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Arsenal FC | 2023/24 Season

MK7Z said:
Arsenal been very naive. Handed it to Bayern tbh.

Playing a bit excited I think. And as I type this Zinchenko comes on. Sigh. Sane going to be licking his lips
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Tomiyasu is Arsenal's best 1 vs 1 defender, he should have started here.

As should have Partey, think Arsenal's good league form and Bayerns poor league form, meant a bit to much over confidence in selection and play in 1st half.

I said before this game and porto game CL experience and pedigree is huge In such games.

Arsenal in Europe at home in knockout games over last few seasons have been niave and poor. That 1st half was a lesson. 2nd half needs to be salvaged now.
 
Today’s game is yet another example of why Arteta and Edu need to upgrade on Martinelli.

The difference in class between the Brazilian Walcott and Sane/Gnabry couldn’t be more obvious.

He is just not good enough. Nothing more than an impact sub who can stretch tired defenders with his pace and directness.
 
Mamoon said:
You don’t know anything about football but I thought you could comprehend basic English, however, I have to reconsider that now.

Zinchenko was a major driving force behind Arsenal leveling up from a top four contender to title contender. He has great contributions for Arsenal and he should be recognized for it.

However, Arsenal have also signed Timber who is better than him so if a club offers a good price for Zinchenko, why won’t you sell him?

Any player that is not a guaranteed starter for 2024/25 can be sold for the right price.
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You wanted Zinchenko sold during Kiwior's good run of form because you had conceded that he had gone down the pecking order.

You can continue to throw insults but you're not fooling anyone here.
 
Midfield has been awful tonight, jorghino looking woeful and oddegard not much better.

The front 3 playing like statues.

Get Partey on and try and regain some control in middle.

Having more possession means nothing when your doing nothing with it.

Tuchel has copied Peps tactics used last season. Press Arsensl on 2nd transition of play and also play balls into channels quickly and exposed gaps left.
 
Zinchenko has ended the Zinchenko vs Kiwior debate today.

Even those who are blinder than bats can testify that Zinchenko was far better today and he should have started.
 
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@topspin

“Martinelli is better than Trossard” is another one of your gems. 🤣

Trossard wipes the floor with him. Such a technical and efficient player. Martinelli would have scuffed that chance because he can’t get a clean connection 9/10 times.
 
I think Arsenal need to score another here. It will not be easy going 2-2 to Munich.
Remember Arsenal lost against Porto aboard and found tough to beat them at home too
 
Rajdeep said:
I think Arsenal need to score another here. It will not be easy going 2-2 to Munich.
Remember Arsenal lost against Porto aboard and found tough to beat them at home too
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Arsenal need to be switched on here and not niave, already gifted 2 poor goals away.

If a 3rd goal comes it comes, but don't need to force game and lose it
 
A frustrating night where naivety in defence and midfield was exposed.

Tie isn't over and their is a chance. But Arsenal will have to set up tactically and play better in 2nd leg.

Tonight's a lesson not just in Europe but rest of PL, that sloppiness will be punished.

Villa next on Sunday, must win game
 
Mamoon said:
Zinchenko has ended the Zinchenko vs Kiwior debate today.

Even those who are blinder than bats can testify that Zinchenko was far better today and he should have started.

@topspin - apologize for your ignorance.
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Ask mods for a poll. I bet you'll be the only one voting for Zinchenko.
 
topspin said:
Ask mods for a poll. I bet you'll be the only one voting for Zinchenko.
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Don't take the bait bro... Zinchenko was not good today. Countless times mishit his passes. Kept messing up his throw ins. Was out of position several times.
Kept mistiming his jump for headers. Didn't play the line when Bayern hit post.

He was saved with the fact Sane went off.
 
Arsenal last top away performance away in a CL knock away tie was probably when they won 2-0 in San siro vs AC Milan after 0-0 draw at home.

That's sort of performance will be needed in Bayern.

Raya, kiwor, Jorghino, Rice, oddegard, havertz and Martinelli were awful tonight, Zinchenko wasnt much better when he came on - can't have that many passengers in a game.

Tactically very poor from Arteta as well, no control in midfield. No cover for defence between midfield and full backs.

Bayern strength is its two wingers and Arsenal did nothing to counter that when Bayern came forward.

Tomiyasu, Partey have to start 2nd leg. Plus who ever plays through middle has to play better
 
Midfield had to many gaps. Jorg looked leggy.
Artetas subs did well

Bayern wont be as reserved at home so makes for an interesting game.

Nice that that 5-1 sequence was broke
 
Amjid Javed said:
Arsenal last top away performance away in a CL knock away tie was probably when they won 2-0 in San siro vs AC Milan after 0-0 draw at home.

That's sort of performance will be needed in Bayern.

Raya, kiwor, Jorghino, Rice, oddegard, havertz and Martinelli were awful tonight, Zinchenko wasnt much better when he came on - can't have that many passengers in a game.

Tactically very poor from Arteta as well, no control in midfield. No cover for defence between midfield and full backs.

