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Offical match day thread

Discussion in 'Arsenal' started by PINKIE, Aug 5, 2019.

  1. PINKIE

    PINKIE Wurzel Gummidge

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    Partey, Gabriel and Martinelli coming back into this team just at the right time <ok>
     
    #1681
  2. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    I feel like Willian and Pepe both in the spotlight today.
    Saka playing so well, Smith Rowe coming in and the potential arrival of Odengaard - they could find themselves permanatlky out of the EPL lineup if they dont improve.
     
    #1682
  3. cini65

    cini65 Well-Known Member

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    I feel bad for Pepe. He never properly gets a chance to start with the first team. He gets cameos at the end or plays in the 2nd string. If he played with Saka, Martinelli, ESR I reckon he'd have fun, get confidence and be really good. He is clearly a very good footballer. Pace, skill, goal threat.
     
    #1683
  4. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    True but Arteta is looking for players to prove they deserve to play.
    The thing with Pepe is much like Ozil he totally lacks that aggression needed to force things in game. Ability wise Pepe is top notch it's just a shame he isnt a little more aggressive/assertive in approach.

    In games like this he should be shooting from distance, taking players on, out to make a point.
     
    #1684
  5. BrunelGunner

    BrunelGunner Well-Known Member
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    Ball circulation is too slow and there's absolutely no tempo. Midfield being overran and when they do get the ball, not progressing it quickly enough. Southampton are cutting out the passing lanes so easily because we're not moving the ball fast enough.
    Everything is so laboured and backwards/sideways, which makes it easy for them to defend. They're not having to exert themselves too much.

    The only good thing about that half is that it's only 1-0. We should be losing by more.

    What did Arteta think would happen by playing a midfield pivot of Xhaka and Elneny against a high-pressing, energetic team?
     
    #1685
  6. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    Elneny and Willian creating absolutely nothing. Slow and ponderous.
     
    #1686
  7. BrunelGunner

    BrunelGunner Well-Known Member
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    A pathetic, limp display in a game where we needed to be energetic and right at the races from the off.

    If Arteta was serious about wanting to take every competition seriously, he would not have started Xhaka and Elneny in the middle, he most definitely wouldn't have started Willian and as for Pepe, well, the less said the better.

    There was a slight improvement when Partey and Saka came on, but not enough and we didn't really test Forster that much.

    I fully expect us to put in a significantly improved performance and result on Tuesday to compensate for that utter ****e.
     
    #1687
  8. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    I dont really agree with this - we play again in 3 days in an arguably more important game.

    You cant start your strongest 11 every game - he can only play the players he has available.

    You would have thought a £72million pound signing and a multiple League Winner would have been good enough replacements.

    The issue is really that Pepe and Willian are proving to be not good enough. Elneny has never been good enough.

    The Odengaard signing is looking more importanta now because we clearly need more creativity in the squad.
     
    #1688
  9. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    One thing that annoys me is that Xhaka gets called a leader was even given the arnband at one point - but he only plays well when the rest of the side are playing well. He's never the guy to carry the team to a win.

    Thats why I miss Guendouzi - he could be reckless but he would try his best to make things happen even when the rest of the team were doing **** all.
     
    #1689
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  10. BrunelGunner

    BrunelGunner Well-Known Member
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    No, you've missed the point of what I've said.

    My issue isn't that we didn't play our best XI. My issue is how pathetic the performance was and Arteta constantly giving minutes to players who show why they don't deserve to be at the club.

    I'm not that fussed about the FA Cup this year. But if we were to be knocked out, I wanted to go out fighting. We went out with a whimper. Southampton won't have had an easier game all season.
     
    #1690

  11. white_gunner

    white_gunner Well-Known Member

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    I’ll say again -

    I can’t believe we gave Willian a 3 year deal <laugh>
     
    #1691
  12. omogooner

    omogooner Well-Known Member

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    I don't know why Arteta gets a free pass with his diabolical team selection? I hear people say play in 3 days, we are in a no-man's land in the league, we are not likely to qualify for Europe via the league (the only other method is winning europey - which is unlikely). So I don't get his arrogance and disrespect to Southampton. He has an over-inflated opinion of his ability, and top sides would have had him fired ages ago!
     
    #1692
  13. BrunelGunner

    BrunelGunner Well-Known Member
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    Free pass?? Pretty much everyone has been lambasting him for not taking it seriously, all the pundits on BBC and Sky criticised him for it, and some ex-players as well.

    I don't think he disrespected Southampton, he's not stupid. They're obviously a very good side as their league position shows. However, he felt this was the game to give our second-string players a chance to prove themselves. Yet again, they failed to deliver.

    On the plus side, at least we won't have to see the likes of Willian, Elneny etc for a while. Only PL and EL to focus on now.
     
    #1693
  14. PINKIE

    PINKIE Wurzel Gummidge

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    Elneny has done okay in the first XI imo. But I do not want to see Willian in this team, and neither Pepe or Nketiah have warranted a starting berth either.
     
    #1694
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  15. gooner4ever

    gooner4ever once a Gooner always a Gooner
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    What do we think the current market value for Pepe is and should we sell him
     
    #1695
  16. straycat_67

    straycat_67 Well-Known Member

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    £2.99?? ;)

    On to Ozil...Some nice words from him, whether they were genuine or not is irrelevant

    "It is difficult for me to put into words the love I feel for the club and the fans," Ozil said in an open letter.

    "How could I possibly describe eight years of gratitude in a single letter?

    "I will be a Gunner for life - no doubt about that."

    He added: "Arsenal is a club of class and prestige, something that I felt every time I walked on to the pitch.

    "Players, staff and management always come and go - but the club's values and fans will remain forever.

    "The principles of class, respect and dignity must never be forgotten. It is the responsibility of every single person from the club to make sure they carry out their job in the name of these values."
     
    #1696
  17. omogooner

    omogooner Well-Known Member

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    Whether it was arrogance or disrespect, it was evident from the starting 11, we were going to get beat. As I said, he has not achieved much to be gambling like that. Furthermore, the cups represents a pathway into Europe, as judging from Arteta's tactical nous, we are not likely to qualify for Europe via the league whilst he is at the helm.
     
    #1697
  18. straycat_67

    straycat_67 Well-Known Member

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    Lovely goal from Saka makes in 1-2 Arsenal... get in there!
     
    #1698
  19. TheBear

    TheBear Well-Known Member

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    David Luiz has had 3-4 weird crazy moments this game.

    Guess things dont change - Hopefully Mari is back soon.
     
    #1699
  20. PINKIE

    PINKIE Wurzel Gummidge

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    Really good performance that. Especially to get right back into it after going 1-0 down so early

    Shout to Pepe, the lad worked his socks off last night and got his reward.

    Is he finally beginning to show signs of the player we thought we'd signed ?
     
    #1700

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