10 Jan 2021 08:14:18
Very nervy performance last night but a win is a win, very disappointed with Pepe, Willian and Willock. Wouldn't be disappointed to see them all go ASAP. Also what do people think of Nelson?
ESR and Saka are mustard. Game changers and they need to be starting way more often. Also a shout out to Mari who has been sublime so far, very calm and composed on the ball., KT is quality and i want him to have that armband soon.
Also a massive shame Balogun wasn't even on the bench, seems to be the end for him at Arsenal. With Willian being a terrible footballer and Auba out of form, I would have though Flo could have had a shot upfront, such a shame.
10 Jan 2021 10:04:52
I didn’t think Pepe did too bad last night, beat his man more than a few times, played some decent balls into the box, and had a few chances himself.
On another day he could of had a few goals and assists. Definitely looked like a player looking to fight for his place. However Willian just looks like he doesn’t want to cheat on Chelsea, think he forgets who is paying his wages.
He needs selling in the summer, and at his performances i'd take about £1m for him.
{Ed047's Note - I’d just give him away, a ridiculous signing, his free kicks are even garbage.
10 Jan 2021 10:18:06
What a huge and terrible mistake to sign Willian. Doesn't do anything in matches and takes the place of another player who would be there at least doing something. Unfortunately I think we're stuck with him, approaching the end of his career on a long and very lucrative contract. Did we learn nothing from Ozil?
I want it to work for Pepe but it doesn't take this long to settle into a new league. Would have expected to see far more from him by now.
Willock doesn't do anything for me. I fail to see what he offers as well. I don't get the fuss around AMN either to be honest.
Sake and ESR, as you say, look the real deal and we should concentrate on tying them both down for the foreseeable.
Balogun - if he won't sign a contract get shot. We are still Arsenal, a massive club. Yes, we have underachieved for a good while now but players should be chomping at the bit for the opportunity to play for the club.
{Ed047's Note - agree with all of that, Balogun’s agent has an opportunity to make money from him signing elsewhere so that’s what it seems he’s endeavouring to do.
10 Jan 2021 10:22:35
Just make him dress up as gunnersaurus he’ll have more impact doing that 🦖.
{Ed047's Note - he’d probably still mess that up!
10 Jan 2021 10:35:44
That’s the issue with agents more than their fees - they encourage movement to generate their income. If we aren’t winning or playing that well on a consistent basis or they don’t feel part of the foundations - the agent has a lot of pull. Our counter is to offer more wages or long contracts but the reality is those players don’t have too many options eg Ozil
Our biggest defence is happy environment, good football and competing for trophies - until then we will have kids, people over the hill or unhealthy contracts
Over simplified things a bit but that’s my thoughts.
{Ed047's Note - he does appear happy enough and Arteta says he wants to stay but agents are agents and making money for themselves is part of what they do.
If Balogan resigns the fee will no doubt be a pittance to the fee he’ll get if Balogun goes.
Shame but that’s life. 🤷â€â™‚ï¸
10 Jan 2021 10:40:38
Think Pepe did a little better but when it comes to the final decision or final pass - he fails more times than not. Look at the quality of his crosses Vs Tierney. Pointless getting into those positions if it does convert to a good chance. Not writing him off as we are in to deep I think but still a long way to go and a poor signing.
Forget the stupid fee - would anyone actually sign him again?
Has he improved - yes but from a very very low start. Can’t believe we didn’t sign Zaha.
Interesting to see Emery wanted Zaha, Partey etc etc but club went elsewhere.
10 Jan 2021 11:07:28
I have to say Willock made Xhaka look world class when he came on to replace him, that’s how poor Willock is. He needs to be moved on. An absolute travesty that he remains at the club yet Rene-Adelaide was let go. Also Cedric, easy to see why Southampton released him, shouldn’t be playing on Hackney marshes let alone the premiership. AMN should leave, as whether he is good enough or not, to sit and watch Cedric play ahead of him must be disheartening. I think a goldfish would pass more actuately. Smith Rowe shows the entire team how easy the game can be when you pass and move. Time and again he passed and drove into space behind the defence. Whether he gets the ball back or not, suddenly the defence has a problem to deal with, and it gives others more space. Even Xhaka looked better as he was getting space much closer to Newcastle’s penalty area, not in his own half. Another shout out to Elneny. Is he world class, no, but does he run his socks off to allow others to do their job better, yes 100%.
10 Jan 2021 13:09:13
I think Willock needs a loan to get some game time and build up his confidence. I would integrate Reiss Nelson. With AMN I'm a bit stuck - I love to see him on the pitch but he's not getting many starts for some reason, whether it be Mikel doesn't see him in his preferred position or he always sees him as second choice. I don't think he will stay around too long because of this.
Willian is an enigma. I loved him at Chelsea but he looks so sad now. I think he should be given the option to leave and he must be prepared to take a big wage cut to be happy somewhere else.
Pepe - it seems every club knows to put 3 players on him every time he has the ball. He's not physically strong enough to fend them off and perhaps the PL is not for him.
To end, I doubt any of this will happen 😄.
10 Jan 2021 14:27:10
I think you may be right Sally about Pepe, but most importantly he may need to change his game. Instead of trying to always beat his man with trickery he should use up the space more to get by him. A bit of finesse on his finishing instead of power may bring better results. He’s rubbish off the ball, pity he didn’t get a transitional season playing with the youth team he probably would have a better understanding of the game.
Reiss is either really not up to it or he has an inferior complex or something. He seems not to cut it whether playing on the left or right.
ESR - I hope he does well against the bigger teams who will try to knock him off the ball and block his runs. I felt for him when he was shown the red card with not even his captain or any senior players being there for him when he looked like he was going to have a breakdown.
11 Jan 2021 09:01:38
Would that be captain PEA? That’s another reason why that armband should be nowhere near him.