Bayern strength is its two wingers and Arsenal did nothing to counter that when Bayern came forward.

Tomiyasu, Partey have to start 2nd leg. Plus who ever plays through middle has to play better
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Didn’t bully them enough physically in the middle of the park leaving defenders to help & when attacking Bayern easily got numbers back .

Arsenal need their best performance to go through, Bayern are very determined to win this .
 
That was Arsenal's game for the taking. Individual errors and overly attacking tactics played into Bayern's hands.

Arsenal need to learn how to manage these big games. Until then, it's gonna be last 16/quarter final agony for years to come.
 
Advantage Bayern. At least Alphonso Davies will be out for the second leg, so hopefully Saka can take full advantage of this on the right flank.

Raya and Kiwior were largely to blame for the goals conceded. Jorginho is a horrible match up against Bayern due to his lack of pace. There's no way he should be playing in the second leg. Having said that, playing Partey instead would have been an easy decision prior to this season but he looks finished to me.

Arsenal's inability to win the second balls and the sheer difference in pace is worrying. Bayern's team look more clinical and much quicker all-round than Arsenal's side.

The late equaliser was important because Arsenal needed to carry that momentum on this weekend.

I'm sure Tuchel will rest his players on the weekend. His team will be at home and fresher in the second leg. It's going to be a big ask to overcome Bayern.

I'll never understand why VAR didn't intervene and award Arsenal a penalty at the end of the game.
 
KingKhanWC said:
Didn’t bully them enough physically in the middle of the park leaving defenders to help & when attacking Bayern easily got numbers back .

Arsenal need their best performance to go through, Bayern are very determined to win this .
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Arsenal midfield was non existent tonight and passive. Bayern gave up possession and just waited for Arsenal to give ball away on transition. Jorginho looked woeful and just had no legs against better players. Oddegard rarely turns up against better midfielder, Rice had a poor game to.

These are games you need Partey midfield strength, also games where you play your best 1 vs 1 defending full backs.

Arsensl now play 5 games In 15 days.
 
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For the second leg, Arteta will need to make a few changes. The options for each of the following players are listed below:
  • Martinelli - start him again on the left or to bench him given his bad run of form
  • Trossard - start him on the left to replace Martinelli or to start him as a false 9 or bench him again
  • Jesus - start him on the left to replace Martinelli or to start him as a number 9 or bench him again
  • Havertz - start him again as a CF or to play as a number 8 to replace Jorginho or bench him
  • Jorginho - play him again in midfield or bench him. I'm almost certain that he needs to be benched
  • Partey - looks finished to me but he's another option to replace Jorginho

I would like to see Arteta gamble with Havertz and play him as a number 8 to replace Jorginho. We need someone along with Rice who has the physicality and the ability to win those second balls. Bayern were all over Arsenal in this regard.

Martinelli has been poor all season. We could do with his pace but he just seems off it. I say we start Jesus on the left and Trossard as a false 9.

I'm not sure how rusty Tomiyasu is but if he's ready he should start against Bayern in the second leg.
 
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the ref didn't give a pen. But it all makes sense now.

Referee made a howler that TNT have just shown. Gabriel handballed it before taking a goal kick after the ref had blown for a restart. Blatant pen where the ref messed up.

I reckon they've not given the Saka one because of the mess they made on that one.
 
MK7Z said:
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the ref didn't give a pen. But it all makes sense now.

Referee made a howler that TNT have just shown. Gabriel handballed it before taking a goal kick after the ref had blown for a restart. Blatant pen where the ref messed up.

I reckon they've not given the Saka one because of the mess they made on that one.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1777809858453975163

It’s an opinion , did he catch him or did Saka leave his leg out after going past him
 
MK7Z said:
Similar to the Elliott one on the weekend. Both Pens for me as the opposing player has put their leg there. Doesn't matter anyway cos looks like Arsenal got away with one.

Would have been 3-1 had the ref given their one.
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Arsenal very fortunate , you can’t get much clearer pen than picking the ball cup In your area. Tuchel with refs excuse 🤣. Should never ref again if true
 
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KingKhanWC said:
Arsenal very fortunate , you can’t get much clearer pen than picking the ball cup In your area. Tuchel with refs excuse 🤣. Should never ref again if true
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Yup the incident I was referring to.

Kane elbowed Gabriel in the neck by the way.
 
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MK7Z said:
I couldn't for the life of me figure out why the ref didn't give a pen. But it all makes sense now.

Referee made a howler that TNT have just shown. Gabriel handballed it before taking a goal kick after the ref had blown for a restart. Blatant pen where the ref messed up.

I reckon they've not given the Saka one because of the mess they made on that one.
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Having seen it a few times I'm leaning towards it being a pen on Saka, even Neuer has a guilty look on his face which is telling

However, as you say Arsenal can hardly have complaints since Bayern were denied a blatant penalty, nothing subjective about that one
 
The Gabriel penalty situation is the dumbest thing I have seen in years. No referee can be dumb enough to give that one.

No player is stupid enough to pick up a ball in active play like that. It is not hand ball, it is effectively pick up and place the ball.

