Wait is over….

This topic contains 18 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by Al The Gooner Al The Gooner 6 years, 7 months ago.

Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1515040

    andy528
    Participant
    • :

    A couple of times recently I have genuinely forgotten that our season starts tonight. Think that is perhaps of measure of how excited I am about our chances?! Perhaps.
    Safe to say things are off to a typical Arsenal start with the news that Sanchez and Koscielny are both missing and there are big doubts over the fitness of Mertesacker, Ozil and Ramsey before a ball has been kicked.
    We should still have enough to get the job done but I really want to see Wenger pick the right team and pick people in their proper positions.
    I would love to see a Back 3 of Monreal, Mustafi and Holding in the absence of Kos. Play the Hulk at LWB, Bellerin or the Ox at RWB. If Ramsey is struggling, Eleneny deserves to keep his place after a solid enough showing last weekend. If Mesut is fit he plays tonight with no Sanchez to lean on. Who would people start in the forward areas?

    Looks to be a choice of Ozil, Lacazette, Giroud, Iwobi, Walcott. Welbeck.

    #1515057
    Al The Gooner
    Al The Gooner
    Participant
    • :

    Andy, doesn’t matter how many times Wenger let’s us down, I still get excited about the new season and always think we have a chance. Fact is, of course, we do have a chance if our manager ever gets his act together again, especially without CL football this season.

    Like you say, whichever team he puts out should be enough to get the job done and even without Sanchez or Ozil, we can still field a decent bit of firepower and a decent defence. All respect to Leicester, they ain’t Barcelona and Wenger can still field a strong enough side for a comfortable win.

    I’m going for 3-1 – C’MON YOU GUNNERS!!!

    #1515188

    muffler_1
    Participant
    • :

    Anyone who still thinks it will be different well Im glad for you Im not so I predict a 1-2 loss

    #1515204
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    I think wenger has a huge decision to make where our back five is concerned.The ox on current form is undroppable.Bellerin also cannot be dropped because that role is perfect for him.Kolasinac also has been playing really well.

    So the only think I would suggest wenger to do is push ox more forward where sanchez plays.Because it is vital he plays, or he’d want to leave as early as this transfer window!!!And that would not be a good thing.

    Our back five for today Bellerin,Holding,Mertesacker/Mustafi,monreal,kolasinac

    #1515274

    andy528
    Participant
    • :

    TSO – I agree. I would start the Ox in one of the roles behind the front man. He deserves to be playing based on form and attitude. I know its not idea shifting him around the field but he strikes me as the kind of lad who gives his all regardless of where he plays. I would prefer to see Ozil and Ox in behind Lacazette to start with and see how we go from there.

    I have a suspicion we will see Theo start and I just don’t get it, particularly with this new system. I just don’t see a place for him and I don’t think he merits one either

    #1515600

    muffler_1
    Participant
    • :

    That was the worst defending I have ever seen and still we won. I was not correct about the result though but everything else was the same as previous years. Elneny useless today and so was Xhaka the defending well all of them were shit to be honest. Up front though there were promising signs but man o man we got lucky today.

    #1515622
    AndyC
    AndyC
    Participant
    • : AndyC

    Well I’ve just got back from game and yet to watch highlights. However from what I saw it’s not much different from last season or the season before or the season before that! Still can’t defend, I don’t think merts is long term answer but he was fit and is a natural cb so why not start him? Mustafi on bench just in case why not start him and have monreal as a just in case option? Is chambers injured? It’s madness. Overall Cech was poor, monreal was terrible, holding had a mare xhaka unfortunately proved me correct, put pressure on him and he will always make mistakes and his distribution goes out the window. El neny was poor but I give him more leeway he works his socks off. Ozil was nonexistent in first half and most of second half. What I can say though is how good was lacazette. Constant option, took his goal well and linking play up beautifully. Great full debut. Giroud showing again he is the best super sub in the business. Oxlaide, he needs to sign a contract, would love to see him and Sanchez starting behind lacazette.
    I’ve defended ozil to the hills but he just looks ordinary, it’s only one game in but he wouldn’t be missed if we got rid of him he really wouldn’t. Finally kolisinac is a beast and already a terraced favourite.
    We desperately need to sign a defender, pref with prem experience. I will take the win. Yes it was shit defending but we look very good going forward and goals win games. 3 points on board that’s what really counts!

    #1515655

    Gooner54
    Participant
    • :

    The defense was rubbish.
    Xhaka had his worst game. I like him but cursed the TV so badly, my Dog went and hid.

    We have been poor in defense for so long, we tend to take it for granted the players are poor. The back post and aerial defending, are our Achilles heel. We have used over four LB’s yet the door remains open every time. Surely it can’t be all of them cannot read a game. The same with aerial weakness. Osaki, is one of the smallest players on the pitch, yet out jumps ALL our defenders? Vardy get clear, both on the ground and in the air with Xhaka standing waiting for a bus. I did like Monreal bollocking out the defense. However, too little, too late.
    The zonal marking is not working, no matter how you set up the back three, or four. We need (apart from a new manager. SIC). A defensive coach, who can organise this menagerie. Bould cannot do it, or is not allowed to do it. The last too “many” seasons past, have shown no improvement in this area. Van Dijk please. I’d pay 50 m for him in a heartbeat and give them Walcott, Chambers and Holding (on yesterday’s performance).
    Gooner for life……..

