Category: Uncategorized

43 days till PL kick off for Arsenal, that is if the Arsenal v Man City date will not be moved. So just over six weeks and we are back in business. It feels like a small eternity but luckily we have been able to see some of our best Gunners in action in Russia over the last two weeks.

In general it is not a pretty story so far for our World Cup boys. Elneny played well but in a limited-ability team. Iwobi was left out in the second and third game, which I  thought was a tactical mistake, especially in the final game in which the Super Eagles sat back too much and missed a quality creator in the final  third. Perhaps the  biggest disappointment was Joel Campbell who was poor in Costa Rica’s final game; he looked nothing like the raw talent we saw in Brazil four years ago.

Mesut Ozil was left out for Germany’s all important second game but he was reinstated for the even more important final group game. He made himself available and looked to create chances for the Germans but the movement in front of him was limited and the World Cup holders looked dazed and confused when receiving the ball and passing it round. Low tempo, low inspiration, limited movement and technical limitations when presented with a chance, meant that the Germans had to say Auf Wiedersehn to Russia and fly home with their tails between their legs. Mesut looked knackered and sad at the end and it will take a while before he will be over this.

Ospina is through after looking a safe pair of hands in Colombia’s goal. He will have a chance to steel the show this weekend when the ‘lucky-losers’ Three Lions will be Colombia’s next opponent. Monreal, our Nacho, is also through to the next round but I have yet to see him in action. Welbeck? Through to the next round but very little involvement – a man on the periphery.

The real positives come from the Swiss camp. Lichtsteiner has looked fresh and solid in defence and was strong in supporting the attack too, with some very fine balls into the box for example. Looking fwd to seeing him in the mighty red and white of Arsenal.

Xhaka has looked solid and central to all the Swiss team is about. An almost perfect balance between supporting the attack, controlling the midfield and feeding the attacking players constantly with simple and more tricky balls, Granit was the beating heart of the Swiss. His demeanour, positioning on the pitch and communication skills are those of a captain; and I predict it will not be long before he is made ours.

This Swiss team has resilience, steel and creativity and power up-front. I don’t think they will have a chance to win it but it would not be a surprise to me if they reach the last four. Injuries and suspensions will be an issue for the Swiss of course, but I fancy them against the Swedes and the English/Columbians in the quarter finals, if indeed they go through. If it does come to a Switzerland v England confrontation you will have to ask yourself, if you are English that is, who you will support: Granit’s Switzerland or the Spuds-infested Ingurland??! 😀

The good news is that a lot of our Gunners are now finished at the WC and have 43 days left to get ready for the new season. With so many of our stars not at the WC at all, there is a good chance we will have a competitive and fit team ready when the Northern Oilers visit us on 11 August. In the meantime, let’s keep supporting our few remaining Gunners in this just about watchable World Cup 2018.

By TotalArsenal.

The World Cup is hotting up but it is scant a distraction to our wait for real football that begins in August. Am always out in the open lighting myself cigarettes of things Arsenal, World Cup not withstanding.

It’s widely believed that Emery wants to build his team around Ozil and Ramsey even though the story fueling this belief materialized as it were from thin air and there has not (to my knowledge) been a confirmation of it from Emery or any source close to him.

I was sceptical of the story when it broke soon after Emery’s appointment. It is not unreasonable to imagine that the meticulous Emery would not rush into such a decision with as yet a superficial knowledge of the team. He might known enough of the players to impress in an interview, but the real knowledge that can back such a massive public declaration can only come from working with the players.

An experienced coach knows that videos tell only part of a player’s story. There are many vital things it cannot tell; for instance, how amenable to instruction a player is. There are players whose playing habits have become fixed. There are some who are self willed to the extent of resisting instructions that they don’t fancy. There are even some who want to assert their own will over the coach’s in matters of training, tactics and selection of players. PSG, full of big egos was a nightmare for Emery for the latter reasons. With that haunting experience, he would least want to commit himself with such a premature pronouncement. Granted he must start on a certain premise but as an experienced coach he is bound to leave it open to revisions as his knowledge of his players improves.

Further more, a seasoned coach always mindful of the ever sensitive dressing room, knows better than to canvas certain ideas formally or publicly.

What does it really mean to build a team around a player? I find it a lot more agreeable if it means building a team to accommodate a player’s strength and weaknesses. But then isn’t this what is being done for every player in a team? Torreira is perceived as one who would help to cover Xhaka’s defensive weakness amongst other things.

