Arsenal is so far behind other Premier League clubs in the vital "total managers" statistic that they're catching up by firing them before they're hired. The Arteta Era was apparently short-lived, lasting just a few days. We shall see if the Emery Era has more staying power.
I was fine with Arteta, and I think I'm fine with Emery. He did great things at Sevilla with a budget that is less than Arsenal's, but was just OK at PSG, with a budget bigger than ours. He's won stuff and he's managed some of the biggest egos in sport. Ozil should be a walk in the park after Neymar.
Let's hope the board gets everything settled soon so the new man (whoever it is) can staff up. This must mean that Pep gets his wish and he keeps Mikel by his side. I hope the latter does not feel as though a rug has been yanked from under him. I suspect that those rumors about his appointment being a done deal were not from anyone reliable, and Arteta was not counting on anything.
...
Speaking of rug yanking, as a Roma fan, I had a ball watching Inter snatch the last Champions' League slot from Lazio in the final 15 minutes of their game. (It was extra delicious that it was in Rome.) The fascists needed only a draw and were up 2-1 in the 75th minute, but a penalty allowed the nerazzuri to draw even. The next minute, a stupid sliding tackle as far from either goal as you can get earned one of the biancaceleste a second yellow, and a couple minutes after that, a corner produced the winning header for Inter.
...
In the epic battle between Alexis and Giroud for the FA Cup, the HFB prevailed in what turned (in the second half) into a pretty exciting game. Hazard lost his marker (Herrera) and induced the luckless Phil Jones to foul him as he bore down on the world's best goalkeeper. Hazard may have been a slight favorite to beat DeGea close in from a tight angle, but he was a big favorite to beat him from the spot, which he did. Chelsea played with 10 or 11 behind the ball after that, but things did open up in the second half and both teams had good opportunities. Giroud had a decent game, Sanchez a poor one (though his very good set piece deliveries deserved better from his teammates). Mourinho was sad, so I was happy. plus, we still have the most FA Cup wins, 13 to United's 12 (Spuds and Chavs have 8 each, I believe).
Monday, May 21, 2018
Friday, May 18, 2018
Arteta Out!
Just practicing.
Actually, I like this move. We always knew Mikel was a leader and had a fine football brain. He's steeped in the Barca-Arsenal-Guardiola ethos. I've read that he wasn't the most popular figure in the Arsenal dressing room, and I don't mind that at all. He won't be a pal anymore, he'll be the boss. I hear he's looking to hire Santi, so he's got a good cop on the staff. There won't be a lot of money to spend on new players; Arteta will have to get the most out of the guys on hand, which he's as likely to be able to do as any, having played with most of them.
Bellerin may be more inclined to want to stay, now that a fellow Spaniard is in charge. The big question is Ramsey, who's out of contract a year from now. They need to resign him. I'd like Jack to stay, but if he doesn't, that's not as big a loss. The attack is already quite potent; where we flopped this season was on defense. There were too many mistakes (Cech and Mustafi were especially guilty) and we weren't prepared and organized properly. After Szczesny's comments about our goalkeeping coaching, I'm not sorry to see changes there. We do need a new #1 (I thought the Pole was fine, and frankly even countryman Fabianski would be an upgrade at this point), but I doubt we'd attract Oblak or the equivalent. We're already working on acquiring a center half, if you believe the rumors, and I still like Chambers and Holding. Mavropanos could be an option in a year or two. I have not given up on Mustafi--he may need a kick in the rear and some instruction. Nacho has at least another year in him. Maybe Kolasinac will become that guy he was in his first few games.
We're not hopeless in midfield by a long shot. Maitland-Niles is just about ready to contribute on a regular basis, Aaron is excellent, Xhaka was in good form the second half of the season, Elneny is reliable, Ozil could be on the cusp of greatness now that he's got Auba to assist. The wings could use spicing up, if Mikhi isn't going to regain form.
Welbeck may be surplus to requirements, but I really like him as an insurance policy. Laca and Auba are magnificent. Iwobi needs to have a breakout year.