    #1515658
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    andy – It’s pretty funny.Just yesterday we were discussing about wenger’s selection and which player he’d drop amongst ox,bellerin and kolasinac.But the old nomad,proved to be his typical self and shifted Monreal at Central defense.I mean seriously how delusional can that be.Just imagine shaw,jordi alba,marcelo etc playing as a central defender especially in a three man defense.He started with a weak defense last season, and we lost because the opposing team was that good.We started with a weak defense and if it was not for our attacking performance(let’s be honest in the last 20 mins it could’ve gone either way) we’d have lost this one as well.
    My point is his continuous decision making of playing players out of position especially puts us in this spot too many times.

    I remember a few days ago we both agreed that more than anything we need midfielders to screen our defense more than anything.I have to admit If I think of it again then our defense simply needs to improve.Because no matter what two midfielders can’t be passing the ball to each other all the time.We need some solid world class ball playing defenders.I can’t stress the importance of getting van dijk,and if the player has handed in a transfer request and some other team acquires him, then that can be a sole decider of our challenge this season.

    #1515659
    the specialone
    the specialone
    Participant
    • :

    Also,Holding probably had his worst game in an Arsenal shirt.And while the whole fanbase was singing his praises towards the end of last season,I actually noticed his mistakes and pointed out the incidents where other teams didn’t take full advantage of it.In short, he’s simply inexperienced.I think he needs atleast two more years before he can start playing for the first team.And he has to learn from the best.Great talent, and I hope he improves his mentality as well.But for now simple unreliable.

    #1515706
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    Gooner54, couldn’t agree more about Xhaka last night he was dreadful. He was responsible for 2 out of 3 of Leicesters goals, he didn’t cover, didn’t track players and his passing was lazy and sloppy. The back3 which was a reserve back3 won’t play together again (I hope) but there is no cover in front of them. Elneny tried but isn’t good enough, Xhaka is just too slow and sloppy and Bellerin was also poor. Holding had a very poor game but I felt sorry for him. Ozil was his usual self but thankfully Lacazette & Welbeck were lively and the two subs saved us. If we don’t strengthen in defence and the centre of midfield we can forget the top4 again.

    #1515753

    Gooner54
    Participant
    • :

    You know shifty, I actually like Xhaka. It was his ball to Ramsey that got the goal. Holding should have been better positioned for the Xhaka ball that caused the goal. However, in truth he was extremely weak in defense. I think he can be a very good player, but needs to up his work rate and 5 yard skills. Many, many years ago, I had the pleasure of training with Francis Lee at Cape Town city. Although I was just a snot player and honored to be on the same field as him. I was amazed at how fast he was over short sprints. He could out “doggy” a Greyhound. Although stocky, and no top end, he was a bugger to mark. He would get at you so quickly, and a shot that would knock you over. He was at the end of his career then, but used savvy and basic skills. Have played against many old pros and watched them rule the centre of the park. it’s not always pace that wins the day in midfield, it’s positioning and technique.Look at Carrick and Alonso. Xhaka needs to develop his short quick movements and work on his heading. He has the body strength and build to be a force to be reckoned with. Again I say the development of players at Arsenal is lacking. Walcott as an example. Billy whizz, with no brain. couldn’t even run the ball past Cahill last week. Never been able to up his skills, or be developed by a “thinking” coach. Ox looking better yesterday, so much potential going to waste. Imagine him with the right skills training.
    This is the same in defense. Same problems year after year. Players come and go, yet the holes remain. A good coach would have fixed these long time passed. Shakespeare, nearly had us yesterday. It won’t get any easier.
    Respect.
    GFL.

    #1515827
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    Gooner54, I’m not surprised players don’t develop when we have a manager that doesn’t understand organisation and leadership. Look at our side at the end of the game, it was playground stuff. Did anyone know where they were supposed to be playing. Right back at left midfield, left midfielder at right midfield, back3 of left backs, main striker wide left, left striker wide right. I was totally confused. As for Xhaka he’s mobile and slow, he has no pace at all and cannot get around the pitch. His passing was terribly sloppy throughout, he cost us 2 goals and if it hadn’t been for Cech’s tackle way outside his area he would have cost us another goal. Without additions in defence and midfield we will finish no higher than last season.

    #1516146

    Gooner54
    Participant
    • :

    Must admit we were lucky when Cech played a Manuel Neuer. If Vardy had a better look, it would have been in the back of the net.
    I cannot understand the positionings either.
    How can players not be ready for start of season. The fitness should be incorporated into a plan that compensates for o o season tournaments. They are at a high fitness level after competing. Surely taper off hi intensity and bring them up to speed. You know when they’re required, plan for it.
    I’m no fitness specialist, therefore possibly an uneducated opinion. I still can’t understand having a weak squad when you know well in advance, what’s required.
    With regard to Xhaka. I hope you are wrong, as I do like him. Maybe mid season we can discuss again.
    Will talk again too when transfer window closes. We share sentiments on this. I hope we are both wrong in this regard.Respect.
    GFL.