Even a 2 year old can connect the dots and arrive to the conclusion that Gabriel clearly didn’t hear the ref blow the whistle. It was not a mistake, it was just a confusing situation and breakdown in communication.

No referee will give that one. It would be even more stupid than the Van Persie red card in Barcelona in 2011.
 
We were naive.
Playing at home with no away supporters... played too high a line which played into Munich's hands with their quick forward line.
Played into their counter attacking strategy..

Anyway, all is not lost and hoping we pull it off in the next leg
 
Every Arsenal fan needs to be honest here we did not deserve to win the game.

Whole focus seems to be on saka incident, rather than rest of game. Yeah it could have been given as a penalty. By same basis Bayern should have had one as well. So let thar no over shadow a niave Arsensl performance. Yet another poor home performance in a knockout game in Europe.

The more worry issue was how easily Bayern created chances through the middle of Arsenal's defence. Players ball watching, players not marking their men. Rice and jorghino offered no cover for back 4.

I said before the tie, depending on hoe well Arsenal defend will dictate how well they do last night was very sloppy.

If one of the CBs is going to mark kane tight, then the other CB, Full backs or CDMs need to be close by for any lose balls etc.. yet time and time again Bayern we're 1st to the 2nd balls and with pace gnabry and sane have your asking for trouble.

The game plan was like a PL game, yet difference is Bayerns from 3 is better than anything in the PL right now. The vast majority of teams left in CL have forwards with pace and are clinical.

You want to play in such a fashion. Pick your best 4 defenders in 1 vs 1 situations. Also make sure your midfielders are mobile and physical.

Arsenal have a chance to redeem themselves, but any more niavety, and they are going out as Bayern will punish that.
 
Bayern have only lost 2 games at the Allianz this season apparently

It’s good to be hopeful but it is unlikely Arsenal will win this tie against them. We should have won with a 2 goal lead going into next week’s tie
 
Good to see Saka playing like he did against a huge side. One of his best games in an Arsenal shirt no doubt
 
Amjid Javed said:
The more worry issue was how easily Bayern created chances through the middle of Arsenal's defence. Players ball watching, players not marking their men. Rice and jorghino offered no cover for back 4.
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I was thinking about this too.

Recently brother @topspin asked me about the debate regarding Odegaard and Maddison. My response was simple, that the overseas CAM really does have to hit the ground running for a big club in general. That bloke called Museala kind of reinforced my point. These clubs challenging for CL top 4 spots do not invest in hits and misses for key positions like CB, CM, CAM and CF. You have to have players of that quality that can turn it on against any team in the world.

Yesterday, Museala looked uncontainable and he definitely caused a lot of problems for Rice, Saliba and Gabriel…3 pillars who have been monumental for Arsenal in this season and a major reason why we are top of the league and still in with a chance to win the league. With time I recon, we will start to attract that elite class player
 
Amjid Javed said:
Every Arsenal fan needs to be honest here we did not deserve to win the game.

Whole focus seems to be on saka incident, rather than rest of game. Yeah it could have been given as a penalty. By same basis Bayern should have had one as well. So let thar no over shadow a niave Arsensl performance. Yet another poor home performance in a knockout game in Europe.

The more worry issue was how easily Bayern created chances through the middle of Arsenal's defence. Players ball watching, players not marking their men. Rice and jorghino offered no cover for back 4.

I said before the tie, depending on hoe well Arsenal defend will dictate how well they do last night was very sloppy.

If one of the CBs is going to mark kane tight, then the other CB, Full backs or CDMs need to be close by for any lose balls etc.. yet time and time again Bayern we're 1st to the 2nd balls and with pace gnabry and sane have your asking for trouble.

The game plan was like a PL game, yet difference is Bayerns from 3 is better than anything in the PL right now. The vast majority of teams left in CL have forwards with pace and are clinical.

You want to play in such a fashion. Pick your best 4 defenders in 1 vs 1 situations. Also make sure your midfielders are mobile and physical.

Arsenal have a chance to redeem themselves, but any more niavety, and they are going out as Bayern will punish that.
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I agree with most points.

The naivety cost arsenal the win. This was not a game for Jorg as well as he has done recently.

I don't think Bayern created to much if I'm honest but in the Champions league these teams get a sniff they'll punish you. 2 shots on target 2 goals and hit post at end.

Don't get me wrong they were getting into dangerous positions but we got away with it before a chance was created.

Not sure why more people are not talking about Golden Boy Kanes blatant elbow to Gabriel's throat. He looks to see where he is and then swings his elbow into his throat. He didn't even jump which normally gives benefit to culprit. He was standing still. If that's not violent conduct I don't know what is.

Ref bottled all the big decisions.
 
Rana said:
I was thinking about this too.

Recently brother @topspin asked me about the debate regarding Odegaard and Maddison. My response was simple, that the overseas CAM really does have to hit the ground running for a big club in general. That bloke called Museala kind of reinforced my point. These clubs challenging for CL top 4 spots do not invest in hits and misses for key positions like CB, CM, CAM and CF. You have to have players of that quality that can turn it on against any team in the world.

