Arteta’s Pep-Talk tonight is the Easiest Ever: Luton v Arsenal Preview

TotalArsenal

Well, aren’t we lucky? A midweek PL game and a great chance to put ourselves six points above the cocky Blue Mancs, who have already declared themselves champions today. Thanks for the Pep-Talk, mate! Arteta can now use this for each game this season.

I don’t know much about Luton but an away fixture on a cold night with a fanatic crowd hoping for a Brentford-like giant-killing, is not to be underestimated.

Unfortunately, we will not see in action the brilliantly named Marvelous Nakamba, tonight. I had been looking forward to that.

I think the lineup is pretty predictable given that there’s no change in our sickbay, and the team is doing so well at the moment. Maybe it will be Havertz for the Tross and White for Tomiyasu, but other than that it should be the same players who frightened off the Wolves.

Raya

White-Tequila-Big Gab-Zinch

Ricey

The Ode-Tross

The Buk-Jesus-Marti

Come on You Rip Roaring Gunners!

By TotalArsenal

161 thoughts on “Arteta’s Pep-Talk tonight is the Easiest Ever: Luton v Arsenal Preview”

  • Arsenal team news

    Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.

    Subs: Ramsdale, Nketiah, Soares, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Zinchenko, Walters.

  • Well done you nailed the selections Total.
    Luton has the smallest ground capacity in the EPL at 11,500.

  • Wolverhampton v Nottingham Forest * 3-1
    Aston Villa v Arsenal * 1-3
    Everton v Chelsea *1-2
    Fulham v West Ham United *2-2
    Tottenham Hotspu v Newcastle United *2-2
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98*1-0

  • Kiwior the only name you missed there, TA. Nearly 11/11.

    Luton at home look like a stubborn side and they would fancy their chances of making it physical battle for us. However, if we stay patient and do not get tempted to play their game, we should easily get 3 points and put pressure on Pep’s team.

    COYG!!!

  • But for a late, late Diaz equaliser, Luton were well on course to beating Liverpool, who were thankful to get the draw. I’d say we are managing them better so, hopefully, we get a bit more luck with the bounce in the second half to get the win we crave.

    The hosts started the game by going for our wingers physically, with intent to hurt them. It worked as you can see Martinelli (the first recipient of some rough house treatment) back off from potential 50-50s. Saka is more difficult to handle as he has and uses the runs of White and Odegaard to take some attention off himself. Jesus has worked tirelessly, almost isolated, so could use more support seeing as he is on a yellow.

    Ultimately, looks like a game where we need to get a two goal cushion to be able to avoid a nail biting finish to the game.

  • It is Luton 3-3 Arsenal! Who would have thought that. Martinelli hasn’t been looking up to it since being kicked in the back. I feel we may have to bring Trossard on for him soon.

    It shouldn’t even be this close but, there you go.

    What reason would Arteta give for not bringing Aaron Ramsdale right back into the starting line-up. I don’t see what extra value, in goal keeping terms, he brings that Ramsdale doesn’t.. There… I said.

  • What a cracking game. The stuff of champions, if you ask me. Rice is looking like a pivotal signing every game, putting up skipper’s performance each game. Bless him. Havertz is starting to get his goals.

    That’s the most goals we have conceded in one game, this season. Two keeper errors. Time to have that inquest.

  • Mikel Arteta was cautioned for ‘over celebrating’ Arsenal’s winning goal and will now be banned from the touchline at Villa Park…

    He didn’t do anything different from what we routinely see Jurgen Klopp do after a narrow Liverpool win, but then Jurgen is a PGMOL favourite and Mikel is most certainly not.

    This is the first instalment from the PGMOL as they begin their payback policy, next will be a touchline ban when we visit Anfield – it’s coming.

  • As for the game, I’ll focus on the positives as I see them, Havertz is now looking a proper player for us and it on track to net double figures.

    Rice was amazing, what a signing he’s becoming, on a par with Patrick Vieira. He looks so happy and seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

    Jesus was also amazing, in the thick of the battle, you won’t intimidate him he was forged in the white heat of Brazilian football, Luton was a walk in the park by comparison.

    Martinelli was given a right working over but never hid, the referee allowed both of our wing men to be bashed up and did virtually nothing, but that’s what we expect from our awful officials these days.

    Our defence was given a tough examination but a very physical Luton attack, but they stood up to it and by and large did ok.

    Tomiyasu apparently has a thigh strain – again, so he’s probably out of commission until the New Year.
    It always seems to be the same injuries to the same players?

    Great result – Guardiola will be pissed…

  • Kev, TA,

    Wow. I swear to you that I sit and watch patiently until the final whistle when we are searching for a goal. Not because of the late winners from last season…. just because I always feel it’s within us score at any moment. We have that much quality on the pitch.
    It doesn’t hurt that Arteta has filled these boys with powerful belief.
    The bias against Arteta and Arsenal is incredible … I thought it would end when Wenger left.

    I don’t know if it’s the camera angles from that particular stadium, but I think that our boys were hamstrung by a tiny pitch. Looks to me the smallest I’ve seen in years. I don’t care how few seats are in a stadium.. but a professional size pitch would be nice. It changes the whole game.
    Am I far off the mark in the way the pitch appears?

  • We love you Declan, we do…

    I watched the first half live, then had to go into church to run our Christmas service for the elderly, wearing my Arsenal shirt under the Santa suit. A mate came in and told me it was 3-3 on 89 minutes! What!?
    Got home and watched replay of second half, 89th minute ticked by and I just knew it would come. 97th minute……………………. Walking in a Declan wonderland…………………….

    Thought Jesus and Kai were immense. Thought we had a very decent shout for a penalty when Gabriel had his arm yanked off.

  • Wolves v Nottm Forest…….3-1
    Aston Villa v Arsenal………..2-3
    Everton v Chelsea……………2-2
    Fulham v West Ham…………2-2
    Tottenham v Newcastle……3-1
    Heidenheim v Darmstadt….3-1

  • Fine summary of the individual performances, Kev. The boys did well and showed such character that stupefied our detractors.

    Great to know you got a happy finish to the day, Stuart. That’s the way to win against stubborn opposition. Lol @ Arsenal shirt under a Santa suit. The boys also gave out presents, of sorts, last night. 😜

  • Just a few observation.

    – Luton: TA was spot on to call our attention to the hosts. Despite the key passes balance (5 vs 20) they weren’t playing inferior. Clinical on the attacks and defending ferociously they didn’t seem to be 16 places below Arsenal. We made our job more difficult than necessary, but kudos to the opponent. I’m glad that we eventually won, but I could do with less excitement next time.

    – Jesus: besides his goal and 3/3 shots he made 5 key passes (one of them became an assist). This is something really rare for a central striker. His average is 1.2 per 90 minutes, which is double of Victor Osimhen’s and 50% more than Haaland’s. His hold up play is also on an other level. His defensive contributions are just crazy: 1.5 tackles+interceptions per 90 minutes, where Haaland makes 0.2, Watkins 0.4, Mbappé 0.3, Osimhen 0.7 and Kane 0.8. Would Victor O. be more clinical and prolific than Jesus? Almost certain. Would he elevate Arsenal’s attacks? I’m not so sure. Pundits claim that Jesus doesn’t win games. While I strongly oppose to call somebody a pundit for the sole skill of being able to kick the ball straight many years ago, but even if we accept their observation, Jesus might very well win championship.