Let us examine the case of Ramsey. His strength is his stamina, his indefatigable spirit, his box runs. On the down side is his apparent lack in understanding of defensive positioning. If Emery is able to take away his unguarded box runs (which I doubt he can) Ramsey’s game might just go flat or at best become average. That could decide Emery to leave him as he is accommodating his weakness by adopting a 3-man midfield or pushing him up as an attacking midfielder. Each of the above two options would mean one of the front four of Auba, Laca, Mkhi and Ozil (our likely 1st choice front four) dropping out. I doubt anyone sees that as a clear cut choice. If it’s no clear cut choice then there is no basis expecting Rambo to be central to Emery’s plans.

In the case of Ozil we all know his strengths and his weaknesses. Emery has clearly indicated that pressing is a major change he will bring to the team. He did not say it for the benefit of the press. It is a clear message to his players, Ozil inclusive. He obviously wants them to use the holiday to get their minds adjusted to it and it hardly rhymes that Ozil would be the heart of the team that has a major plank of its tactics as gengen pressing. Yes, Ozil will be there, but not as the centre of things.

Meanwhile Emery has signed Lichsteiner and Bernd Leno. Torreira is awaiting official confirmation. Sokratis Papastathopoulus looks in the bag. Rumours of a distant phone call to Ever Banega is everywhere. Non of these have a smell of Rambo and Ozil at the centre, let alone the fact of Rambo’s contract running out in a year. Emery is building a team of eleven players and not a team around two players.

By PE

A few more days of WC football have past and not many games reached the WOW-level of club football. The defences of teams have the better from the offences of their opponents: quality moves in and around the box are hard to come by and goals are often scored from set pieces. But there still were some very good games to watch and they were typified by high intensity of play and good passing round of the ball.

The pick of the bunch was the highly charged battle between Switzerland and Serbia, with a great Swiss come back in the second half turning a losing position into a winning one through sheer desire and individual qualities. Our very own Xhaka played a crucial role in this. He made himself constantly available and passed the ball crisply to whomever was available to receive it. He makes it look simple but it’s far from it.

To be fair, he and the rest of the team did not start great and at half time they could be more behind than by just the one goal. But they kept their calm and came out with renewed determination in the second half. Xhaka masterfully led the team in midfield, playing a key role in moving the game into the Serbs’ half with good vision and precise passing.

Of course the game will always be remembered for Granit’s wonderful diagonal thunderbolt, which levelled the game and gave the Swiss the much needed momentum to clinch victory. A certain mini-Orc from Stoke did just that at the closing stages of the game from a quick counterattack, instigated by Granit of course. But GX also showed what he is capable of if he is supported by a solid fellow midfielder. Behrami, with a great engine, healthy aggression, excellent reading of the game and some very fine interceptions, was a very good partner for Xhaka v Serbia.

I can talk and talk about Xhaka’s calm and effective brilliance, but I suggest you just watch the video:

With Granit we have a very fine deeper-laying midfield and we just have to support him with a Behrami-like partner. Torreira will fit the bill rather nicely, I reckon.

By TotalArsenal.

Sadly, Jack announces his departure

We all knew it was on the cards and now he has confirmed it; after 17 years at Arsenal, the club’s most prodigious self-developed talent is seeking another club. Those of us who grew up with football have never had any difficulties in spotting the incredible talent of Jack: great on the ball, great eye for a pass, beautiful burst forward to create space and momentum and great attitude on the pitch. Enormous fitness challenges due to injuries over the years have limited his development; and despite Wenger helping him as much as he could to regain first-team form, he just did not reach the level of football he used to play at, and is required at Arsenal. The video below depicts beautifully all that Jack was capable of and what an enormous talent he promised to be:

At 26 and wanting to play football on a weekly basis, Jack, I guess, had to go. But he will be missed and wherever he goes, abroad or in the PL, I wish him well.

The big question is now where will he go and will he still come good?

Leno is a Gunner

Bernd Leno has joined the club from Bayern Leverkusen for whom he stood between the woodwork for just over 300 times in seven seasons (43 games per season). At 26 this ought to be his big move, and those who scouted him must believe that he is the one for us. I find it hard to judge the quality of a GK until they join us. Even then, it is not easy to judge whether we win or lose a game purely because of the contributions of a goalkeeper. You can look at the ability to stop shots and make incredible saves, but organisation of defence, judgement on when to intervene/come out and ability to spook attackers when they are about to pull the trigger, are just as important. A good goalkeeper needs quite a few qualities and they have to really click with their fellow defenders as well, of course.