Anyway, I'm giving Mikel the benefit of the doubt, and I hope other supporters do too. We'll know in a year if we're making progress under the new man.
Actually, I like this move. We always knew Mikel was a leader and had a fine football brain. He's steeped in the Barca-Arsenal-Guardiola ethos. I've read that he wasn't the most popular figure in the Arsenal dressing room, and I don't mind that at all. He won't be a pal anymore, he'll be the boss. I hear he's looking to hire Santi, so he's got a good cop on the staff. There won't be a lot of money to spend on new players; Arteta will have to get the most out of the guys on hand, which he's as likely to be able to do as any, having played with most of them.
Bellerin may be more inclined to want to stay, now that a fellow Spaniard is in charge. The big question is Ramsey, who's out of contract a year from now. They need to resign him. I'd like Jack to stay, but if he doesn't, that's not as big a loss. The attack is already quite potent; where we flopped this season was on defense. There were too many mistakes (Cech and Mustafi were especially guilty) and we weren't prepared and organized properly. After Szczesny's comments about our goalkeeping coaching, I'm not sorry to see changes there. We do need a new #1 (I thought the Pole was fine, and frankly even countryman Fabianski would be an upgrade at this point), but I doubt we'd attract Oblak or the equivalent. We're already working on acquiring a center half, if you believe the rumors, and I still like Chambers and Holding. Mavropanos could be an option in a year or two. I have not given up on Mustafi--he may need a kick in the rear and some instruction. Nacho has at least another year in him. Maybe Kolasinac will become that guy he was in his first few games.
We're not hopeless in midfield by a long shot. Maitland-Niles is just about ready to contribute on a regular basis, Aaron is excellent, Xhaka was in good form the second half of the season, Elneny is reliable, Ozil could be on the cusp of greatness now that he's got Auba to assist. The wings could use spicing up, if Mikhi isn't going to regain form.
Welbeck may be surplus to requirements, but I really like him as an insurance policy. Laca and Auba are magnificent. Iwobi needs to have a breakout year.
Anyway, I'm giving Mikel the benefit of the doubt, and I hope other supporters do too. We'll know in a year if we're making progress under the new man.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Huddersfield 0 - 1 Arsenal ...and More!
Odd game. We were outplayed much of the time but we looked the more dangerous side. Fair result, I think. Credit to Huddersfield; they seemed more switched on than our guys. Props to Ospina, who took a lickin' and kept on tickin'. My player of the game. Neither side had anything much to play for. The home fans planned a tribute (22nd minute, natch) to our departing boss, who appreciated it a lot. We broke the away game curse in 2018, finally.
It speaks to how much class Wenger has that while most Arsenal supporters wanted him to leave, they all respect the hell out of him and were grateful for the good years and the trophies. He recognizes that his legacy isn't just in the stadium and the trophy case, but in the human interactions that the Arsenal way has fostered. That's something I hope we build on, rather than tear down; it can happen quickly under a manager like Mourinho. Wenger never blamed the players, even when they screwed up. He kept faith with them, healthy or injured, in form and out, and even after they left the club. Real class.
...
Serie A worked out as I hoped, with Juventus winning the double again and Roma qualifying for Champions' League, with the inside track on 3rd place and direct entry into the group stage. Fiorentina, unfortunately, is out of Europe.
Adopted team Notts County drew 1-1 at Coventry in the first leg of the promotion semi from League 2. Fingers crossed.
I've always admired Wayne Rooney, but I hope he doesn't come to DC United. It's too much money, and I want to see them try to improve the old fashioned way.
It speaks to how much class Wenger has that while most Arsenal supporters wanted him to leave, they all respect the hell out of him and were grateful for the good years and the trophies. He recognizes that his legacy isn't just in the stadium and the trophy case, but in the human interactions that the Arsenal way has fostered. That's something I hope we build on, rather than tear down; it can happen quickly under a manager like Mourinho. Wenger never blamed the players, even when they screwed up. He kept faith with them, healthy or injured, in form and out, and even after they left the club. Real class.