Yesterday, Museala looked uncontainable and he definitely caused a lot of problems for Rice, Saliba and Gabriel…3 pillars who have been monumental for Arsenal in this season and a major reason why we are top of the league and still in with a chance to win the league. With time I recon, we will start to attract that elite class player
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Musiala is on a different level to Odegaard. He’s a level or two above the Norwegian. He was a menace on the ball last night.
 
MK7Z said:
I agree with most points.

The naivety cost arsenal the win. This was not a game for Jorg as well as he has done recently.

I don't think Bayern created to much if I'm honest but in the Champions league these teams get a sniff they'll punish you. 2 shots on target 2 goals and hit post at end.

Don't get me wrong they were getting into dangerous positions but we got away with it before a chance was created.

Not sure why more people are not talking about Golden Boy Kanes blatant elbow to Gabriel's throat. He looks to see where he is and then swings his elbow into his throat. He didn't even jump which normally gives benefit to culprit. He was standing still. If that's not violent conduct I don't know what is.

Ref bottled all the big decisions.
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I do think Kane has a dangerous challenge in him (The famous Lee Judges rant was caused by Kane if I'm not mistaken) but I'm not convinced it should have been a red card and I usually don't need much reason to want Kane sent off (He caused Lejuene to do his ACL several seasons ago)

With this challenge, where I give him the benefit of the doubt is that Gabriel ducks slightly which is why the contact is caused like that
 
Geordie Ahmed said:
I do think Kane has a dangerous challenge in him (The famous Lee Judges rant was caused by Kane if I'm not mistaken) but I'm not convinced it should have been a red card and I usually don't need much reason to want Kane sent off (He caused Lejuene to do his ACL several seasons ago)

With this challenge, where I give him the benefit of the doubt is that Gabriel ducks slightly which is why the contact is caused like that
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Maybe it's my bias but just seemed a blatant elbow which was intentional and no play for the ball.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1777793470804955167
 
Rana said:
I was thinking about this too.

Recently brother @topspin asked me about the debate regarding Odegaard and Maddison. My response was simple, that the overseas CAM really does have to hit the ground running for a big club in general. That bloke called Museala kind of reinforced my point. These clubs challenging for CL top 4 spots do not invest in hits and misses for key positions like CB, CM, CAM and CF. You have to have players of that quality that can turn it on against any team in the world.

Yesterday, Museala looked uncontainable and he definitely caused a lot of problems for Rice, Saliba and Gabriel…3 pillars who have been monumental for Arsenal in this season and a major reason why we are top of the league and still in with a chance to win the league. With time I recon, we will start to attract that elite class player
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topspin said:
Musiala is on a different level to Odegaard. He’s a level or two above the Norwegian. He was a menace on the ball last night.
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The level of disrespect for Odegaard is hilarious. Keep disrespecting him while he keeps winning man of the match awards.
IMG_5570.png
He is one of the best players in the world. He is football royalty.

Don’t dare comparing to a relegated player like Maddison who didn’t attract interest from anyone except Spurs last summer.

Odegaard has created more chances from open play than any other player in Europe this season. He is a creative genius and the inferiority complex of certain Arsenal fans won’t let them appreciate how good he is.

If Arteta hadn’t transformed Arsenal into a heavyweight again, the top European clubs would all over him right now and Arsenal would have had a very slim chance of keeping him.

Great player, great leader. The best piece of business Edu has done so far. A diamond of a footballer who is worth well in excess of £100m was signed for £30m only, and the best part is that he is yet to peak.

He is simply exceptional and Arsenal are incredibly blessed to have him because any team in the world would love to have him right now.
 
MK7Z said:
I agree with most points.

The naivety cost arsenal the win. This was not a game for Jorg as well as he has done recently.

I don't think Bayern created to much if I'm honest but in the Champions league these teams get a sniff they'll punish you. 2 shots on target 2 goals and hit post at end.

Don't get me wrong they were getting into dangerous positions but we got away with it before a chance was created.

Not sure why more people are not talking about Golden Boy Kanes blatant elbow to Gabriel's throat. He looks to see where he is and then swings his elbow into his throat. He didn't even jump which normally gives benefit to culprit. He was standing still. If that's not violent conduct I don't know what is.

Ref bottled all the big decisions.
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Kane always plays like that nothing new and he Will never change.

It's not just Bayern, pretty much any of the other 6 teams in CL will punish you if you are niave.

Wenger, fergie, Pep, klopp and many other managers have found out the way you play in PL and CL is completely different. Technically most experienced CL campaigned teams are Technically good, know the dark arts and will respect the opposition enough to tactically set up well.

Arsenal thought they were playing Burnley or sheff United with way they tactically set up.

Arsenal need to be pragmatic in 2nd leg, its a one off game now, play patiently, don't have to force the game. Try and keep Bayern front 3 quite, use trossard, saka and Jesus on counter attack.
 
Arsenal and Chelsea are closely monitoring Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney, 28, who would cost up to £40m this summer.
 