    – Havertz: in full agreement with Kev (who will probably not read this); when he plays with confidence he looks an entirely different player. His defensive contribution is important – especially for a genuine attacking midfielder who wasted a couple of seasons playing center forward – and playing on the other side of Rice made our attacks less predictable (and shared 9 key passes with Odegaard). If he keeps playing at that level – regardless of the impressive goal contributions – then Partey will struggle finding his way back to the team.

    – Raya: yes, he indeed made 2 uncharacteristic mistakes. The 4.07 rating from WhoScored is 0.72 lower than Onana’s worst. Does that mean his Arsenal stint should be over? Hell, no. Everybody is entitled to make a few mistakes, and we should be happy that David did 2 in the same game, without costing the team valuable points. I expect him to double his efforts in the future to help us forget his display. Yet, I think Ramsdale should start the next 2 games. Not at all for punishing Raya! But if we prefer to believe that there is a competition for the starting positions (which I absolutely don’t, but I’m a cynical old b@$tard), and the current form should determine the line-up, then Arteta has no choice. Keeping David between the sticks would send an awful message, not only to Aaron, but everybody who sits on the bench.

    – White: if you read my comments then you know that I’m not the biggest fan of Ben. I think he is too short to play RCB and not attack-minded enough to play RB. He was signed for too much money and too high salary to my liking, and I prefer him as a supersub for his versatility and enthusiasm. I like White as a person – but so did I like Holding and Elneny – although Ben is the third choice RB in my book. However his assist yesterday was insane! It was calm, precise, intentional. It was more a chip than a cross, but I struggle to recall a better assist from the flank this season.

    – Rice: you already praised him enough, and with good reasons. It is shocking how seamlessly he slotted into Arsenal’s first team. He is only 24, so there is a chance that he will still improve, although he is already the world’s best in his position according to TransferMarkt. Obviously he has to keep delivering those performances in an Arsenal jersey to become a club legend, but if the poll asks, who are/were the best midfielders playing for Arsenal, then strictly talent-wise he already surpassed Patrick Vieira.

    – Club website: my main disappointment from the Luton games is not the 3 goals conceded, but the highlights from Arsenal dot com. Not long ago they uploaded a bitesize summary (~2 min) with only the goals, and a highlight video (~6 min) with all the important attempts on goal, penalty claims, VAR incidents, etc. Now the highlights show only the goals, but from 3-4 different angles, which is has its value, but a huge step back from the previous offering.

    – Substitutions: on a second though I rather not comment this.

    Happy birthday, Eris!

  • Pb,
    Agree with you about Havertz, and also about Ben’s chipped cross. He does those really well, it’s a special technique that few players have. Must be fun for teammates to run onto a ball that seems to be hanging in the air waiting to be headed.

  • Yeh, love the slow mo replays of Jesus doing his Michael Jordan air thing. And the way he fought for the ball to provide the assist for Kai was pure favela ferocity. Good stats about his contribution, PB.

    Fully relate to Kev’s angst over Mikel’s ridiculous booking. Even us laid back kiwi’s went all Latin over that late winner. We can trust ‘Airpods Albert’ will be in constant touch with the boss at Villa.

  • Wolverhampton v Not’ham Forest * 1-1
    Aston Villa v Arsenal * 1-2
    Everton v Chelsea * 2-2
    Fulham v West Ham United * 0-1
    Tottenham Hotspu v Newcastle United * 2-3
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98* 2–1

  • Wolverhampton v Not’ham Forest * 2-1
    Aston Villa v Arsenal * 3-2
    Everton v Chelsea * 0-2
    Fulham v West Ham United * 1-3
    Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United * 1-1
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98* 2–0

  • Fab comments guys, especially Kev and PB.

    Also, liked Js observation of the pitch looking tiny yesterday. The Villa pitch certainly looks huge in contrast.

  • It’s a nice coincidence that Citeh and Arsenal are playing Luton and Villa in succession but we have an extra day’s rest, which is our benefit. We will be more rested than Villa and Luton will be more rested than the oily lot.

  • 3 lessons from Manchester City’s defeat at Villa Park:

    1. Pep Guardiola can make stupid decisions, too. I haven’t seen the game – only the highlights – but both LiveScore and WhoScored agrees that City played in 3-2-4-1 (a formation that we can also experiment with) with Akanji and Stones playing as DMCs and Rico Lewis paired with Alvarez as AMCs. I know that acting Captain Hindsight is not cool, but this had written disaster all over. Not only because all defensive positions were filled with CBs, but what is Lewis (RB) doing in attacking midfield? City has spent 91M on Kovacic and Nunes, and another 49 on Kalvin Philips a year sooner. So Guardiola approved spending 140M on CM/DM reinforcements and still preferred CBs at defensive midfield (and playing record signing Gvardiol at the left flank). The 1:0 defeat was flattering to the Citizens who made 2 key passes the whole game (in the course of 10 seconds minute, in the 11th minute) compared to Villa’s 18.

    2. Aston Villa is a force to reckon, especially in their home. They have no 14 league games unbeaten, and already sitting at the third place. This season they have won all 7 home games with an impressive 24:5 goal difference. Nobody scored more than one goal at Villa Park, and only City managed to get away with less than 3 goals conceded this year. If they manage to play at the same level this weekend, they are likely to keep all 3 points at home – in a game we are destined to lose. Yet, our only hope is their expected overconfidence, while my primal fear is Emery’s motivation to show the world that he is a better coach than Mikel Arteta. Which he probably is regardless of the result on Saturday or the final standings, but this is a critical game for us to keep momentum and wide the gap between City and us.

    3. While Manchester City managed to overcome the serious injury to Kevin de Bruyne and played some fabulous football without their talisman Belgian playmaker, they seem to be too dependent on Rodri. The Spaniard – who is sharing the world’s highest rated DM position with Declan Rice – is pivotal to the success of the blues: apart from the unlucky Community Shield City hasn’t lost a game when he started, and all 4 defeats happened when he was suspended (PL, 3) or rested (Carabao Cup). It doesn’t only mean that he is such a great player (he is, though), but also that Guardiola hasn’t properly prepare the team to play without Rodri. This is an important lesson to Arsenal, as we also not prepared to play without Saka, Rice, Saliba or Odegaard.

  • Wolverhampton v Nottingham Forest * H (2-0)
    Aston Villa v Arsenal * D (2-2)
    Everton v Chelsea * D 1-1)
    Fulham v West Ham United * A (1-3)
    Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United * A (1-3)
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98* H (2-1)

  • All good points, PB. Luckily, Arteta totally overwhelmed Emery last season and the home team never had a chance. Will be harder this time but I think we will win again.

