager in the world and you have to put your faith in him because he knows what he is doing.

There is absolutely no doubt that Arsenal will win the league under Arteta. They are very, very close.

As I have said before, the 2023-2030 period for Arsenal will be very similar to the 1997-2005 golden era of Wenger where he won three league titles.

Expect at least two titles for Arsenal in the next 4 years.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Rice not good enough to lace Rodris boots.

Not surprised the media hype up the pre ma Dona English players.

Bar Kane and Bellingham, rest are average

 

[Mamoon]

I wouldn't be so confident. Villa have won all of their home games in the league this season so far.

It is going to be a tough game for sure, but Arsenal should win if they execute their plans. There is no doubt about the fact that Arsenal is a better team than Villa and Arteta is a better manager than Emery.

Very few Villa players will start for Arsenal and there is a reason why Emery was booted out by the club while they never even thought about removing Arteta regardless of the criticism by the impatient fans.

 

[Firebat]

Rice has been unbelievable for Arsenal. Best player for us this season. He's a clutch player with elite mentality.

I also have to give credit to Havertz for making it 3 goals in 3 games. I hope he can justify his £70m price tag.

Raya's 2 x mistakes didn't surprise me one bit. He's not strong enough mentally to be playing for a big club.

I'll say it again, Ramsdale's treatment by Arteta has been nothing short of criminal.

In my opinion Ramsdale is not any better. There are 5+ min compilations of Ramsdale making similar errors and weak shot stopping in an Arsenal shirt, in some of our biggest games. Thierry Henry made a good point on punditry just now - Ramsdale made 2 poor errors just last week which could have easily been punished like Raya's today, but he got bailed out by his teammates.

And to be honest I'm biased because I can never forgive / forget what Ramsdale did vs Southampton at the end of last season.

In my eyes Raya and Ramsdale are equally average shot-stoppers, and while Raya is better on the ball, a title-winning side should be aiming higher than both of them. What's criminal is doing all that scouting and spending the money only to not even get an upgrade.

 

[Mamoon]

Rice not good enough to lace Rodris boots.

Not surprised the media hype up the pre ma Dona English players.

Bar Kane and Bellingham, rest are average

I knew that someone would arrive to cheerlead Rodri at the first mention of Rice. It is quite difficult for Arsenal haters to digest the fact that Rice is playing for Arsenal and actually chose to play for Arsenal.

Every single PL team would kill to have him in their team, which is why you will always have someone twerk for Rodri as soon as Rice is praised for his brilliance.

Rodri is a great player too, they have similarities and also differences. No doubt Rodri is a better passer, maybe a better tackler too, but Rice’s interceptions and recoveries are out of this world.

Man City fans won’t take Rice over Rodri and that is fine, but no Arsenal fan would take Rodri over Rice either. The impact Rice has had on the club, his character and personality and the general feel-good factor he has brought is indispensable and they wouldn’t swap that for the dirty Spaniard who admittedly is brilliant but deserves to get sent-off nearly every game.

The criticism of English media overhyping players is an outdated one. It is not 2010 anymore - England have some outstanding players right now and Rice is one of them. There is much more to England than Kane and Bellingham.

The problem, or the tragedy, is that England have somehow managed to hand over their most talented squad in 50 years to an incompetent and uninspiring manager. A world class manager would win it all with this England squad.

 

[Mamoon]

Raya and Onana are incredibly similar. Average short stoppers, great on the ball but their biggest handicap is their height. They have very limited reach. Physical profile is very important for keepers. Both lack presence.

I would choose Ramsdale over Raya. He is a much bigger character and his shithousery has an impact on the team. Yes he makes errors too but he is a better personality to have in the team compared to Raya who has been a wreck so far and based on his physical limitations, it is hard to see him getting much better.

It isn’t just a confidence issue like Kai.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Rice not good enough to lace Rodris boots.

Not surprised the media hype up the pre ma Dona English players.

Bar Kane and Bellingham, rest are average

Rodri is a better player but Rice is having a better season

Absurd to say he isn't good enough to lace his boots

Kane, Bellingham, Saka, Rice, Stones are genuinely quality

Then you have Foden, who lacks consistency and TAA who offensively is unbelievable, his challenge is defensively

England have plenty of talent and in the youth level they are producing more and more

 

[topspin]

In my opinion Ramsdale is not any better. There are 5+ min compilations of Ramsdale making similar errors and weak shot stopping in an Arsenal shirt, in some of our biggest games. Thierry Henry made a good point on punditry just now - Ramsdale made 2 poor errors just last week which could have easily been punished like Raya's today, but he got bailed out by his teammates.

