No manager is above criticism but ultimately, he's trying to imprint an identity on a team that was struggling and had little motivation. Also a lot of the players he's got at his disposal aren't players he wants. But he's stuck with them. He's lost more than Emery, but he's also won more than Emery has this season and our defence, on the whole, has looked less leaky under Arteta. The loss to Chelsea you could excuse because it was his 2nd managerial game in charge and Leno made a horrible error. The loss to Olympiakos was really poor, and I think his game management was bad. But the players weren't great either. The loss to City we had unfortunate circumstances but City are a miles better side than us anyway, so it's no surprise to lose there. The loss to Brighton was awful, but I think both players and manager deserve criticism for that. The loss to Spurs was gut-wrenching, but we were undone by a shocking individual mistake and we don't have creative players in the squad to break a team that defends the way Mourinho teams do. The loss today was definitely the worst - but I have to blame the players because to not have a single shot on target against a side that looked destined for relegation is embarrassing. They were good enough to do better than today. They didn't look interested. So the only losses that I feel are mostly Arteta's fault are Olympiakos, Brighton and maybe Spurs. He deserves to have his own transfer window so he can at least try to bring his players in. Let's see what he can do.
That was ****ing gash last night. Truly woeful performance. We can beat Liverpool and City and then lose to Villa, I guess that's where we are as a club right now. Showing signs of improvement, with lots of work still to do.
I guess the players thought the hell with it. We're in a final,nothing in the league. Why bother? Don't get injured (?). Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 0. Reminds me of Newcastle (already relegated) 5 Spurs 1. All 22 + should have been fined! Think of both set of fans who had to sit through it!
It is a little worrying. That performance against Villa was not good enough - there was no urgency there. 10th and in all honesty Artetas record is no better than Emery's (technically a little worse) - His best performances are better and the football has improved but there is still ALOT of building to do with next to no money available.
Our big problem is the lack of creativity, ozil has to be integrated back into the side. Ozil giving 70% is more effective then cebbalos giving 100% ozil only needs a couple of moments of magic a game to create chances. Based of arteta's last conference I get the impression the board has instructed him to freeze ozil out
26Martínez 15Maitland-Niles 16Holding 23David Luiz 3Tierney 8Ceballos 34Xhaka 19Pépé 28Willock 14Aubameyang 9Lacazette I think we are going 4-2-3-1 Regardless of the score I want Tierney, xhaka and Auba off at half time. I could care less about the money at stake we need them fresh for the final
The ref needs to calm this game down, the Watford players have lost there heads we are going to see an injury if this continues
This is typical Arsenal. Auba and Tierney looking class - scoring goals... David Luiz gives away a penalty. How many pens has he given away this Season?
Nah, you can't blame him too much for that. It was Holding's bad pass (again) that led to them going in on goal and David Luiz was forced to make a challenge. The root cause of that entire situation was Holding messing around with the ball at the back. Holding actually does this quite a lot, but he usually gets away with it. Today he didn't.
You can blame him - was a poor challenge. Was nowhere near the ball. You think a Van Dijk or a Godin would have been that blatant? If your gonna foul just to bring the man down you have to make it look like it could have been a fair challenge. Everything about it was typical Luiz - back in a four and back making errors.
OMG David Luiz ands Holding looking like a comedy duo there. How many other teams out there could look less in control while 3-1 up? Our defence is horrible.
Meh he's alright. I dont actually think Dacoure is all that great either. We should be looking at players that our well above what we have.
Hmm.. feel bad for Auba didnt get the golden boot. Holding isnt good enough I defend Pepe quite often but honestly - does he look like a £70m player?.. err No. Kolasinac isnt good enough. Luiz should not be played in a back four - the fact Arteta persists with him is worrying. Positives: Tierney was a great ****ing signing. Martinez is arguably better than Leno.