  • Amen to that, TA.
    Villa is a much stronger side this season, but so are we.
    I expect this game to be among our hardest – on par with our future visit to Anfield and the Etihad.

  • Well they were awesome yesterday. But v Spuds they were poor at the back and boy did our neighbours make a mess of it that day! 😁 And if we go full tilt early on we can be in front in no time. CoyrrGs 🌋 🌋 🌋

  • PB, I like the 3 “lessons” you’ve put up as concerns prepping for Villa. However, after getting the better of Emery, both PL fixtures last season, I am not sure what more Arteta needs to prove he is not inferior to Unai Emery (who is an excellent coach and person, mind). Arteta has and always showed respect for him and for good reason; Emery has won much more than Arteta can boast, for now. But as far as affecting an entire club, for the better, goes; as far as being able to prepare a team for a win goes, I’d say my preference would be Mikel Arteta.
    The man came in when Emery had the club operating at one of its lowest ebbs in a while, promised to get the fans onside again and fashioned a “playing style” for the club. I won’t scoff at how much ability that would require. Maybe, we can rely on the respective coaches’ win rates?

  • An inspiring aspect of our last two games is the stat: six goals v Lens, six different scorers, four goals v Luton, four different scorers. This seems a mark of Mikel and the coaching teams innovative versatility, finding solutions to defences by offering a plethora of attacking threats. Particularly interesting is watching the interplay between Jesus’s bustling aggression and Kai’s silky ghosting. Kai reminds me a lot of the way Martin Peters used to play.

    Thanks GN5. (I’m sure you and Kev will remember Martin Peters).

    Wolverhampton v Nottingham Forest 2-0
    Aston Villa v Arsenal 1-2
    Everton v Chelsea 0-1
    Fulham v West Ham United 1-1
    Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United 1-1
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98 1-0

  • Stuart – it would be hard to forget his hat trick in the 1966 World Cup Final………..

  • I’ve just been given a signed copy of Hurst’s biography, “66 and all that”. Fab read so far. Martin got the ‘other goal’.
    Where did you watch that match, GN5? I’ve only seen replays. The first World Cup Final to be televised live in NZ was ’74 Holland v West Germany.

  • GN5,
    comment No.16 at the top of the page mate.

    Stu,
    Yes, Martin Peters, ‘10 years ahead of his time’ was how Sir Alf Ramsey described him – and then he joined Spurs, big mistake!

    Liverpool are emerging as the big threat this season, our main focus is understandably Man City but Liverpool are coming up on the rails, losing out to them would be devastating…

  • Stuart, oops, of course it was Geoff Hurst who scored the hat trick – I should check my facts before I make a statement – I can no longer simply rely on my memory.

    Yes I did watch the Final along with my Dad and other family members.

  • Fabulous comments all around. We are clearly watching a top European side for the first time in many years. The best young manager in the world, and the added bonus of good boys in as good a team/club culture that exists.
    Look at the character of our guys compared to the miserable selfish mercenaries of Chelsea, Man United, Man City. Even Newcastle. Much of that comes from crooked, sleazy ownership.

    Though I hate the spurs for being spurs, they are a nicer group of characters than those I mentioned.

    The Kroenkes seem like decent people with their heads screwed on correctly in comparison.

  • Good Lutheran stock, J. I never worked out why Mr Hill Wood was so dismissive of Stan Kroenke when David Dein was seeking to bring him into the club.

    Really looking forward to tomorrows game. Just watched some memory stirring highlights of previous games v Villa on Arsenal.com. Including a fabulous Wrighty goal, Pires’ magical lob and David Seaman saving two penalties against them.

  • Largely controlled the game but couldn’t get our mojo going in the final third.

  • Looks like we went the way of City at Villa Park. It is only our second defeat this season and we may have had it better had we been luckier with the decisions (that Havertz scrappy goal given for handball) and taken the chances we had.

    The thing is we did match them in the midfield and won that battle sometimes. Where they got the better of us was in their gritty defending and ability to close up spaces.

    We played well but couldn’t overcome their great organization. Maybe, the players missed Arteta’s presence on the touchline.

  • I was travelling during the game and I never like that… Always feel we will not win when I am not watching or listening to the game. I know it is a silly superstition, but I always try to free up time to be at the game to avoid defeat. Sorry guys! 😁

  • 😂. So, we know who to blame for this then.

    We all have our superstitions, TA. I only caught up after 17 mins and used PVR to see the start of the game. I “blame” this for the defeat too. 😜

  • Thanks for that Total, I thought it was my fault for not having my match day shave yesterday, but it’s all on you 🫵 it seems, what a relief.

  • I saw about 20/25 minutes of Rotherham vs Swansea yesterday, mainly to check up on Charlie Patino, who had given Swansea a 1-0 lead. I missed his goal but was interested to see how he was coming along and how much of a key part he is to the Swansea team.

    He did ok, but wasn’t central to how Swansea play, in fact I felt that he wasn’t used enough by his team mates when taking up good positions to receive the ball.

    He didn’t do anything out of the ordinary but was tidy and passed the ball accurately when receiving a pass, much like Jeorginho.

    Is he ready for the Arsenal senior squad?

    Not as a starter a la Saliba, but as a squad player, yes I think so. I’m sure he can be as effective (or not as the case might be) as Pablo Vieira in the central role.

    Being coached and educated on a regular basis by Arteta could see him add more layers to his game, I’m not sure he’s learning much technically or tactically in South Wales but mentally it should be beneficial.

  • I watched the whole game and felt that we were the better team and deserved at the very least a point.

    However things never went our way on the field on by VAR.

    Although I’m disappointed I’m still proud of our team and the manner in which they conducted themselves. – They never stopped giving their all – which is all one can ask.

  • Thanks for the confessions, boys. Christmas present list: shaving kit for Kev, alarm clock for Eris, Alex’s ‘reprogramming chair’ from “A Clockwork Orange” for Total.

    Our ladies fired up against Chelsea. The Beth is back in town…

  • I was disappointed that Arteta didn’t go with the more mature, defensive, controlling setup. I expected Jorginho to start with Rice … mostly because of Villa’s style and form.

    We paid the price early by pressing high up with Zinchenko from the first minute, leaving big Gabby alone to cover half the pitch. Once they got a single break they capitalized.
    We should have let them tire themselves out against our defense rather than trying to get into a shooting match from the beginning.

    On top of all that… it was just one of those days.. meaning- against Villa we had many opportunities, and none of them came off.
    Not just shots on goal that weren’t great, but every time we had a break into the final third, the final balls were frustratingly poor.
    All our forwards and midfielders blew chances to set up goals or score them.
    Of course no help from the refs, but we should know not to expect that.

  • Always helps to know someone else is at fault when we lose a game, Lol. Thanks in advance, Stuart.

    It seemed that there was no way our Ladies were going to lose to Chelsea, backed by majority of the 59,000+ crowd at the Emirates today. They got their groove back and are joint top with Chelsea. 4-1 scoreline flattered Chelsea from the bit I watched of the game.

    Nice going girls.