And to be honest I'm biased because I can never forgive / forget what Ramsdale did vs Southampton at the end of last season.

In my eyes Raya and Ramsdale are equally average shot-stoppers, and while Raya is better on the ball, a title-winning side should be aiming higher than both of them. What's criminal is doing all that scouting and spending the money only to not even get an upgrade.

Ramsdale’s mistake against Southampton last season was criminal.

But from what I’ve seen of both him and Raya. Ramsdale has definitely been the better goalkeeper and this is evident by the fact that he was in the PL team of the year for last season.

The only thing that Raya is better at is ball distribution.

Raya is a nervous wreck and has doesn’t have the mentality to survive at at a big club. You can’t have someone like him in goal.

Also, I prefer someone with a bigger reach and is taller. Ramsdale has the clear advantage in this regard.

Ramsdale has a lot to improve a lot to improve on but when it comes to choosing between him and Raya, there’s no comparison. Ramsdale is the superior goalkeeper.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Arteta experiment nearly backfired badly

 

[topspin]

Raya and Onana are incredibly similar. Average short stoppers, great on the ball but their biggest handicap is their height. They have very limited reach. Physical profile is very important for keepers. Both lack presence.

I would choose Ramsdale over Raya. He is a much bigger character and his shithousery has an impact on the team. Yes he makes errors too but he is a better personality to have in the team compared to Raya who has been a wreck so far and based on his physical limitations, it is hard to see him getting much better.

It isn’t just a confidence issue like Kai.

Very good point about his personality. He has the ability to get into the heads of his opponents, whereas Raya is just a nervous wreck.

 

[topspin]

Arteta experiment nearly backfired badly

Which experiment are you referring to?

 

[Firebat]

Raya and Onana are incredibly similar. Average short stoppers, great on the ball but their biggest handicap is their height. They have very limited reach. Physical profile is very important for keepers. Both lack presence.

I would choose Ramsdale over Raya. He is a much bigger character and his shithousery has an impact on the team. Yes he makes errors too but he is a better personality to have in the team compared to Raya who has been a wreck so far and based on his physical limitations, it is hard to see him getting much better.

It isn’t just a confidence issue like Kai.

I'm not even bothered to have a Ramsdale-Raya debate. Both are beneath where we want to be, we should be debating who to upgrade with.

This is not a GK of reach or "presence", this is a weak, flappy, overexcited child with borderline ADHD:

Sure we can say he's still young only 25 he can improve, which is true, but we are not scrapping for top 4 or just a young team on the up anymore, this is the real deal. We are fighting for those small inches in title races and CL glory. We cannot afford to keep tolerating these mediocre lapses from both Ramsdale and Raya.

Arteta recognised that and was right to spend on a keeper in the summer, but clearly failed to do it properly. Now we and the media are stuck debating every day between 2 average keepers.

 

[topspin]

Do any of you get go to any games? I haven't since Covid.

Tickets are much harder to come by. I used to travel to most of the Away games up North like Everton, Burnley, Anfield, Hull when they were here as had a contact who couldn't always travel to far away away games but was a season ticket holder. Hoping Brammal Lane this year but it might be with the home fans as quite a few colleagues are season ticket holders.

Waiting for my boys to get older and then try to get to games at the Emirates.

I went to the Liverpool game where we won 3-2 last season.

I try to go to some of the tasty ones like against Man U, Spurs, City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

I will be looking to get tickets against Chelsea and Liverpool.

It certainly is harder to get tickets.

It takes some unreal persistence with the refresh button

Silver members have it so easy when it comes to picking up tickets but the waiting list is like over 10 years wait!

 

[Firebat]

I went to the Liverpool game where we won 3-2 last season.

I try to go to some of the tasty ones like against Man U, Spurs, City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

I will be looking to get tickets against Chelsea and Liverpool.

It certainly is harder to get tickets.

It takes some unreal persistence with the refresh button

Silver members have it so easy when it comes to picking up tickets but the waiting list is like over 10 years wait!

I'm a Silver member and with the new ballot system this year I have not been able to get a single ticket! I apply for the Silver member ballot for almost every single game and absolutely no luck. Finding it impossible to get tickets this year.

 

[topspin]

Rice not good enough to lace Rodris boots.

Not surprised the media hype up the pre ma Dona English players.

Bar Kane and Bellingham, rest are average

Delusional. Rice has been the best DM in Europe this season.