The game could have gone either way.

We could have been 2-0 up inside 15 mins or 3-2 down when Bayern hit the post. For me, main concern was Bayern had too much space in the middle and were easily able to play in the middle; this is a tactical issue Arteta needs to address.

Arsenal will be disappointed in the manner they conceded goals but that’s CL for you. You make a mistake, you will suffer.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Steal of the season!

Brentford languishing above relegation zone; Toney's absence had a profound effect.
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Not a chance that any club will get Toney for 40m. Proven PL goal scorer, good in the air, expert penalty taker, good at holding the ball up, english. I expect somewhere between 60-70m. Still a steal even with those prices
 
Think Liverpool are overachieving in general. Didn’t think they would be in the title race, it’s actually pretty surprising to me they have done so well. Still think Arsenal are a more well rounded side and squad due to greater investment. Liverpool are past their prime, dunno what they will do when Salah, and we’re not given enough money to replenish their side. Any injuries are disastrous to them as a result.

Why Klopp is doing such a fantastic job in general. Had he been given the resources of even Arsenal let alone Man Utd, Chelsea or Man City he’d have had quite a few more titles by now.

Think Liverpool especially but also city have been a bit worse than earlier seasons. I think they’d have been wiping the floor with this current Arsenal team than going toe to toe. While Arsenal have been on the up in recent seasons. Which is why I think Arteta could forge something really special in the next upcoming years if things keep going in the same direction.
 
aboveandbeyond said:
Reminds me of Kaka. Wirtz Musiala, Gundogan Kroos midfield for Germany looks very strong
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He is going to be a star. I rate him higher than Bellingham. Mad that he could have played for England. He did at the Youth levels.
 
MK7Z said:
He is going to be a star. I rate him higher than Bellingham. Mad that he could have played for England. He did at the Youth levels.
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Yep. Agree, this guys skill set is on another level to Bellingham.

Yes, he did represent England at youth level whilst his German mother had work commitments in the uk. Once they went back to Germany, it was alway going to be Germany.
 
Ahead of Arsenal game against Aston Villa on Sunday, Mikel Arteta was in the press room at the Sobha Realty Training Centre to tackle questions about the game from the media.

He spoke about topics including team news, Villa's impressive campaign, his respect for Unai Emery and balancing the Champions League quarter-finals with our Premier League title tilt.

on if Gabriel will be fit after missing part of training:
We’ve got one more day to prepare for the match and we'll see tomorrow if everybody is available.

on if there are any other injury hangovers post-Bayern:
We have some but hopefully with another day, we're going to be okay.

on what he is taking from the Bayern game:
Reflection done, Bayern gone. Now it’s Aston Villa - we’re only focusing on Aston Villa.

on if Bukayo Saka has calmed down after Tuesday night:
Yes he looked fine this morning. He's had 48 hours to think about it and it’s done.

on what’s impressed him most about Aston Villa:
What they’ve done since Unai came in. He's made a huge impact at the club in terms of performances and consistency, it’s unbelievable what they are doing. They’re still in European competition and they played last night so its really impressive with what they’ve done.

on whether there are any challenges to playing last out of the three title contenders:
We will know the results but we’ll still have our duty to win our game which is the only thing that we can control. That’s happened a few times already and it’s going to happen again in the next few weeks, so we’ll just focus on what we can do, what we can control and make sure that we perform like we have to do against a really good side to try to beat them.

on semi-automated offsides being introduced next season:
I think it was unanimous so that means it is going to be better, it's going to be faster and more efficient so hopefully it's going to work and be very positive for us.

on when Jurrien Timber might be fit again:
He’s still got a few steps to make. He needs to play a game, at least with the under-21s and he’s going to have an in-house game soon as well. He's done everything in training, now it’s getting that match fitness and having people around him to start competing in a full match which is different to training.

on what he’ll bring to the team when he’s back:
Hopefully a lot. Everything that we've seen training and in the time he was fit, I think he's going to have a big impact on the team.

on how pleased he is with our momentum:
It’s really good and we want to carry on going. It's the most beautiful part of the season coming up right now and a very busy schedule. We’re going to have a really tough [game] against a really good side, and are we going to have to be really good to beat them.

on the lead at the top of the table changing 18 times:
I didn't know that! Hopefully it stays as it is for the remaining six weeks. 18 is a beautiful number, I like eight a lot. It was my number so let's keep it at 18!

on how the players are dealing with the pressure:
I think it is just motivation. I think they’ve lived it already and they are super excited about what we are doing and the way the team is performing, winning matches and they want more. We know the task, the challenge ahead of us and how good we have to be to win it, but we're going to try.

on Villa having key players missing:
We always try to use things to our advantage. We don’t know what they are going to do and that’s nothing we can control. They still won last night and they are a really good side, so we know the danger and we know our strengths as well, and we’ll try to do what we have to do to win.

on the differences between VAR in the Champions League and Premier League:
It is different, the officials are different and you have to adapt. It is a competition that is played in a slightly different way and we're trying to adapt.