  • Last weekends results:-

    1st Eris with 2/6 plus 1 correct score and share of most correct predictions = 6 points
    2nd Kev with 2/6 and share of most correct points = 4 points
    3rd GN5, Total and PB with 1/6 = 1 point
    6th with 0/6 = 0 points

    This was the lowest weeks scoring since we started the competition.
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    For the season:-

    1st Total 87.13
    2nd Eris 85.46
    3rd Stuart 83.80
    4th PB 68.66
    5th GN5 63.80
    6th Kev 61.13
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selections and my predictions:-

    Burnley v Everton * A (1-3)
    Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion * H (3-0)
    Brentford v Aston Villa * A (1-2)
    West Ham v Wolverhampton * D (2-2)
    Liverpool v Manchester United * H (2-1)
    Tottenham Women v Arsenal Women * A (1-3)
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  • Sorry to complain, GN5, but haven’t you accidentally swithed/confused my scores from the weekend with my brother Kev?

  • Kev
    H (3-1)
    A (2-3)
    D (2-2)
    D (2-2)
    H (3-1)
    H (3-1)

    PB
    H (2-1)
    H (3-2)
    A (0-2)
    A (1-3)
    D 1-1)
    H (2-0)

    Week 16 Actual
    Wolverhampton v Nottingham Forest * D (1-1)
    Aston Villa v Arsenal * H (1-0)
    Everton v Chelsea * H (2-0)
    Fulham v West Ham United * H (5-0)
    Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United * H (4-1)
    FC Heidenheim 1846 Darmstadt 98* H (3-2)

    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    PB, I don’t understand above are both the prediction’s from Kev and yourself plus the actual scores. The predictions are copied from the blog.
    You gained I point and Kev gained 2 plus a share of the most correct predictions with Eris.

    I double checked the actual scores and the season to date scores and all is in order.

    Please let me know where you think I went wrong.

  • Oops now I see PB – you also have 2 correct predictions. All is now well I have corrected my error on the spreadsheet.

  • Thank you being alert and pointing out my error PB – I checked over the numbers 3 times and continuously over looked the same error. By the way Kev, Eris and yourself all got 2/6 each and therefore 1.33 points each.

  • Don’t I get a point for keeping a clean sheet, GN5? 😉

    Burnley v Everton 0-1
    Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0
    Brentford v Aston Villa 1-2
    West Ham v Wolverhampton 2-0
    Liverpool v Manchester United 2-0
    Tottenham Women v Arsenal Women 0-2

  • GN5, thanks for the report. That was a tough set of games to predict correctly.
    Re your response to PB’s observation; does that mean I lose some marks, even though I had a correct score prediction to boot? 😎

    Lol, Stuart. I guess that sheet was too clean for a point. 😅

  • Here’s my luck, fellas. I am flying from the Netherlands to Manchester today whilst the mighty Red and White are playing the Light Bulbs in Eindhoven. I am surrounded by Manc, Bayern and even Feyenoord supporters (Celtic on Spursday)… Oh what a joy 😂 😂 😂 😂

  • Yes Eris, because of my error both yourself and Kev lost points as the points for most correct predictions was split between three people instead of two. However you still remain in second place.

  • I trust you are wearing your scarf, Total. And, hope you can find a pub in Manchester to sup a pint and enjoy the match. Lots of changes to the team line up. So glad to see Aaron make his CL debut. He certainly earned it and I hope he plays out of his skin.

  • Two highlights from the first half: Stunning tackle by Saliba, beautiful technique by the big man. Unerringly accurate finish by Eddie.
    PSV look a fine team, even with DeJong on the bench.

  • Thanks for the article, Eris.
    Arteta does have half a point here: it indeed looks easier on TV. I think there are 2 reasons to that.
    First, it is probably quite easy. But that is just an opinion, it could very well be wrong.
    Second – and more important – point: apparently every feckin’ manager is capable of doing that.

    There are some clubs and managers, who are kind of forced to do that as this is part of their business model (see Brighton with Ferguson & Buanonotte, Brentford with Yarmolyuk, West Ham with Mubama, Fulham with Harris, etc.)
    But even at the big spending clubs it is obvious and natural to nurture their own talent. OK, you might say that Manchester United (Garnacho, Mainoo, Mejbri) is not a club to learn from, but Newcastle’s Miley is a prime example of how to integrate the academy elite, Liverpool’s are cruising in the PL and the EL without struggling to give first team opportunities to Doak, Quansah and Bradley, while treble winner City manages to promote a couple of academy players into the first team almost every year – regardless if they become regular (Foden, Lewis, Bobb), get sold (Palmer, Eric Garcia, Trafford, McAtee) or go on loan (THB, Doyle, JWE) etc.

    Arteta gets half a point in 4 years for Balogun, but even he was accidentally included, when both Aubameyang and Lacazette were injured/infected.

  • Burnley v Everton * 2-1
    Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion * 3-1
    Brentford v Aston Villa * 1-1
    West Ham v Wolverhampton *2-1
    Liverpool v Manchester United * 3-0
    Tottenham Women v Arsenal Women * 1-2

  • Well considered views, PB and I agree, mostly. Maybe, the pressure to win a big trophy or, at least do well in such competition (EPL, UCL) weighs heavily on Arteta such that he would prefer to keep his rather large squad of first team players match fit.

    With ESR coming back from injury and on the bench last, surely a run out for him was always going to be more beneficial to him and the team, than to bring on Walters or Nwaneri, just to please.

    Arteta loves the academy lads and will be looking for the next big star from the academy, after Bukayo Saka. Maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he does next season after, hopefully, the club has some major troph(ies) to have the luxury of bedding in young lads.

  • Bakayoko looked promising, apparently Brentford tried to sign his for £35m in the summer.

    Smith Rowe, according to Mikel has worked really hard to recover from his operation and is raring to go.
    Now if Emile could just stay fit for the second half of the season then that’ll offer the attacking options that mean the club can focus on recruiting a defender and a midfielder this January, maybe on loan if there’s value and quality to be found?

  • Burnley vs Everton…………… 3-2
    Arsenal vs Brighton………….. 3-1
    Brentford vs Aston Villa……. 2-1
    West Ham vs Wolves……….. 2-2
    Liverpool vs Man United….. 4-1
    T Women vs A Women…….. 1-3

  • Yeah, GN5. Here are my predictions:

    Burnley v Everton * A (2-3)
    Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion * H (4-2)
    Brentford v Aston Villa * D (1-1)
    West Ham v Wolverhampton * H (2-1)
    Liverpool v Manchester United * H (2-1)
    Tottenham Women v Arsenal Women * A (0-2)

  • Eris, I admire your positive outlook and loyalty, but “Arteta loves the academy lads” has sadly transitioned from being a slogan to a conviction, to a thesis and eventually to univocal bullshit.
    He will celebrate his 4-year anniversary at the helm next week. In that time he gave less minutes to academy players than Liverpool did yesterday! (And they won that game, just like City did on Wednesday with Bobb, Hamilton and Lewis not only starting but playing the whole game and Susoho playing the last 20 minutes.)