 

[topspin]

I'm a Silver member and with the new ballot system this year I have not been able to get a single ticket! I apply for the Silver member ballot for almost every single game and absolutely no luck. Finding it impossible to get tickets this year.

Sorry to hear that. I didn’t think it would be that difficult to get a ticket as a silver member.

I remember there being a new ballot system. Does that mean they have stopped the early access? I remember if you were silver member, tickets were accessible 2 months before the game.

 

[Firebat]

Sorry to hear that. I didn’t think it would be that difficult to get a ticket as a silver member.

I remember there being a new ballot system. Does that mean they have stopped the early access? I remember if you were silver member, tickets were accessible 2 months before the game.

With the previous system of releasing tickets at a certain time/date, they could not stop the reselling bots hoovering up a lot of them, so they've switched to this new system. Now, for Silver members for example, there is a specific time period, usually 4/5 days, where any Silver member can enter the ballot and then they will randomly (and supposedly fairly) distribute all the Silver allocation of tickets among those who entered.

Reduces the participation of bots perhaps but now of course the competition for any one ticket is extremely high since many many people will enter the ballot in those 4/5 days, so the individual probability of securing one of those tickets is tiny.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Which experiment are you referring to?

Kiwior for Cryenko

 

[IMMY69]

Oh how I wish we still had Martinez in goal...

Goalkeeping aside, another victory chalked off and we have to just keep going... big game on Saturday and a win at inform Villa would be a big statement to the chasing pack.

I always loved Rice and you can scroll back to before we bought to him to see what I had to say about him... he was the one player who we should have broken the bank for and I'm so glad we did....

Havertz also paying back his manager for the unwavering support.. he has looked better and better over the last few games and, dare I say it, could end up being a top class signing..


Finally, the defence is still great and even with Timber's injury, we now have depth and are not easy to score against (goalkeeping errors aside)...

COYG

 

[Mamoon]

Arteta getting a yellow card for his celebration of Rice’s winner is pure comedy. The agenda is unreal and couldn’t be more obvious.

Klopp can run the entire field but Arteta cannot step outside the technical area after his team scored a 97th min winner.

What do they expect Arteta to do? Not celebrate or stand like a mannequin when Arsenal are scoring a winner? These pathetic rules are killing the emotion and passion in the game. Absolute madness.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The goals that Arsenal conceded were not mistakes that were made by their defenders. 2 of the 3 goals came from Raya's errors. The other goal was a free header because Martinelli didn't mark his man well.

Arsenal have improved defensively and have more control as a result of the trio, Rice, Saliba and Gabriel. Arteta just needs to bring Ramsdale back.

I don't think it's fair to blame our backline for any of those goals.

Also, you have to give some credit to Luton, they're physically very strong and some of their players are very tall as well. It's not easy to defend corners against players of such stature.

Vast majority of goals for most teams come from mistakes. Conceding two goals from corners is poor to say the least.

Certain Poster was getting carried away here talking about Arsenal defensive away form. Which yes last season was good up until pressure end of season and then fell apart. This season this team still needs to go away to Villa, Liverpool, United, spurs. Man city, brighton. So looking at number of goals conceded at this point is not something which should get over hyped.

The goal keeping situation is a mess. Something Arteta has made a mess of through his entire management stint.

Defensively yes when we have our strongest back 4 it looks good, but as soon as a change is made goals start to leak. That's poor quality defensive depth.

We should be beating wolves and Luton,
Our next 4 games are villa, brighton, Liverpool, West ham. 4 teams who will test how much this team has improved from last season.

I'd we get through these 4 games including taking points of villa and Liverpool that will tell us this team is looking like it's improved from last season.

Villa are miles better team then they were last season, our record at Anfield is a shambles, our home record vs brighton is poor, so we will see if we have gears to go through.

Ramsdale vs Raya - neither is elite enough to win Arsenal a PL title

 

[MK7Z]

Nothing like a last min win! but dont get me wrong we shouldn't be going life and death against Luton

Mistakes cost us the goals otherwise they did nothing. Freak of a game but main thing is that we won.

Good to see Havertz score. Martin had a decent game to although it did get physical for him. Jesus was brilliant and Saka does what Saka does, contributes!

Bad news about Tomiyasu being out for a month, but its the story of his Arsenal career.

I thought the referee was poor all game tbh. Letting them get away with numerous rough challenges. I thought we should have had a penalty to and how VAR didnt ask him to take a look is baffling. The one on the corner with Gabriel being dragged down. Compare that to the Rodri pen vs United.