on what the players got from the Bayern result:
I think there’s a lot to take, especially how we emotionally managed the game by being very dominant and ahead, and within 15 minutes you are behind against a top side. You have to deal with that game emotionally which is really tough to do. I think the team did brilliantly to manage that situation. It’s half-time and there’s everything to play for in Munich.

on whether players have to learn that emotion on the field:
I think that's something that you have to work on daily, with a lot of aspects to when you are there, you already are living certain things in your system and as a team to be able to deal with them.

on Emery reaching 1,000 games as a manager in midweek:
It’s unbelievable and he's done it in so many different countries, in so many different contexts and has been incredibly successful. Obviously he’s from very close to my hometown and I have huge admiration for him and his respect. I wish him the best after Sunday, but what is doing is really impressive.

on how much the next two weeks will define our season:
Very, for sure, because we can be in all competitions, going into the semi-finals of the Champions League and be top of the Premier League, or not. Every game is going to define what our future looks like.

on if it’s possible to look at just one game at a time:
It is the only thing possible to look at one day and one game. It is the only thing that is possible because it's the only thing that maintains your focus and determines the tasks that you have to do on the day, which is the only thing that you can control.

on if he’s thought about being the first Arsenal manager in 20 years to win the Premier League:
I don’t think like this to be fair. I think about what we have to do next to beat the next opponent, to win and maintain the position that we’re in. There is still very far to go.

on how difficult it is to do that:
It’s the job that we live. The game finishes and 15 minutes later [after] we finished Luton, I was watching Brighton in my office in the stadium. It’s like this because you don’t have time, you have to prepare and you’re onto the next one.

on if our defence will win us the Champions League or the Premier League:
It’s a huge platform and gives you a real chance to win football matches, that’s for sure, and we’ve been consistent and seen the difference when you concede and when you don’t concede those goals the impact that it has. Let’s keep doing it.

on keeping players relaxed and positive:
They naturally have a lot of support from different areas and fields of expertise. We do it between all of us. There is an understanding of the mood of the team and the mood of individuals, trying to tweak that every single day to be in the right zone so when they have to perform we’ve given them the best chance to do that.

on if there are any special techniques for it:
I don’t know if they are special but there are techniques, there are ways to do it, ways that you believe can work and impact the team and this is what we have to try to do.

on the touchline ban he had at Villa Park:
It was an experience. I deserved it. I had to go upstairs because I got the yellow card and the rules say I have to miss a match. I did, I experienced it, I didn’t like it, so hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

on if it made him change his behaviour:
It’s possible that I think like this. Can I control it when I am there? That’s something else. So far it’s been better but in the season when you look at all the managers that have had bans, it’s not a coincidence that the majority of us at some stage of the season have been there.

on if it’s easier now on the touchline:
Maybe we are adjusting. The rule came up and it was a very aggressive rule. Every time we were talking we would get a yellow card. Now it’s a bit smoother and there is more understanding from both ways what we expect from each other.

on if he has improved controlling his emotions:
I think it has evolved, I don’t know if it’s for better or worse. It’s not me who has to judge that. At the end it’s how much I help the club, the team and individual players to try to perform in as many matches as we can. This is the final objective, always.

on Jesus and if he needs to manage minutes:
In elite sport to play without pain is very difficult, especially at the level that we play. If you ask any player, they will say that sometimes there is pain and they have to deal with that. That makes you as well, and Gabby has this toughness and character that he always wants to overcome. He has overcome some difficulties in terms of injuries and he is ready again.

on trying to transmit calm energy:
I don’t know if it’s consciously. You guys know me, it’s how I feel one way or the other and it’s very difficult to hide it. It’s how I feel, I want to give the players the best support and mindset and emotional state to enjoy these moments, go for it and have a real sense of belief and determination to earn what we have worked so hard for ten months to achieve.

on it being a tense time of the season:
That’s for sure and they are super focused and determined. When the team is doing very well, don’t touch it, let them do it. They have grown a lot as a group and let them be themselves.

on Kai Havertz and if he needed convincing to flourish as a number nine:
No. The first conversation with him, I told him what the idea was and how I could see him play and impact the team. He fully agreed with that, he’s very comfortable changing positions. He’s done it with us, with Chelsea in the past, with the national team and he has this capacity to adapt. If he’s feeling good, sometimes it’s about who is around him, and what we ask him to do more than the position.

on if he is more comfortable there:
I’m not sure. I think it depends on the game, it depends on the behaviours of the opponent and what his role is within the day, but I wouldn’t say he’s more comfortable as a nine. I think he’s tremendous as a nine but he did very similarly as an eight.

www.arsenal.com

Every word from Arteta's pre-Aston Villa presser

Find out what the boss had to say to the journalists in attendance ahead of our Premier League clash with the Villans
www.arsenal.com www.arsenal.com
 
topspin said:
Ask mods for a poll. I bet you'll be the only one voting for Zinchenko.
Click to expand...
Why would I care for the opinion of a bunch of posters who have demonstrated - on many occasions - that they know absolutely nothing about football?
 