    Don’t get me wrong, I accept that these are very high bars. Klopp, Guardiola, Emery and Ten Hag are famous youth advocates, and Mikel doesn’t necessary have to compete with them – especially as he is better than them at many other aspects of the game.
    So let’s accept that there are other considerations in play: the victory bonus, giving minutes to Cedric and Elneny (whom I like as individuals, but I doubt that they make the squad any deeper), or anything else. But the inclusion of White is just plain undefendable. And so is Jesus at the 89th minute.

    Every year we keep playing that game. You say that the time of the youngsters will come (in the first half because of the multiple strain of the parallel competitions and the games against clubs well below the PL standard, in the second half because the first team players need rest). And we say (mostly GN5, J and yours truly) that it won’t. And I – being the meanest b$st$rd of the bunch – never forget to mention that Mikel lacks both the motivation and the skills to integrate the academy players. Yet when it turns out that the pessimists (realists!) were right there always met with unsubstantiated and biased excuses about the lads not being good enough (and we always need the best options on the pitch, even at 5:0 and 4:0), and the next generation will surely make the breakthrough. But it never did for Biereth, Rekik, Smith, Möller or Cottrell. It never did for Azeez, Flores, Hutchinson and Taylor-Hart. And while we celebrate Nwaneri breaking the PL youngest player record in a game where he got 1 minute and didn’t touch the ball, the clock is ticking for Norton-Cuffy, Patino, Cozier-Duberry, Walters, Edwards, Okonkwo and Sousa. Whom we were all convinced that they are elite players (or at least 3-5 of them), and the only argument against them is that “if they were truly that good then they surely would have had their debut”.

    So when we are using Arteta’s obvious skills in other aspects of managing a top club (including his access to unprecedented funds from the owners) we are not only being unfaithful to the dozens of players mentioned in the previous paragraph, but also to Smith-Rowe who was similarly destined to be the next big hit after Saka, and we are likely to will sell him on the cheap in 2024. Like we did with Balogun, minus the loan spell to fatten his price up.

    Finally let me reiterate that there are plenty to be satisfied with around Arsenal. My mood isn’t characterized by the disappointment over the abandonment of the academy; it is only a small part of the big picture and intellectual-emotional portfolio. So as long as we have the funds to buy the established players every year we really don’t have to develop the academy. And I accept that the success in the PL and the CL justifies the forsaken Hale End for the majority of the fans. Just please have the decency to give up the narrative that Arsenal is still the dream club for teenagers – unless we mean those 17-18y lads playing in the Netherlands, France or Brazil whom we may purchase over our own youngsters. Because when we expect Walters and Cozier-Duberry to sign a new contract over their current one expiring in 6 months then we might be in for a sad surprise. And Kev will struggle big time to explain why the ones left made the dumb decision, as his last attempt to compare the future of Taylor-Hart and Hutchinson didn’t age well. Let’s cheer for Mikel’s competency in the areas where he is truly world-class, and give up those where he is probably worse than anyone else in the top 5 leagues.

  • Well, that will get Gooner notaphilies salivating. I have seen plenty of footballers honoured on postage stamps but is our Denis the first to be featured on a bank note? Fabulous. Did they ever do it for Cruyff, Total? Actually, just found a Guardian article which states George Best, Pele and few others including Cruyff and Stevie Gerrard have featured on notes or coins. Uganda leads the way with 56 ‘Hall of famers’ given their own coin.

    PB, every teenager will still dream of playing for Arsenal, even if the chances of making the first team are remoter every season. I think it’s likely that Mikel does “love the Academy lads”. He seems to have a big heart. But he also likely loves our fringe squad players, to whom he may have contractual obligations, or may want to keep in the shop window for both theirs and the clubs sake. He has a lot of interests to juggle, those of our youngsters will be among them.

  • Good morning all,

    I was intending to keep this news suppressed however a well respected friend of ours suggested that you should all be made aware.

    Recently I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of liver cancer (H.C.C.). It surprised my oncologist as previous scans had shown that although I recently had a life threatening liver bleed the rest of my liver was clear and healthy.

    I’m now faced with having a new and specialized immunology therapy. The medication has only just been approved by Health Canada. My oncologist is the President of the London hospitals medical oncologists – so it doesn’t get any better.

    The treatment will start if and when the use of the medication is approved by the manufacturer.

    I’m in great hands and I’m not looking for sympathy – but I felt it was best to let you all know.

  • Well I was about to post a comment pertaining to Arsenal but that seems a tad trivial now following the GN5 news…

    Reading between the lines GN5 I suspect that you have a close and supportive family and that is a blessing. They’ll rally around you and help you fight this cuntish condition, of that I’m certain.

    All I can do is send you my best wishes of a swift and complete recovery, of that I’m confident and that you’ll be in and remain for the duration of the battle in my and everyone’s thoughts on BK.

    Stay strong Gooner…

  • A pity our girls lost to Spurs ladies today, in a game they dominated and had more shots. 31 shots (8 on target) and a 60% possession, and you have to wonder how they haven’t found the goal.

    Opportunity (to go top and put pressure on Chelsea) missed.

  • Hey GN5, that’s such sobering news, but I agree it is good to share.
    I posted that before scrolling up for updates only to see your post. Just be assured our thoughts are with you as you fight this. Be strong, gooner. It is well.

  • God bless you, GN5. We are walking with you, mate.

    Something you might appreciate, a little of our footballing history: https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/12/16/when-manchester-united-came-to-play-in-new-zealand/

    I never got to the match but it heralded a hay day of visits to NZ. We saw an England X1 come, Glasgow Rangers, Tottenham, Wolves, Man Unt again, Wales, Scotland, Bournemouth, Luton, Sheffield Unt, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Dundee, Bristol Rovers, Hearts, QPR, Hearts, Everton, Dunfermline, Newcastle and, lastly in 2014 West Ham who lost to our top side, the Wellington Phoenix.

    Sadly the greatest football team the world has ever seen, has yet to be lured down here. I did write to Arsene back in 2003 inviting him and the team, promising them a fishing trip and a game against my Kerikeri team. He kindly responded with a letter and signed team photo.

  • Thank you for your thoughts and wishes, I will give you updates along my journey. My daughter will let Total know if things go awry.

  • GN5 thank you for sharing your personal story with us… because we are your friends and we care. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.

  • Hi GN5, thank you for sharing your big health challenge with us. You keep amazing me with your positive outlook every time you have to face adversity. You have a loving, close family around you, and we at Bergkampesque are your world family, led by our very own Pastor – a champion in offering solace.

    We will be there with you all the time. Stay strong, buddy. 🙂 🔆 🧡

  • GN5, If I may interpret your announcement that you consider the blog as part of your extended family, that’s an honor to us all.
    Stay strong, and keep us posted.

  • Thanks gents, your kind words are very meaningful.
    Total it is indeed a huge plus to have my own private Pastor who continues to send me inspiring prayers and positive thoughts.

    The kinsman ship I feel on BK is very inspiring.