To sum up the referee he booked arteta for celebrating a last minute winner... what a tool

 

[Amjid Javed]

It is going to be a tough game for sure, but Arsenal should win if they execute their plans. There is no doubt about the fact that Arsenal is a better team than Villa and Arteta is a better manager than Emery.

Very few Villa players will start for Arsenal and there is a reason why Emery was booted out by the club while they never even thought about removing Arteta regardless of the criticism by the impatient fans.

Arteta is better then Emery based on your silly statements with zero stats and facts.

Emery has a proven manager in european football having won europa league. Also got villlareal to a CL semi final.

Arteta has looked clueless in europa league, and we will see how he fares in CL.

You have made a huge song an dance a while ago that Artetas "stats" after 100 PL games etc.. were better then wenger, GG etc.. yet he has achieved nothing.

Emery has managed 90 PL games - won 49, drawn 19, lost 22 (166 points)

In Arteta 1st 90 PL games - won 49, drawn 16, lost 29 (151 points)

So for someone who loves to bring up stats. Stats show Emery has a better return in PL then Arteta.

Since joining Villa, he's pretty much got around about the same number of points as Arsensl have in that same time period.

Never heard such nonsense when it comes to saying one person is better than the other when both stats and achievements say otherwise.

 

[MK7Z]

Emery messed up his big chance at Arsenal. I'll be honest the football was dire. I dont use stats I use my eyes. I am glad he is not in charge of Arsenal.

Good luck to him at Villa, doing a fantastic job and has a great track record in Europe but when it comes to making that step up to a big club he has come up short. Villa is the perfect fit.

In my humble opinion you cant compare managers when one is vastly more experienced and the other is in his 1st job.
If you really wanted to use stats.

Unai Emery

975

524

210

241

53.74

Mike Arteta

203

119

34

50

58.62

The above includes when Unai was PSG manager so take them with a pinch of salt.

I am not a Arteta fan boy nor do I hate him. I just don't see the need for constant infighting when people support the same team yet resort to calling their manager/captain/players names. It seems that people would be happy if a certain player failed or manager failed just so they could be proven right.

I find it odd thats all.

But feel free to carry on. Each to their own

 

[Amjid Javed]

Emery messed up his big chance at Arsenal. I'll be honest the football was dire. I dont use stats I use my eyes. I am glad he is not in charge of Arsenal.

Good luck to him at Villa, doing a fantastic job and has a great track record in Europe but when it comes to making that step up to a big club he has come up short. Villa is the perfect fit.

In my humble opinion you cant compare managers when one is vastly more experienced and the other is in his 1st job.
If you really wanted to use stats.

Unai Emery

975

524

210

241

53.74

Mike Arteta

203

119

34

50

58.62

The above includes when Unai was PSG manager so take them with a pinch of salt.

I am not a Arteta fan boy nor do I hate him. I just don't see the need for constant infighting when people support the same team yet resort to calling their manager/captain/players names. It seems that people would be happy if a certain player failed or manager failed just so they could be proven right.

I find it odd thats all.

But feel free to carry on. Each to their own

Emery did fail at Arsenal for a number of different reasons.

It was no different for David moyes managing after fergie at united, was always going to be a tough ask.

Emery got poor backing from the board, nor was he given players he asked for.

Yes language barrier at time and style of play was unsustainable.

The fact he's turned Villa round so quick shows he's a good coach.

Apart from FA cup win Arteta has achieved nothing, managers are judged on what they win at top clubs. Not "progress"

My point was a simple one, how can you say a manager is better then another when their achievements are no where near the same.

At least uve been smart enough to say Arteta needs to deliver at end of this season. His fan boys though will be ready with excuses if he fails again.

The way half the fan base go on, you would think clubs called Arteta FC, it ain't its called Arsenal football club

 

[IMMY69]

Emery did fail at Arsenal for a number of different reasons.

It was no different for David moyes managing after fergie at united, was always going to be a tough ask.

Emery got poor backing from the board, nor was he given players he asked for.

Yes language barrier at time and style of play was unsustainable.

The fact he's turned Villa round so quick shows he's a good coach.

Apart from FA cup win Arteta has achieved nothing, managers are judged on what they win at top clubs. Not "progress"

My point was a simple one, how can you say a manager is better then another when their achievements are no where near the same.

At least uve been smart enough to say Arteta needs to deliver at end of this season. His fan boys though will be ready with excuses if he fails again.