There are two big questions re Leno’s arrival: will he be our nr.1 goalkeeper or will he have to compete for it; and who will leave the club this summer? If it was me I would let Ospina go, so Cech – the Master – can work with Leno – the apprentice – and make him world class (just as Lichtsteiner will be working with Hector).

Ramsey: sign or go

With the anticipated arrival of Torreira and the confirmed departure of Jack Wilshere (and I reckon these two events are directly related), and the recent contract extensions of Elneny and Xhaka, the central midfield positions are more or less sorted. It looks like Maitland-Niles (AMN) will also play more first team football next season, and this would give us four players for the central midfield positions (the double pivot). All four players are well-rounded midfielders who can defend as well as support the attack. I believe they will be required to sit back more and play with (defensive) discipline to make us more solid, especially in away games (but maybe this is more a case of wishful thinking on my side! 🙂 ).

Key questions are: who are first choice for the pivot and what to do with Aaron Ramsey. Will he still be the nr.1 B2B midfielder or will he be moved into the hole in a 4-2-1-3 formation?

I believe Xhaka-Torreira will become our first choice double-pivot midfielders and AMN/Elneny will be the back up (and starting a few PL games and most of the cup games). Xhaka will love the added energy and defensive support from the Uruguayan, and this will allow him to sit deep in midfield from where he is most effective.

I anticipate that he will indeed be moved into the hole with a front three of Mkhi/Auba – Auba-Laca – Ozil/Perez. Ozil will play in a free role with some defensive responsibilities and a strong focus on supporting Ramsey in making things happen in attack. So, often it will look like 2-2-2 in front of the defence with one or two wingbacks supporting the attackers in addition. I still expect Rambo to run a lot between midfield/defence and attack but with two midfielders behind him rather than just the one. This would also be a good role for Iwobi to develop further in, as back up for Rambo. In case of injury, Ozil will slot into the ‘hole-position’ for the big games and Iwobi can fill the position in the cup games and easier PL games as to give the Welshman a rest.

However, Ramsey will have to sign a new contract first and my gut feeling is this will drag on and on. If this is going to be the case, I hope the club sell him and sign a quality player asap. You are either in or out, Aaron.

By TotalArsenal. 

I don’t know about you but I have been enjoying the WC games until now. Expectations were low and, as Seventeenho keeps telling us, that is the key to happiness! 🙂 Expect it to be rubbish and low and behold it may turn out quite good.

The highlights until now were Spain v Portugal and Peru v Denmark. Unfortunately, no Gunners were involved in those games. But I also enjoyed the epic battles between the supreme attack-minded teams and those that need to survive on mean defending and counter football/set-pieces (PtB teams).

The Iberian derby finished 3-3 and had everything you’d wished for; if the final is of a similar quality the tournament will finish on a high. There were two teams who wanted to attack and win the game, and that usually is the prerequisite for an open and entertaining encounter. Ronaldo was on a mission, and his late equaliser from a sumptuous free-kick completed an incredible one-man-show hattrick. Whether you like him or not, we have to say that CR had a phenomenal performance, based on talent, personality and determination. The bigger Iberian nation were the better team and they will be kicking themselves for not taking all three points. With a surprise win for Iran and Morocco capable of getting something from their games against their northern ‘neighbours’, there is every chance for a surprise outcome in this group.

France got a late winner against a well-drilled Aussie team with an assist for Giroud (late substitute) and are the only ‘favourites’ team to start with three points in the bag. Peru v Denmark was a gem of a match. This game was fast and full of energy, but the ball was also played on the ground with some very good passing combinations on show by both teams throughout the entire game. I enjoyed this game from start to finish and the South Americans really deserved at least a point fromit.