    It’s wonderful to have so much support in my journey through the unknown.

  • Frustrating 1st half as often happens. A few games we had ,where we looked so dominating from the start and were fortunate to score just before half time. We dominated almost the whole match today.. but these close games in a tight title race magnify every chance the opponents get. I am not forgetting what a good team they are though.
    Our xg was about 5 times their’s, and Dezerbi gave us all the credit for being excellent. His opinion means a lot to me, the same I feel about Thomas Frank.

  • Good points, J. Citeh’s draw yesterday just showes us how hard every PL game is. Today we faced the strongest South coast team and deservedly beat them, but we had to fight hard for it. It really is OGAAT all the time.

    And yes J the stats show we dominated the game and had many chances. Just need to become more clinical.

  • Such a joy to watch this mornings game. Martins other worldly dancing feet, especially, and Jesus, too with his Brazilian flair and work rate. A former manager of mine used to describe a player who works that hard as a “blue arsed fly”. Buzzing and pestering, the press he, Martin and Kai put on the Brighton defence was such a key to this victory.
    Other than Villa’s comeback, good results all around this weekend. And, I just may be getting back in sniffing distance of Total’s aftershave…

  • Last weekend’s results:-

    1st Stuart 4/6 plus 2 correct scores and share of most correct predictions = 10 points
    2nd PB 4/6 plus 1 correct score and share of most correct points = 8 points
    3rd GN5 3/6 plus 1 correct score = 5 points
    4th Eris 3/6 = 3 points
    5th Total 2/6 = 2 points
    6th Kev 1/6 = 1 point
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1st Stuart 93.80
    2nd Total 89.13
    3rd Eris 87.79
    4th PB 78.99
    5th GN5 68.8
    6th Kev 61.46
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selection and my predictions:-

    West Ham United v Manchester United * D (1-1)
    Fulham v Burnley * H (2-0)
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton * A (0-1)
    Liverpool v Arsenal * A (0-2)
    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea * H (2-1)
    Roma v Napoli * H (1-0)
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  • West Ham United v Manchester United 1-2

    Fulham v Burnley 3-1
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton 2-0
    Liverpool v Arsenal 2-2
    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea 1-2
    Roma v Napoli 1-1

  • Hi, guys, just a few words about … Porto!!
    My sport subscription allows me to watch some of the Portuguese Liga games, and tonight Sporting-Porto’s on, so after today’s draw I couldn’t resist, and have been watching the first half.
    Score first: it’s 1-0 to Sporting at HT, but it should be 2-0, were it not for the outrageous VAR-ref decision to disallow a Sporting goal for the blatant simulation of a foul by the Porto RB; and it could easily have been 3, had the former Spur guy Edwards been just a little bit smarter a couple of times.
    The truth is, they don’t look like the idea I have of a Portuguese team, these Porto guys. They’re tall, strong, but awkward technically; their tactics are rudimentary (4-4-2 supposedly, actually more of a 5-4-1), made of long balls bypassing the midfield for a so-called target-man (Taremi) who is muscular, belligerent, but incredibly limited technically. The irony of it is that most duels were won the more diminutive Sporting guys nevertheless …
    As is often the case, they seem, as a team, to convey the personality of their manager, who can’t stop waving his arms about, yelling, provoking – if the English media call MA’s behavior “rant”, I wonder what they’ll have in store for him.
    Sporting’s 2 goals were scored by their Swedish CF, Gyökeres- never heard of him before. He was impressive, but truth be told Porto’s skipper, 40-y-o Pepe, is painful to watch. He’s so slow he’s constantly disrupting his team’s setup, either because he’s lagging 30 yards behind the other defenders, of because he’s been wandering about in midfield, but lacks the pace to run back to his spot when the ball’s been given away. To top it all, he was bullied by the Swede on Sporting’s goal, as I never saw him bullied before. Otherwise, he’s still the same simulator-provoker-potential anklebreaker, but who thought he had even an outside chance to ever be different?)
    They seemed to be waking up a little during the last five minutes, but whatever may happen in the 2nd half (won’t be able to watch it), it’s hard – after the 1st – not to feel optimistic about our lads making it to the round of 8, all the more so after their oh so mature performance against Brighton (a lil’ touch of madness I’d have nothing against, but strength, confidence, control, focus, all of this they ooze which, for such a young side, might be already more than we could wish for).
    COYG

  • Thanks Total. That may be my exhaust you are catching a whiff of. Rather than my after shave…

    Good to hear from you LG. I feared you may have drowned yourself in the Seine after the Rugby World Cup. I might have followed you but, like you I also have Arsenal to live for.
    Gyokeres has been linked with us and other EPL teams. He does look a package and who doesn’t love Scandinavians in red and white?

    GN5, how about having a round of picks from the CL?

  • Great to read your comment, LEGALL. 🙂

    I love Portugal but cannot stand their football in general.

    Well Stu, I am indeed inhaling the fumes from Down Under. Soon you will be engulfed again by Air de Total Arse… nal. 🙂

  • J, we indeed have 4x as much xG than BHA (2.77 vs. 0.66), but we had triple xG when playing against Aston Villa and still managed to lose, so generating chances is only the first step.
    Indeed, De Zerbi is a fair guy, both on and off the pitch.

    I’m also satisfied with the draw.
    Porto is a tough club, but they put bigger emphasis on defense than in attack. So as long as we can manage to neutralize Evanilson we are favorite to prevail.

  • Stuart,

    I will give the CL games some thought and see how I can fit it in. I don’t usually choose mid week games as I like to give a week in between games to give everybody time to think over their predictions.

    What I might do is post the weekend games and the CL games at the same time – that way there will be adequate time for everybody to make their selections.

  • All the twitter talk about getting a striker makes me think…. what I really worry about is the defense. The Tomiyasu injury is very important, and Ben is not fully fit. You can see it in his expression. He’s not showing that smile either, for different reasons.

    I’m happy to roll with our attacking options. I know I’m in a minority. A classic striker changes our style and weakens our game. I bet we’d lose more overall effectiveness than we gain. Vieira and The Smith coming back to stay I hope.

    Even if we could find an pricey loan fee defender- would Arteta trust him to play in a title race or deep CL? I doubt it.

    Could we recall Tierney for defender depth? Not optimal because our one healthy back up Kiwior plays the same positions.

    With versatile Timber under a long contract, I can’t see us buying a defender. The Tomiyasu injury really sucks. I loved that Arteta tested Declan in defense.

    I wonder how Arteta will deal with Salah….

  • Thanks for the report, GN5. Good job Stuart. That was an inspired submission by you.

    Nice bit of Porto Dossier, LG. Somehow, it sounds like a match up we should relish and make the best of so, I am feeling confident too.

  • Guys, just to inform that my father inlaw passed away in London, England, at the age of 90 (would have been 91 in February ’24). I had to come into London earlier in the week to be a shoulder for my wife and generally lend support to the process of getting a coroner’s report and registration of death, etc.

    It’s almost all done now and we should both be jetting out to Canada together, for the Christmas.