Mikel Arteta reignites Kai Havertz debate that frustrated Arsenal star revealed he finds annoying​


Mikel Arteta has discussed which position he feels Arsenal ace Kai Havertz thrives in the most, weeks after the man himself expressed his frustration at the debate.

The Germany international endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates following his £65million move from London rivals Chelsea last summer. However, the second half of the season has seen Havertz find form and the 24-year-old has already bettered his best season on the goal-scoring front in the Premier League with seven games still to play.

At the start of his Arsenal career, Havertz was regularly being deployed in midfield, in front of Declan Rice and to the left of Martin Odegaard. He was listed as a midfielder on the club's official website after his arrival, much to the surprise of the Emirates faithful.

However, the bulk of 2024 has seen Havertz lead the line in attack and the goals have swiftly followed. The former Bayer Leverkusen star has five goals in his last seven league outings and will be looking to make it double figures for the season against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

His purple patch in front of goal has sparked questions over whether Havertz is better suited as traditional No. 9 rather than an attacking midfielder. Arteta kept his cards close to his chest when asked for his opinion on the debate.

“I think he’s tremendous as a nine, but he did very similarly as an eight," the Arsenal boss explained. "But I’m not sure. I think it depends on the game, it depends on the behaviours of the opponent and what his role is within the day. I wouldn’t say he’s more comfortable as a nine."

Havertz has also discussed the topic, but couldn't hide his annoyance at being pressed for comment on the matter in the aftermath of his match-winning goal against Brentford last month. It was his late header that secured a vital three points for Arsenal's title charge.

Soon after, Sky Sport's Jamie Redknapp asked Havertz where he felt his best role was, before he replied, somewhat frustratingly: "I don't know how many times I answered this question already.

"I'm just happy to be on the pitch. I'm not a player who only plays in one position. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, but it suits me quite well. I just love it in this team. I love to play as the false nine, the eight, as the No. 10, wherever you want me to go. In Germany. I played as a left-back as well, so it's all good."

www.mirror.co.uk

Arteta reignites Kai Havertz debate that Arsenal star admitted he finds annoying

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has weighed in on the debate surrounding Kai Havertz's best position in the Gunners side after the Germany international's fine form in front of goal
www.mirror.co.uk www.mirror.co.uk
 
Mamoon said:
Why would I care for the opinion of a bunch of posters who have demonstrated - on many occasions - that they know absolutely nothing about football?
Click to expand...
My brother you obviously care as you continue to seek some sort of pat on the back by caring more that you were right than actually being happy Arsenal won.

Beauty of football is it's a game of opinions. I may rate a player you don't but that does not mean either of us know more than the other.

For example an unpopular opinion of mine is that ESR is not at the level arsenal fans think he is. He has been unlucky with injuries but I don't think he is it. If he goes on to be a star for us.... I wouldn't really care I was wrong.

It is what it is.
 
MK7Z said:
My brother you obviously care as you continue to seek some sort of pat on the back by caring more that you were right than actually being happy Arsenal won.
Click to expand...

Precisely. He's here for some self-validation exercise and he looks for the same validation that he gives himself from others.

MK7Z said:
Beauty of football is it's a game of opinions. I may rate a player you don't but that does not mean either of us know more than the other.

For example an unpopular opinion of mine is that ESR is not at the level arsenal fans think he is. He has been unlucky with injuries but I don't think he is it. If he goes on to be a star for us.... I wouldn't really care I was wrong.

It is what it is.
Click to expand...

Same here. Even if Zinchenko all of a sudden became the best full-back in the world, who cares if we were wrong? We support the same team.

Only a low life will use Arsenal games as point scoring opportunities. That too coming from an individual who has a long list of gems. The kind of gems that come from a football supporter with zero ball knowledge.
 
topspin said:
Precisely. He's here for some self-validation exercise and he looks for the same validation that he gives himself from others.



Same here. Even if Zinchenko all of a sudden became the best full-back in the world, who cares if we were wrong? We support the same team.

Only a low life will use Arsenal games as point scoring opportunities. That too coming from an individual who has a long list of gems. The kind of gems that come from a football supporter with zero ball knowledge.
Click to expand...
Reality is that he's still got open wounds that will never heal after he threatened everyone with rotten eggs and tomatoes after his "its in the bag comments last season"

A guarantee if we beat Villa tomorrow, he will copy paste usual.

"This is Emerys level 4th / 5th place"

"Arteta is elite and should have a statue outside the Emirates already, he's greater then fergie and Pep. If Areta is in charge of Arsenal 20 years he will have 12 PL and 10 CL"

He's so predictable and boring it's unreal.

Never seen someone over hype a manager based on zero achievement.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Amjid Javed said:
Reality is that he's still got open wounds that will never heal after he threatened everyone with rotten eggs and tomatoes after his "its in the bag comments last season"
Click to expand...

Thanks for reminding me. Another gem to add to the list :LOL:

Amjid Javed said:
A guarantee if we beat Villa tomorrow, he will copy paste usual.