Argentina v Iceland was a typical attack v PtB game, reminiscent of many an Arsenal game over the years. The team of Sons were very well organised and determined to keep Messi and co out with a couple of almost insurmountable icebergs in front of goal, and they succeeded. For such a small nation – for every Icelander there are 148 Argentinians! – this is of course a phenomenal outcome; and it leaves the South-Americans in a precarious situation as Croatia and Nigeria will be no pushovers either. The Balkan nation beat a seemingly unfocused Nigerian team as they were caught, according to our esteemed fellow blogger GoonerEris, between (German) tactics and natural swagger. Iwobi, possibly carrying an injury, was disappointing on the left wing, even though he did not see much of the ball as most of the attacks went through the disappointing, wimpy Moses on the right.

The Nigerians will take on Iceland next and will need a win, and Argentina will need to get something from their game with Croatia and then play the Super Eagles in the final game. The Western-Africans beat Argentina in a friendly not that long ago, so there will be belief that they can come out victoriously in what is likely to be a must-win game for both nations. All to play for it in Group D.

In Group E, Serbia, like their well-loved Balkan neighbours Croatia, got themselves an efficient win against Costa Rica; and then Brazil were held by a highly efficient, park-the-Alps, Swiss team. It looks like this WC will be all about the battles between the attack-minded teams v the defence-minded teams, and the latter are a lot stronger now then they have ever been with always a chance to score a goal from well-drilled set-pieces and laser-sharp counterattacks. Brazil were unlucky not to take all three points from the game, with some good chances at the end to score the winner. Next up are Costa Rica and that is of course a must win game for the Samba boys. Arsenal’s Lichtsteiner and Xhaka, who both had very tidy games in which they worked their socks off, will need a win against Serbia. For this they will have to be a bit more adventurous, which may not come natural to them.

The final game on Sunday saw the Germans losing to Mexico: the biggest surprise until now!

The Mexican scored in the first half with a text-book counterattack of which we will see no better example this whole WC, I reckon. The Mexican waving walls were too much for the insipid Germans, who just could not get round or through them whatever they tried. The Germans have it all to do too, as both Sweden and South Korea will also be hard to break down with some attacking weapons at their disposal to hurt the current WC champions.

Mesut did okay to get the attack going and make himself constantly available, but the movement in front of him was poor and for most of the game there wasn’t a Giroud-like target man to make some space in the box and combine with. Despite playing ‘proper wingers’ in Draxler and Reus, the Germans were unable to get past the defence from the wings as the defensively impressive Mexicans just did not allow them any space for combinations or through-balls. Germany will have to up their game considerably if they want to survive this (now all of a sudden) very hard group for them.

Xhaka was probably the most impressive Gunner on display in the games played until now. Against Serbia he will need a top performance to help guide his team to a vital victory.

By TotalArsenal.

In the very north of Scotland you can find Lewisian Gneiss: three billion year old rock. The earth is even a lot older than this (4.5 billion years), but every time I see this ancient landscape it makes me realise how short our lives really are. If we are lucky we make it to 90 or a 100 years, but what is that compared to the Hebridian Terrane? Even though our lives are a mini blip in the history of the world, just a drop of water on a red-hot cooking stone, we cannot help ourselves wasting a lot of time by reading the Arsenal gossip sites a few times a day, if not hourly!

We all know we should use our time better and maybe the WC will bring some much needed distraction. I am saying this with hope more than anything else, as international football seldom reaches the level of quality and intensity that club games offer. Having said that, I am looking forward to see how our very own international Gunners will get on in Russia. There are some fine games to switch the TV on for in the next seven days:

1. Friday – Egypt v Uruguay: Elneny v Torreira?! The Uruguayan could be a Gunner soon and Elneny is always a joy to watch.
2. Friday – Portugal v Spain: Will Nacho feature and how will the Iberian nations treat this first group game: with passion or cheer calculation?
3. Saturday – France v Australia: Giroud is no longer a Gunner on paper but I would love to see him having a good tournament.
4. Saturday – Croatia v Nigeria: A big fan of Iwobi, I will follow him closely this tournament.
5. Super Sunday: Campbell’s Costa Rica v Serbia; Ozil’s Germany v Mexico, and; Lichtsteiner and Xhaka’s Switzerland v the Samba boys. Four Gunners in action!!
6. Monday: Jackless (and therefore creativity deprived) England v Tunisia: Will Welbeck start?
7. Tuesday: Day of the GKs. Kamikaze Szczesny (ex-Gunner) for Poland and OsssssssssssssPeeeeenah for Columbia will surely be guarding the goal v Senegal and Japan respectively? In the evening kick-off, Elneny will take on mother Russia and drive her round the imaginary Pyramid.
8. Wednesday: second  game for Torreira (v Saudis) and Monreal (v Iran). Hopefully by then the Uruguayan has been signed up and given the shirt.
9. Thursday: another game for Giroud? The non-Gunners-involvement clash between Argentina and Croatia could be worth watching.