    #1516289

    fatmop
    Participant
    • :

    Er Oracle we won. That playground stuff won us the match. Had Wenger not changed the system and gone all out would have lost.

    #1516565
    The Oracle
    The Oracle
    Participant
    • :

    fat mop, it was the usual 70th minute panic substitution fiasco and Wenger got lucky. Of course had he signed one of the many quality central defenders he has ignored over the years and if he knew the first thing about defending we wouldn’t have been 2-3 down at home to a crap side like Leicester.

    #1516634
    Al The Gooner
    Al The Gooner
    Participant
    • :

    One of the commentators summed it up perfectly when he said that all seven goal were down to us – the three Leicester scored were all down to abysmal defending, but the four we scored were all well-worked goals against a tight Leicester defence.

    End of the day, there’s a lot more positives than negatives to take from that game. Yes, Wenger showed once again his contempt for the defensive side of the game and once again, he’s taken us into a season with only half the squad ready, but both the defence and attack will improve.

    Also, another game where Ozil might as well have not been on the pitch for about 3/4 of the game and Theo, a long-time favourite of mine can’t even turn it on for a sub appearance any more.

    The positives though? Our two new signings are both settling in well. Lacazette is looking like the striker we’ve been missing. Probably too much to hope that he’ll be a replacement for van pur$ie, but certainly better than anything we have now, apart from Sanchez and he’ll either be off soon or back out on the left if he stays. Also another solid I’ve-been-here-for-years-type performance from Kolasinac and it’s no wonder he’s already a firm fan favourite.

    Both Ox and Welbeck looked good in pre-season and have carried that into the new term and Ollie is fast becoming one of the best regular subs we’ve ever had. I’ll never get why he so often does it from the bench but so rarely when he actually starts. Maybe his fresh legs and strength are just too much for defences to handle when they’ve already played for 70 minutes and I’m sure Ollie won’t be happy as a super-sub but, for now, he’s quickly becoming one of my favourite players again.

    All-in-all, it was a brilliant, highly entertaining game. I’m sure I wouldn’t feel like that if we’d drawn or lost but I’d always prefer a 4-3 win – regardless of who it’s against – than a 1-0 win and nice to get three points on the board from the off, which certainly hasn’t happened for a while.

    C’MON YOU GUNNERS!!!

    #1516644

    andy528
    Participant
    • :

    Al, on the subject of favourite players……..my missus asked me, (when I was venting about our defensive circus after the game) who my favourite player was in the squad and honestly, I struggled to answer her!
    For me, it speaks volumes that Kolasinac is possibly my favourite player when he has been here 5 minutes. Aside from him its probably Giroud or Koscielny.

    For me it comes down to a few key elements and ability isn’t actually one of the more crucial ones. Ray Parlour is a prime example of that. Attitude is key and the Hulk has that spot on, plus everyone loves the hard nut of the team anyway. Its helps that he is performing pretty well of course. Giroud is a player I have always liked and defended most of the time. He has his sulks like anyone but you can see that he clearly loves the fans and the club and when he is gone, I hope people appreciate that his record was pretty bloody good. He was never going to be a world beater but he has been a terrific servant for the club.

    #1516671
    Al The Gooner
    Al The Gooner
    Participant
    • :

    Andy, I’m like you mate – always love a player who puts the effort in. I always loved Perry Groves and you could only love him for his effort – it certainly wasn’t his prowess in front of goal!

    Let’s face it, that’s the only reason Ollie’s been such a fan favourite. He’s never got more than 16 goals in a season and I’d be surprised if any of the other top 6 or 7 PL teams have had that kind of poor return from their first choice striker for what? Seven years now?

    But last season and for a large part of the season before that, I felt the effort was gone. I don’t know if he just got complacent but almost every game he started, he was largely anonymous for most of it and a personal bugbear of mine was that stupid tongue-out thing and look to the heavens he does every time he misses, as though he was just a bit unlucky and that next time, he’d hit the back of the net.

    In fact, the more I think about it, I’m sure it was/is complacency. For his first few seasons, he probably couldn’t believe he was the first choice striker for a team that can boast Henry and van pur$ie as two of their most recent. Now, the pattern seems to be that he puts in a few great performances from the bench, then Wenger gives him a shot as a starter again and he rarely fails to disappoint.

    As for favourites – easy one for me – Rambo. Like Theo, with Aaron it’s just about Wenger playing him a position that suits him and then the player himself providing consistency. Theo I’ve pretty much given up on but Rambo seems to be relishing playing centrally again.

    Also a big fan of Welbeck – another player you know could be great but a question of whether he’ll ever find the consistency. And it’s hard not to still love Sanchez – he really can’t be blamed for wanting out but is still one of the most exciting players in the PL and he usually works harder than anyone else on the pitch too.

Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)

You must be logged in to reply this topic.