Arsenal Banter 4

20 Apr 2026 07:39:17
{Ed's Note - Greenaway has posted a new article entitled, Chelsea's Bigger Problem Behind the Scenes

19 Apr 2026 22:34:31
The reality is that in the two boxes today was the difference - and that's what decided the game, Arteta said.

Well you should have signed a decent striker 3 seasons ago - not his, not Jesus and not Vik.

Why did you leave your big striker signing on the bench then or take off Eze but leave Ode on?

You signed or didn’t sign the quality required and didn’t sign anyone in Jan.

Did City? Did their summer signing impact their big game today?

Why do you let the players mess around at the back? Why aren’t we more positive? Why don’t we address our weaknesses thru recruitment and tactics?

19 Apr 2026 20:34:57
Well, no surprise really, why was Ode playing, his form has been diabolical yet he starts him.

For me the writing was on the wall after the Wolves game, that was a dreadful result given the way we were in total control.

After the Southampton game for me that was it and City were destined for the treble, I can see City winning the rest of their games this season, they are in full force at the moment.

Can we do the unthinkable and win the CL? I still refuse to rule that out and have maintained that is our best option.

After the way we have been up to Feb we really do deserve something.

So as for Arteta what now? Listening to Ray Parlour I tend to agree (reluctantly) that Arteta will be given another season, if only for the fact: who can replace him? Let's not go down the Man U route.



As for players and Coaching staff, this needs scrutiny, Arteta has to ask has he the right coaches? The set piece coach was getting all the plaudits when it was right, it's gone horribly wrong and we haven't fixed it.

As for players. Many of us said at the start of the season we haven't got the right man up front, we just aren't potent enough, we only scored today because City keeper faffed about, we have to be able to open teams up and stop relying on set piece again la la la.

I am as desperate as any of you on here for us to win something but the options are hanging by the thinnest of threads

Come on Arsenal. One last effing push.

19 Apr 2026 20:58:39
Not quite sure how the Kroenkes will look st it Banbury, mate, but as you say, who is to replace him.
Absolutely in agreement about the CL, they were play we are so much suited for it.
Take care, mate.

20 Apr 2026 07:33:38
"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore."

20 Apr 2026 10:17:03
For a while now, I've felt that this should be Arteta's last season here, regardless of what happens in the rest of the games.

There are different coaches for different jobs. Iraola can improve teams, working with limited resources. Pep can engineer a trophy-winning team when given enough funds.



Arteta got us back to a position from which we can challenge. To me, that's his forte. He awoke a sleeping giant. We don't need that kind of a manager anymore. We need a Pep.

Arteta at Man U would be interesting.

20 Apr 2026 11:44:36
We only have so much money - we've invested a fortune & doubt we recoup anything meaningful. Eg - who will pay anything for Kai or Jesus when their wages are crazy. If we don't start winning - do you think Gabs, Saliba, Rice hang around?

We still haven't got a LW or Striker that we needed last year our signings need to be better quality.

Do we really throw another 250m at Arteta? What's left for the next manager.

You can see the complete lack of winners, leaders and experience at the club on / off the pitch.

Is it a bigger risk sticking & investing in Mikel rather than looking to change. Is he a winner?

19 Apr 2026 19:56:49
I am scratching at straws here. Do you think now the City game is out of the way, in a funny way, the pressure will be off and we can get 5 wins from 5?

19 Apr 2026 20:17:39
I was also thinking on those lines, Bill, mate. I know City will drop points, but the big question is whether we will get 5 wins out of 5. The way we played today, and the pressure now off, maybe we can do it.

19 Apr 2026 20:35:28
Let's hope so, Highbury, mate. 👍👍👍👍👍

19 Apr 2026 19:37:55
We played better than what everybody was hoping we’ll do. Hit the post twice, had a great chance to equalise with Havertz’s header. Fine margins which didn’t turn in our favour.
Can we keep this intensity and win our 5 games? Time will tell but if we don’t win the title this year, I am afraid it will be another long wait for us. COYG!