...
Serie A worked out as I hoped, with Juventus winning the double again and Roma qualifying for Champions' League, with the inside track on 3rd place and direct entry into the group stage. Fiorentina, unfortunately, is out of Europe.
Adopted team Notts County drew 1-1 at Coventry in the first leg of the promotion semi from League 2. Fingers crossed.
I've always admired Wayne Rooney, but I hope he doesn't come to DC United. It's too much money, and I want to see them try to improve the old fashioned way.
Monday, May 7, 2018
Arsenal 5 - 0 Burnley
Burnley were abject, and Arsenal scored five lovely goals (it could have been eight) to send Arsene Wenger off in style. Every Gunner had a good game. In addition to his other virtues, it seems Xhaka is made of the same iron as Giroud (who was once again the hero for Chelsea, scoring the only goal in the Liverpool game). Opponents bounce off him and are the worse for it, whether or not they initiate the contact. Auba and Lacazette both scored and looked commanding. Our fullbacks got into the act with a goal (Kolasinac) and two assists (Bellerin). I was happy to see Iwobi finish a great chance perfectly.
Arsene's sendoff was sublime. Seeing him standing in the center circle alone with the full stadium roaring was emotional.
Arsene's sendoff was sublime. Seeing him standing in the center circle alone with the full stadium roaring was emotional.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Arsenal (2-1 aggregate)
I figured we'd need two goals today, but we didn't even get close to scoring. In truth, our opponents might have had three goals but for some last ditch defending. Our offensive sequences produced some quarter-chances at most. Mkhitaryan's blast over the bar (Oblak had it covered) may have been our highlight.
First, what a tragic sight to see Kos writhing on the ground with what looks like a career-ending achilles injury. Accordionists around the world are in mourning. Chambers was very good, I thought, so it may not have made a difference in the game. Our problem was an inability to break Atletico down. Once again, Oblak didn't have to do anything special; his defenders did just enough to snuff out our promising incursions into the 18 yard box.
My comments on the players:
Ospina looked shaky at times but he did what was expected of him. He's not at fault for the goal.
Bellerin was at fault for the goal, and it was an awful defensive lapse. Otherwise, I thought he was fine.
Poor Kos. Chambers was very good.
Mustafi did not convince me, but he was good enough.
Monreal should have done better with his crosses. But he gets a good grade from me overall.
Xhaka was fine. Jack had a good game. Aaron was very good.
Ozil was the big disappointment. He needed to come up big and he was pretty poor.
Welbeck was good. Lacazette played his heart out and I thought he was excellent.
Mikhi didn't look 100%. We can only wonder what could have happened had he been fit enough for 90 minutes.
This game confirmed what we all knew: Atletico is the better team. We gave it our best, and I was proud of the guys as they progressed through the Europa League, but we weren't good enough.
First, what a tragic sight to see Kos writhing on the ground with what looks like a career-ending achilles injury. Accordionists around the world are in mourning. Chambers was very good, I thought, so it may not have made a difference in the game. Our problem was an inability to break Atletico down. Once again, Oblak didn't have to do anything special; his defenders did just enough to snuff out our promising incursions into the 18 yard box.
My comments on the players:
Ospina looked shaky at times but he did what was expected of him. He's not at fault for the goal.
Bellerin was at fault for the goal, and it was an awful defensive lapse. Otherwise, I thought he was fine.
Poor Kos. Chambers was very good.
Mustafi did not convince me, but he was good enough.
Monreal should have done better with his crosses. But he gets a good grade from me overall.
Xhaka was fine. Jack had a good game. Aaron was very good.
Ozil was the big disappointment. He needed to come up big and he was pretty poor.
Welbeck was good. Lacazette played his heart out and I thought he was excellent.
Mikhi didn't look 100%. We can only wonder what could have happened had he been fit enough for 90 minutes.
This game confirmed what we all knew: Atletico is the better team. We gave it our best, and I was proud of the guys as they progressed through the Europa League, but we weren't good enough.
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