"This is Emerys level 4th / 5th place"

"Arteta is elite and should have a statue outside the Emirates already, he's greater then fergie and Pep. If Areta is in charge of Arsenal 20 years he will have 12 PL and 10 CL"

He's so predictable and boring it's unreal.

Never seen someone over hype a manager based on zero achievement.
Click to expand...

He'll have the audacity to take shots at anyone who disagrees with him on Arteta but his hypocrisy is unreal. The guy wanted washed up Mourinho over him in the first place.

Reminds me of the Klopp cult. 1 x PL title and they think he's on par/better than Pep.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
topspin said:
Thanks for reminding me. Another gem to add to the list :LOL:




He'll have the audacity to take shots at anyone who disagrees with him on Arteta but his hypocrisy is unreal. The guy wanted washed up Mourinho over him in the first place.

Reminds me of the Klopp cult. 1 x PL title and they think he's on par/better than Pep.
Click to expand...
Not over him, but I would have been happy with Mourinho at the time if Arteta would have said no to Arsenal in December 2019 after they showed lack of faith in him in 2018 by preferring the vastly inferior Emery.

Arteta should have been Arsenal manager straight after Wenger. The club dropped the ball there but credit to them for rectifying their mistake as soon as possible.
 
Call me pessimistic, i have seen Arsenal not taking the chances after a rival slip up many times. Until they cross the line, this thought will always linger on..
 
MK7Z said:
My brother you obviously care as you continue to seek some sort of pat on the back by caring more that you were right than actually being happy Arsenal won.

Beauty of football is it's a game of opinions. I may rate a player you don't but that does not mean either of us know more than the other.

For example an unpopular opinion of mine is that ESR is not at the level arsenal fans think he is. He has been unlucky with injuries but I don't think he is it. If he goes on to be a star for us.... I wouldn't really care I was wrong.

It is what it is.
Click to expand...
You are half right here.

Half right because I couldn’t care less about the opinions of people who have demonstrated on multiple occasions that not only do they lack any knowledge of football but they also lack intelligence.

The day people like @Amjid Javed, @topspin and @Technics 1210 agree with the me is the day I start doubting myself.

However, I care a lot about exposing people’s agendas. It is one thing to have a different opinion but one thing I will not accept is agendas.

For example, Arteta has royally owned @Amjid Javed and @Technics 1210 but instead of accepting it, they shift the goalposts because that is how agendas work.

They wanted Arteta sacked in 2020-21 because they said on record that Arsenal will never fight for the title under him, so Arteta has already exposed their ignorance.

However, now the narrative has changed and winning the title will be the only barometer for success. When that happens, and it is inevitable because there is not a shadow of doubt that Arteta will eventually get Arsenal over the line, the goalposts will shift again and suddenly Arteta will have to win multiple titles to prove himself.

This is what agenda looks like. Then you have @topspin who claimed that Havertz is a terrible signing and it will be the end of Arteta, but after Havertz royally owned, he doesn’t have the courage to accept it and keeps shifting goalposts and makes feeble attempts to change the criteria of success to cover up the fact that he was completely wrong about Havertz.
 
Big big test coming up...
Especially as Liverpool just lost..
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ads101 said:
Think Liverpool are overachieving in general. Didn’t think they would be in the title race, it’s actually pretty surprising to me they have done so well. Still think Arsenal are a more well rounded side and squad due to greater investment. Liverpool are past their prime, dunno what they will do when Salah, and we’re not given enough money to replenish their side. Any injuries are disastrous to them as a result.

Why Klopp is doing such a fantastic job in general. Had he been given the resources of even Arsenal let alone Man Utd, Chelsea or Man City he’d have had quite a few more titles by now.

Think Liverpool especially but also city have been a bit worse than earlier seasons. I think they’d have been wiping the floor with this current Arsenal team than going toe to toe. While Arsenal have been on the up in recent seasons. Which is why I think Arteta could forge something really special in the next upcoming years if things keep going in the same direction.
Click to expand...
Klopp should have won at least 3 league titles with the same budget and players that he has had at his disposal.

He has clearly underachieved and proved himself to be an overrated manager. Moreover, two awful seasons in the last four years with this group of players (2020/21, 2022/23) is as big a failure as not winning multiple league titles.

Liverpool will need to replace him with a manager who can instill winning mentality and ruthlessness into the club which Klopp failed to do.
 
What a bum goal that would have been had that Gabriel blunder cost a goal
 
Watkins hits the post, that's a warning for Arsenal.

Sloppy so far today
 
Rana said:
Especially Gabriel Jesus

Not having a proper striker might come back to haunt us here
Click to expand...
Surprised he started as I can't see him starting 2 games in a week, you would think he would have started at Bayern away.
 
Very poor 1st half in final 3rd from Arsenal, plus sloppiness at back.

Huge improvement needed in 2nd half
 
Not playing badly, but nerves are starting to show.. And that is the most important aspect during the run in.
 
We're playing well.
It's not the last third, because we've been opening them up from both sides... just not hitting the target and when we have it brought it too save from Martinez...

No need to panic just yet...
 
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