The way half the fan base go on, you would think clubs called Arteta FC, it ain't its called Arsenal football club

Most, if not all, Arsenal fans will tell you that we're in a great place at the moment. We're playing good football, our defenders are top notch and we have a string of young talented players who, touchwood, will continue to grow with experience.

Rather than trying to prove Arteta is not the man for the job, why not concentrate on the positives.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Most, if not all, Arsenal fans will tell you that we're in a great place at the moment. We're playing good football, our defenders are top notch and we have a string of young talented players who, touchwood, will continue to grow with experience.

Rather than trying to prove Arteta is not the man for the job, why not concentrate on the positives.

I am content with start to season, but not getting carried away. Espcially with the next 3 tough games we have.

 

[ads101]

Very good point about his personality. He has the ability to get into the heads of his opponents, whereas Raya is just a nervous wreck.

Raya was really good last season. And he played in a worse team having to save more shots. Probably first/second best goalkeeper that season (maybe liverpools keeper is ahead). If he had performed at the same level as last season, he’d definitely be an upgrade.

 

[Mamoon]

Arteta is better then Emery based on your silly statements with zero stats and facts.

Emery has a proven manager in european football having won europa league. Also got villlareal to a CL semi final.

Arteta has looked clueless in europa league, and we will see how he fares in CL.

You have made a huge song an dance a while ago that Artetas "stats" after 100 PL games etc.. were better then wenger, GG etc.. yet he has achieved nothing.

Emery has managed 90 PL games - won 49, drawn 19, lost 22 (166 points)

In Arteta 1st 90 PL games - won 49, drawn 16, lost 29 (151 points)

So for someone who loves to bring up stats. Stats show Emery has a better return in PL then Arteta.

Since joining Villa, he's pretty much got around about the same number of points as Arsensl have in that same time period.

Never heard such nonsense when it comes to saying one person is better than the other when both stats and achievements say otherwise.

Emery is a good manager for sure. His record at Sevilla, Villareal and now Aston Villa shows that he is a capable manager who can produce results with humble players, but the experiences with PSG and Arsenal have raised serious doubts over his capacity to handle pressure of the bigger clubs, the expectations and fan criticism, the big egos etc.

There is a reason why Aston Villa didn't have to compete for his signature with any of the top clubs and if he leaves Aston Villa today, you won't see the big powerhouses lining up for his signature. He is not considered as a manager for the big league but Arteta is building that reputation.

Whether you like him or not, the fact that is City would love to have Arteta succeed Pep when Pep decides to leave. However, they won't even consider Emery. If Arteta leaves Arsenal today or shows desire to leave, he will have no shortage of suitors and I'm talking about clubs like PSG, Barcelona, Bayern etc.

You can explain and justify the reasons for Emery's failure at Arsenal, but the bottom-line is that he failed and he also failed to sell himself to the board and convince them that he has what it takes to take Arsenal to the next level. Arteta had a lean period in terms of results as well but he always had the backing of the board because they saw something special in him and he is paying back the faith and the trust now. Arteta is an elite manager in the making; Emery might never manage a big club again. That is the difference between the two.

The big clubs will steer away from Emery after his experience with PSG where he somehow managed to lose a Ligue 1 title in a one horse race and Arsenal where failed to connect with the fans and with the club the way Arteta has. He is building a culture at Arsenal while Emery made no impact whatsoever.

You can consider Emery a better manager and wish he was still Arsenal manager rather than Arteta, but it is not an opinion that the majority of the top clubs will share with you.

 

[Technics 1210]

Luton result might be 3 points for Arsenal, but actually exposes some uncomfortable truths. I mean for starters, anyone who thinks Arsenal's defence is solid needs to have a word with themselves and look at the score line. Luton equalised 3 times within 5 minutes of Arsenal scoring the first 3 goals.

7th goal was pure fluke, but frankly it should never had gotten close to 3-3 in the first place.

 

[topspin]

Wow, I've never seen City, under Pep, being dominated like that. Villa were all over them.

Omnious signs for Arsenal heading into the game on Saturday. Villa have won every game at home and Emery will be eager to prove a point against his old club.

 

[topspin]

Raya was really good last season. And he played in a worse team having to save more shots. Probably first/second best goalkeeper that season (maybe liverpools keeper is ahead). If he had performed at the same level as last season, he’d definitely be an upgrade.

I agree he was decent last season but that's because he didn't have the burden of playing for a big team. Mentally he doesn't fit the profile to be playing for a club like Arsenal. Brentford is his true level.