    He was a good man who will be mourned, especially back in his home town of Obosi in Eastern Nigeria. God rest his gentle soul.

  • My predictions for next weekend’s selection follow:

    West Ham United v Manchester United * H (2-1)
    Fulham v Burnley * D (1-1)
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton * D (2-2)
    Liverpool v Arsenal * A (0-2)
    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea * H (3-2)
    Roma v Napoli * D (1-1)

  • Olorun bukun fun o ati ebi re Eris. Jẹ ki baba ana rẹ simi ninu awọn Apa ayeraye. Ati, Mo nireti pe yoo pade baba ana mi ti o ṣaju rẹ si Ọrun ni ọsẹ diẹ nikan. Pẹlu ifẹ si iwọ ati iyawo iyaafin rẹ.

  • Thanks GN5.

    West Ham United v Manchester United 1-2
    Fulham v Burnley 1-0
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton 2-0
    Liverpool v Arsenal 0-2
    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea 1-2
    Roma v Napoli 1-1

  • West Ham vs Man United…..2-2
    Fulham vs Burnley……………..3-1
    Tottenham vs Everton..……..3-1
    Liverpool vs Arsenal………….2-2
    Wolverhampton vs Chelsea.2-2
    Roma vs Napoli………..……….1-2

  • My condolences, Eris.

    West Ham United v Manchester United * D (2-2)
    Fulham v Burnley * H (4-0)
    Tottenham Hotspur v Everton * H (2-1)
    Liverpool v Arsenal * H (2-1)
    Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea * A (1-3)
    Roma v Napoli * A (0-2)

  • Jeez! Stuart, you really do make a great effort to be versatile. That’s some very deep Yoruba (I do not have a complete understanding of the language, by the way) dialect you have put up there, man. All I can say is Iyawo mi ati ebi mi won ma gbo. 🤣

    Thanks. 👍

  • Hey guys, I will be having a nice little lunch at the Witchery today. Hopefully I will be sober enough after that to write a quick preview for tonight’s encounter with the Scousers. 🙂

  • Boys doing us proud. Crazy atmosphere but they are staying calm. Such a shame Tomiyasu is injured as Zinch is just not a good defender and they don’t come much harder than Salah. Need to plug that gap. Also need to pass better out of midfield, but I reckon the Pool midfielders will tire soon, and it will get easier for us there.

    The really good thing is we don’t play with fear against them anymore, and had enough chances to be ahead. CoyrrGs 🌋 🌋 🌋

  • I’ll take that result, I’ve seen too many Arsenal teams in recent years fold at Anfield so I’ll take it.

    How long has it been since Arsenal played successive seasons and remained unbeaten at Anfield, they always get up for our visit so the process continues.

  • That was a very fortunate result for us.
    I don’t think we deserved even 1 point.
    That second half performance is the worst I’ve seen from Arsenal in a long, long time.

    Granted, we are spoiled to have a team that outplays our opponents every week, and only dropping points on bad var or bad luck usually.

    That was far worse than the second half against pool where Tavares and Lokonga blew the game.. if I remember correctly.

    But I’m happy to have the point. Can’t complain, because today we were the lucky ones.

  • Contrasting views of the game on here, and since I have not seen it, I’d just say it is a positive that we have gone to Anfield and left with something, playing without fear.

    Just got into Toronto with the wife and in need of sleep. Cheers, gentlemen.

  • Fortunate, J in that we got away with Martins handball and that Trent hit the bar. But I thought we went toe to toe and, but for Zinnie allowing Sala to come inside him, we would have gone home with three points. Like Kev, I am content with the draw. Villa and Newcastle dropping points is a welcome Christmas bonus.

    PB, I am reading a book which may interest you, “The match of the century. England, Hungary, and the game which changed football forever” Matt Clough the author. You can guess which match, a cracking read with some really interesting background material and some photographs I’ve never seen before.

  • 8 days to go before the transfer window opens. Now if Santa could bring you one player in the window what type would it be.

    For me it would be a defender who can play across the back-four and fill in at full-back.

  • J, according to Understat the xG result was 0.98 to 0.85 to Liverpool, so the result was kind of justified. (The aggregate player ratings at WhoScored also shows 6.67 vs 6.64)
    But I agree with you, the 2nd half was indeed disappointing, we didn’t threaten Allison much, not did we intend to.

    Stuart, thanks for the reference. I’ve seen a documentary about it, but a proper book (not from a Hungarian author gloating over the victory) would be interesting. I’ll look into is.

    Merry Christmas and other happy festive holidays depending on your taste!

  • Off to my son’s house for a rare family only holiday weekend. We have a great organic grain feed turkey’ along with a spiral ham, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips also peas and brussel sprouts. For afternoon appetizers Mrs GN5 has been busy making baked scotch eggs, sausage rolls plus an assortment of cookies and cakes. I am going have a rare few glasses of the finest Australian red wine with the tacit approval of my specialist. I hope to start my treatment in January – then alcohol will be banned.

    I wish all of you all the best best over the festive season and a very healthy 2024.

  • Sounds like quite the feast, GN5. Enjoy!

    A merry Christmas to everyone here on Bergampesque; and best wishes for a better year in 2024.

  • Seasons greetings BK’ers. A blessed Christmas to you and yours. I have awoken this morning with that familiar Christmas No 1 on my lips, “We are top of the league, I said, we are top of the league”. The roast lamb will be more succulent, the pav will be sweeter and the carols sung all the more enthusiastically, especially “Hark now hear the Arsenal sing” and “Walking in a Arteta wonderland”.
    What gift player do I most wish to unwrap, Kev? A fit and resurgent Thomas Party, or, if we bring someone in, a John Stones would be perfect.

    Loved the articles, Total. “Pile of wet leaves” 🤣😒.
    Wouldn’t mind sitting down at your table, GN5. Enjoy your family, mate, and if your budget cannot extend to a fine 2021 Saint Clair Tuatara Bay Pinot Noir, I hope that Aussie plonk doesn’t do you any harm…

    Big love to you all. Thanks for the banter and friendship throughout the year. Thanks Total for being our gracious host.

    God bless and Arsenal forever.

  • I am not sure what Arteta would want, Kev. But, I know I’d love a really clinical striker and a good full back who is good with both feet.

    We do need to be putting away the chances we have been creating, especially since they have been coming few and far between, this season. Plus, someone (not Kiwior) who can be trusted for a man marking job when we meet the likes of Bernard Silva, Salah, Diaz and Sterling.

    Will Santa grant that wish? We shall see.

  • Kev,
    In answer to the Santa gift question..

    I’m most worried about the defense being short… can’t expect Timber to play a meaningful part this season. Tomi going away and also fragile in general.

    White is suffering from playing 95 minutes twice a week without even a late sub for relief. This hurts his overall game.. it’s been showing, and the same thing happened in the final stretch last year.

    But…. I don’t think we could buy a defender. We will be overloaded when we have a normal squad. I’d ask Santa for a clever loan defender who could play left and right side fullback.