So plenty to look forward to from an Arsenal perspective and before you know we will be treated to our very own friendly pre-season games; and that’s never a waste of time!

Finally, just for a bit of fun, who will get to the semi-finals and who will win the WC?

By TotalArsenal

Arsenal’s fixtures for 2018-19:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/scores-fixtures/2018-08

With both the BBC and the Guardian stating  that we are in advanced negotiations for Lucas Torreira, it looks like the Arsenal puzzle is starting to fall into place. Sokratis’ arrival seems now a formality, and Lichtsteiner has already joined Arsenal. So if all goes to plan Arsenal will have added a CB, rFB and a DM/Central midfielder; and that means that most gaps identified by the majority of the fans at the end of the season will have been filled. A new GK is apparently Arsenal’s next target.

Looking at Torreira’s videos on line, he reminds me of Santi Carzola. Lucas may not be as two footed as the sadly now departed ex-Gunner, but in terms of stature, determination, football skills and style of football, there are some strong similarities.

It looks like Torreira plays naturally deep but also likes to go forward. He is strong at dispossessing opponents without being a classic DM tackler; and with his low centre of gravity he is hard to dispossess of the ball. The Uruguayan likes to dribble forward, can spot and execute a through-ball really well and has a decent shot from just outside the box. The current Fiorentina player is only 22 but already played 71 league games in the last two seasons – with four goals and one assist in 36 league games, and 1 key pass per game on average, in 2017-18.

So a new and fit Cazorla with an extra strong ability to dispossess opponents of the ball in midfield – with 2.8 tackles per game he is sixth best tackler in Serie A (and 2 interceptions per game is not bad either for a 22 year old) – may just be what the doctor ordered. I reckon he will be competing with Elneny and Maitland-Niles for the position next to Xhaka in deeper midfield. He could also start instead of Xhaka in some games, of course.

Our new ‘First Eleven’ or ‘First Sixteen’ could look like this:

Of course we will have to see how the likes of Lichtsteiner, Torreira and Sokratis will do in the PL, but I like the way we are going for proven and talented players who will bring a bit of grid and solidity to the team. Less than two months to go till the start of the new season. Get those players signed up and… Bring It On!

By TotalArsenal.

If you managed to watch the whole England v Costa Rica game without falling asleep, then well done you! We football junkies need to feed on every morsel thrown at us, but boy was last night’s ‘friendly’ tedious to the extreme. England have a system of play that consists of high energy and pressing high as well as quick passing with the aim to get through parked defences. Costa Rica sat back and further back and struggled throughout the game to get anywhere near the England box. They just could not deal with the energy of the English and the lack of available space to play the ball. It made for a very one-sided and boring game.

From an Arsenal perspective we can make a few observations:

1. Welbeck scored! He came on late as a sub once again, but this time he found the net from close range with his head. He showed Dele Alli where he wanted the ball and, whether everybody’s favourite warm and cuddly Spud meant it or not, he delivered it perfectly and Danny pounced, needing the post to get it into a wide open space ahead of him. This will have done him a world of good and let’s hope he will get a few more during the WC. We all know that he gives his all, but he needs to improve his bread and butter stats.
2. Campbell had a poor game. I am a fan of Joel and would not mind to see him back at Arsenal, but last night’s showing was anything but convincing. He was isolated a lot and once he got the ball he tried to get the game going, but, unlike Iwobi a few days ago, he did not manage to hold onto the ball long and make space for himself and others. He had a few half opportunities to create a chance for others or to have a go himself, but time after time he fluffed it. His willingness to put pressure on defenders and midfielders was unimpressive, but then again, so was the entire Costa Rica team’s. It just seems that the English soil is not suited for him, and let’s see whether he’ll do better during the much more meaningful WC games in Russia.
3. England miss (a) Jack Wilshere. I like the fitness  levels and willingness to press high of the English team, but what it lacked was a creative conductor. It is all very frantic and not easy on the eye, and quite inefficient if you ask me. Without an Eriksen, De Bruine or Ozil, England lack a player who can see gaps in front of him or spot movement early and then pinpoint deliver a throughball or cross. In short the Tree Lions lack inventiveness, a creative scalpel. I know that Jack’s fitness levels are a continuous issue and it is now highly likely that he will not progress much further, but England still could desperately do with him. If not in Plan A, he would be good to have on the bench and come on in the second half to find the holes in the tiring parked-bus defences and make the difference.