After seeing Martinez's performance in goal. I really hope Arsenal can somehow try to bring him back even if it means giving him an apology, begging for his forgiveness and also doubling his pay.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Wow, I've never seen City, under Pep, being dominated like that. Villa were all over them.

Omnious signs for Arsenal heading into the game on Saturday. Villa have won every game at home and Emery will be eager to prove a point against his old club.

If Arsenal can win or even avoid defeat that would be some statement because like you say Villa absolutely battered City

Unless City pull their finger out asap it could be a 2 horse race between Arsenal and Liverpool

 

[topspin]

If Arsenal can win or even avoid defeat that would be some statement because like you say Villa absolutely battered City

Unless City pull their finger out asap it could be a 2 horse race between Arsenal and Liverpool

I will happily take a point. The way Villa are playing at home, it's like going away to an European giant (based on current form ofc).

I'll also say Villa are in the title race right now as they're only 4 points behind the leaders but whether they can maintain a title challenge is another question.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I will happily take a point. The way Villa are playing at home, it's like going away to an European giant (based on current form ofc).

I'll also say Villa are in the title race right now as they're only 4 points behind the leaders but whether they can maintain a title challenge is another question.

Yeah, considering they are beating everyone at home then a point isn't a bad result at all

I think for them to be in a title race they need to string a few wins together away from home, if they can do that then they will be amongst it

Though, no doubt their focus will be simply getting into a CL spot and I would back them to do that

 

[Firebat]

I would be a lot happier about that Villa result if we weren't going there on Saturday. Might be the toughest place to go right now, with Villa 14 wins on the trot at home.

But the last team to beat Villa at home was... Arsenal

 

[ads101]

I agree he was decent last season but that's because he didn't have the burden of playing for a big team. Mentally he doesn't fit the profile to be playing for a club like Arsenal. Brentford is his true level.

After seeing Martinez's performance in goal. I really hope Arsenal can somehow try to bring him back even if it means giving him an apology, begging for his forgiveness and also doubling his pay.

Should be harder for a goalkeeper in a smaller club. More shots to face, worse defense and he still did better than ramsdale.

In hindsight, should have just kept with Ramsdale. He's good enough and young so he can improve. Arteta got a bit greedy and though Raya would be an immediate upgrade. I don't buy competition for goalkeepers argument, usually you should back your main goal keeper and have a clear backup. And I think in Arteta's mind his no.1 choice was going to be Raya.

I think Raya is also disadvantaged because the fans really took to Ramsdale, which I don't think they did to Leno (or Martinez). Raya is the guy coming in to oust Ramsdale, which probably won't go down well with a lot of Arsenal fans. I feel that's why I think Ramsdale is a bit overrated. He's decent for sure, but he wasn't one of the best goalkeeper last year IMO, the stats don't support him. Raya actually was.

I think the goalkeeper isn't a big issue though. Loss of Xhaka is the worst and he's hard to replace. Arsenal had a fluid system going and bottled the league with a young time. You go again next season, pretty much same team don't change too mcuh, and Arsenal win the league. Man City are worse than they were last season. Xhaka out, the entire midfield has to adapt and change, and that experimenting and learning to gel will result in some lost points. Arsenal didn't need to strengthen for this season, they just had to go again and this time not bottle it. Though if they had to rebuild, buying guys like Rice is the best way to do it. And with Rice, the potential is probably higher than with Xhaka, but you don't know if that midfield hits its full prime in time for them to win the title this season or not. Xhaka wouldn't have had that risk. But not Arteta's fault, Xhaka wanted to leave.

 

[IMMY69]

I would be a lot happier about that Villa result if we weren't going there on Saturday. Might be the toughest place to go right now, with Villa 14 wins on the trot at home.

But the last team to beat Villa at home was... Arsenal

Also our away record has been extremely impressive so this is going to be a real blockbuster game...

Bring it on

 

[Mamoon]

Luton result might be 3 points for Arsenal, but actually exposes some uncomfortable truths. I mean for starters, anyone who thinks Arsenal's defence is solid needs to have a word with themselves and look at the score line. Luton equalised 3 times within 5 minutes of Arsenal scoring the first 3 goals.

7th goal was pure fluke, but frankly it should never had gotten close to 3-3 in the first place.

I know you are in a lot of pain and it hurts like hell, but such results show real character of the team. Luton made life very difficult for Arsenal but Arsenal still found a way.

Must sting like a bee to see Declan Rice play for Arsenal but it is what it is.