    Second choice would be a midfielder… the future replacement for Partey.

    I don’t see any striker I want, but I am intrigued that Arteta sees something in Solanke. If Eddie was sold I’d consider him in the summer. I need to do more research though. I’d bet he’s a very hard worker if Arteta wants him.

  • TA,

    I might have been a little harsh in my reaction after the game..
    But I am happy with the point. I’ll use DiZerbi type words..
    -I am not used to seeing our guys suffer as much as we did in the second half.
    We’re spoiled by the control we usually show, even when we don’t win… so the disorganization and giving away the ball so much was painful to watch. What saved us was our great defenders, and our amazing team defending as always.

    I agree with many people on Twitter about Martinelli.. I have been saying it for a long time… I’m frustrated with his blind dribbling and head down decision making.
    I scream at my TV when he has 3 teammates available to pass to, but dribbles into 3 defenders and loses the ball. He does it in dangerous areas of midfield to lose possession at least once a game. Yesterday carrying the ball out of play a couple times. Booting it would be better.

    Same thing around the opponents box, and misses the runs of our guys, especially Havertz ignored by him. He needs to work on that, and maybe watch from the bench occasionally.
    He’s great, and our only pace threat, but needs to improve some aspects.

  • Lovely words, Stuart, and lovely meal, GN5.

    Probably no surprise, but my (Arsenal-related) Christmas wish would be no incoming player in the winter transfer window. On second though maybe an expedited return of Timber and a shock inclusion of Myles Lewis-Skelly. My wishes are hardly relevant, but Jurrien’s return is the least improbable.

    I don’t think we are short on DMs. Besides the word’s best defensive midfielder we have Ghana’s finest, an Italian EC-winner, and Elneny who made us proud of the club when received his contract extension. Even when Partey and Elneny will be at the ACN we are talking about 4 games max. And a new recruit would push MLS further down in the pecking order. And my main concern – as with any new signing regardless of the position – that a world class player (of Tchouaméni/Palhinha/Onana/Zubimendi level) wouldn’t join us due to the well established starting line-up (and Mikel’s reluctance of rotation and competition), and a Gilmour/Endo/Kiwior-level relative nobody (no offense!) might not be an improvement over Jorginho. I would stick to the squad and start integrating Lewis-Skelly.

    But, accepting that my opinion doesn’t matter much, here are a few affordable alternatives Arsenal might be interested:
    – André from Fluminense (a signature Edu signing), 22, short, a real baller with 4 caps already
    – João Neves from Benfica, a 19y wonderkid, possibly the next real deal, but needs a lot of minutes that don’t grow on trees at Arsenal
    – Angelo Stiller (22) from VFB Stuttgart, a Cazola-esque DM capable of long shots and a genuine key pass machine
    – Quinten Timber (22) from Feyenoord, who is not world class yet, but a threat to the opponent’s goal, and how cool is to field a pair of twins?

    We might be short on CBs, but who in their right mind would be interested in out bench? Kiwior is already on the run – I can hardly blame him – but we have White and Tomiyasu to substitute Gabriel and Saliba if they need a break or being suspended. And Timber can also play there, even though he might be the best LB in our squad.

    I’m not going to enter the striker debate. It is just the overwhelming urge to spend money. Solanke is no improvement over Nketiah, I don’t rate Toney that much either (even if he is better than Eddie, he never worth 90-100M), and I doubt Gimenez would arrest his development at the age of 22.
    Damn’, you tricked me into entering the debate, against my better judgement.

  • PB, all good points. It would be wrong to get another DM, you are right. Maybe Arteta can get Giroud to join us for half a year, just to have a better Plan B.

  • Now, that’s a thought. Grew to love Ollie. Great touch, great in the air, works hard, scores some cracking goals. He was never the quickest and the EPL may be a bit beyond him now, but he would provide 15 – 20 minutes of threat at the end of a game. His role in my all time favourite Arsenal goal (Jack’s v Norwich) is indelibly printed upon my hipper campus.

  • Merry Christmas to all my BK pals, God bless Stu, the conscience of the blog, to GN5 our historian and Eris during this difficult time.

    Special thanks to Frank for all his efforts from Jockoland.

  • That is it, Stu. Ollie was a rock in attack and as we are mostly attacking in the opposition’s half, speed is not very important. A last thirty minutes attack of Saka, Giroud, Jesus and Ode would be some mix of qualities. Giroud winning the league with us would be such a crowning of his career.

  • What a thought! Pure romantic stuff. Giroud returns to win the EPL with us. I like. 👌

  • Oliver ‘the snake’ Giroud was indeed an exceptional player. A tall guy with remarkable aerial abilities who also loves playing with his back to the goal. A true gunner who didn’t want to leave the club, yet managed to collect 6 more trophies after his departure.

    However, when people tell me that xG and other stupid football stats are worthless (because at the end the only important matter is who won the game), I always point out Giroud. If you look him up at YouTube you might think he was the best striker of his era. Beautiful and often acrobatic goals, virtuoso assists, stunning ball control. He looked like genuine Ballon d’Or winner material, or top 3 at the very least. Yet, he was never in the top 10, and in his remarkable career of 19 years he managed to score 20+ goals in all competition playing in a top league just 3 times, and only once scoring 20+ in the league itself. He was unstoppable when things went his way, but he could be quite invisible and wasteful every other time; those that were never uploaded to YouTube. He scored a lot of goals – including many unforgettable ones – but not only could have but should have scored a lot more. A not rare characteristic among strikers (see Nunez, L. Martinez, Thuram, Aubameyang) that is easy to spot if you have access – and eyes – to the xG stats.

    I would love to see him again in red and white, though.

  • Giroud was a servant, somebody who made others play better, whilst carrying enough goal threat to worry defenders constantly. The French manager saw it and so many others did. There is no stat that captures this, I think. What happened to the careers of Ozil and Sanchez once they they were disconnected with the beacon up-front?

  • I’m 100% with having the scorpion back on our team. I always felt that the manner in which he drew the opposition defense to him to leave gaps for his teammates to exploit was great under appreciated.

  • “Up until 1925, the entire Arsenal team were prevented from playing Christmas Day matches on their own religious ground. The land Highbury was built on was owned by St John’s College of Divinity, and the terms of Arsenal’s lease prohibited them from playing matches on religious holidays. But Arsenal bought the land in 1925, and at 11.15am that Christmas morning they played their first Christmas Day match, against Notts County, in front of 33,500 fans. Arsenal won 3-0, with Charlie Buchan among the scorers.”
    I’ve never had a problem with playing or watching football on a Sunday, always believing both that football is next to godliness and that every day is holy. Whenever I visited Highbury I found it a deeply spiritual experience, rooted in a yearning for both a familial, tribal sense of belonging, and to dwell on hallowed ground.
    I haven’t yet experienced that same sense at our new stadium. But it will come. Highbury had generations of cascading tradition and it will take time to see that replicated.
    I was encouraged to see an old mate, J John ministering at the Emirates to 24, 000 folk. Here’s a short clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxXgl0KF39w

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