By TotalArsenal

Stephan Lichtsteiner is not the sort of sexy first signing by Emery we were all hoping for. In fact, had Wenger still be in charge and a Swiss 34 year old right back was his first squad addition this summer, we would almost all be jumping up and down and storm the Emirates with pitchforks and torches.

Yet this ex-Juve player is a sensible addition to the team and shows that Emery’s first focus is on improving the squad’s strength in depth and experience levels within the team.

So what is he likely to add to Arsenal’s squad:

1. Stephan will bring leadership and the ‘experience of winning’ to the team, both on the field and in the dressing room. He is the current captain of the Swiss national team, and if you have ever seen him play for club or country you will know him as a very focused, professional and no-nonsense defender with a strong engine. He will fit in straightaway and know what is expected of him. I have no doubt that he will improve the leadership ability within our team.
2. Although he is 34, Lichtsteiner is still very fit and driven. He played 37 games on average per season (32 last campaign) for Juventus and is as hungry as ever. He will not be our automatic first choice right back and this is ideal to get the best out of Bellerin. Hector is a great talent and could become an Arsenal-Great, but his progress has stagnated a bit. Working with Lichtsteiner, a Master in his position, should help the apprentice tremendously in making that last step to a top-top wing-back. I can see them playing both a lot of games and provide real attacking thrust and defensive solidity to our right wing next season.
3. Granit Xhaka is top captain material for Arsenal. Lichtsteiner’s compatriot has charisma, seriousness, a hard-edge and sits in the ideal position – central midfield (deep) – to see the game in front of him as well as behind him and function as the on-field strategist and team-coach. But he is still a bit young and hot-headed at times, and he came with a reputation from the Bundesliga which of course the referees jumped on straightaway (Arsenal players can get kicked about without any repercussions, but oh dear if a Gunner decides to do something back…). Xhaka will play regularly near, and often next to, the Swiss captain, and I reckon Lichtsteiner will teach him a few captain-tricks and insights along the way.

So a sensible signing that will strengthen the team and provide fine cover and a bit of competition and learning-opportunities for the fine-haired fashion-man. Next questions to answer is who will he have to play with at right-side CB: Mustafi, Chambers, Sokratis, ANother??

By TotalArsenal.

Despite playing for a team that got relegated in La Liga last season, according to Whoscored this player finished fourth in producing key passes per game: 2.3 on average. That is just 0.1 per game less than the giants Messi and Kroos (second and third), and 0.4 less than the impressive Jonathan Viera of Las Palmas. It is also 0.6 better than Luis Suarez’s 1.7 key passes  on average per game.

Furthermore, this 29 year old Spaniard finished fifth in producing crosses per game in La Liga: 1.5 on average. Despite his team’s relegation, he managed to score eight goals and produce six assists in 35 league games for Deportivo La  Coruna (together with Juanfran he played most games for his team last season). In his final ten games he scored four goals and produced three assists and that shows us that he gave everything to avoid relegation for his team.

This player is on Arsenal’s books, and I think by now you know who I am talking about: Lucas Perez, of course.

I really liked Perez at Arsenal and was surprised and a bit saddened to see him loaned out to Deportivo during last summer. We could have done with him, especially in the UEFA league games, and I am not sure what happened between him and Wenger that made the Frenchman loan out such an effective, hard-working (with and without the ball) team player leave again. To be fair, he did not have a fabulous 16-17 season, with only 11 appearances (many as a sub), one goal and no assists; but he did produce an impressive 2.6 chances and 2.4 dribbles per 90 minutes of football.

I reckon we have missed such a player during the last campaign, and as he plays predominantly on the right – where I expect Ozil to play again next season – he could be excellent back up for the German whilst also making many starts in the cup competitions. Lucas has the character, passion and quality to push the other attackers hard and it looks like that’s what Emery is all about. Obviously, he also costs nothing which allows Emery to spend his budget on other areas of the team. For me it is a no-brainer to bring Lucas back to the Home of Football.

By TotalArsenal.