19 Apr 2026 18:51:27
That was a bugger.

Thought we did better than our recent form and created enough chances to get some points.

Ultimately we scored via an error and lacked quality at that level. Fullbacks aren't good enough, Ode poor, Kai and Vik just aren't top epl strikers.

We also lack tactics and mentality from the coach - less so today but for last dozen or so games. Too afraid to lose doesn't work anymore.

Substitutions were poor.

Poor recruitment. We needed a fullback, LW, creative spark and a proper striker. Spent a fortune and still need the same. That's really poor from a recruitment perspective. Big successful clubs aren't run that way.

Also really lack leadership on and off the pitch. What team wins without ambition and leadership

At least we landed a few blows

We can't even sell Jesus, Kai etc for decent money as in stupid wages. That's poor management also

Let's at least put it in and win our last 5 epl games and make a game of it

Just to be clear - I'm not happy the boss has bottled it again or that we have collapsed. I want to WIN.

19 Apr 2026 19:04:47
I don't think Mosquera was bought as a full back, and once he got booked he seemed to shy away from a challenge. Ben White looks so far off the player he was a few years ago. Just a shame Timber can't keep fit.

19 Apr 2026 18:40:57
The cups and league are just one gigantic dong to us, aren't they.

We always choke!

19 Apr 2026 18:38:46
They seemed to want it more tbh.Played better than I thought we would.Needed better finishing.Need 5 wins and hopefully City will drop points.
Ode was fucking garbage, taking Eze off was a piss take tbh, and why no Max, struggling really struggling to understand how we have got ourselves into this position really am. I think Artetas saving grace is the CL

19 Apr 2026 15:35:16
Strange starting 11.


Raya;
Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie;
Zubimendi, Rice;
Madueke, Odegaard, Eze;
Havertz.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Trossard, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman.

Ode, Eze and Kai?

19 Apr 2026 08:35:48
Only team talk the players need today is to make them realise that they can change 20 years of history in 90 mins! We are more than capable to get something out of the game, just go and do it!

19 Apr 2026 10:04:43
Absolutely on the money, Highbury, mate.
Let's hope we get the result we need.
Take care, mate.

19 Apr 2026 10:35:01
Yep - a Braveheart or Gladiator type speech!

Show them what receiving a guard of honour feels like.

Let's go.

18 Apr 2026 08:38:26
Talk of Timber being fit - that would be a huge result….

Let’s get Kai up front and play some longer balls onto him.

Push Eze up in front of the two midfielders and told can’t drop too deep - pressure their defence.

Raya and the worst culprit Saliba - no rolling ball under your feet. Quick passes and don’t ask for back passes. No stupid short goal kicks.




Timber at Rb.

Martinelli and Noni.

If we get at them and don’t invite pressure onto us in our 1/4 of pitch then who knows as we are good enough.

Let’s go and go in with the Right mindset Boss! Don’t be scared. We have faith if you show faith

Excited for tomorrow If Boss grows a set. If not, I’m hiding behind the sofa.

18 Apr 2026 10:05:44
Make them watch the 89 video. It shows what this match means to the fans! Don't get booked early unnecessarily, Hincapie, and keep Semenyo quiet. Maybe the ref can also tot up fouls by Rodri and Silva for a change.

1-1 draw. COYG.
As much as we'd like to have a go, we will defend for our lives - bit like the bendy bus C£ty parked at ours earlier in the season.

18 Apr 2026 10:16:53
Take a draw, but we can’t bring too much pressure onto ourselves with no outlet - they will kill us. Maybe drop Eze & put Norgaard in there to win midfield, or even go 442. If the boss sets the team up to play for a draw, we will lose 3 nil.

They need to attack us & win. We must have an outlet, play with speed, no sideways nonsense, but press, press, press as if our life depends on it, and we must have an outlet.

18 Apr 2026 10:55:47
I agree, Sy, but won't happen! A draw is a massive result! Norgaard and Zubi in front of the back four, and let Noni, Martinelli, Viktor and Rice counter-attack! It won't be the game we want! Get to half time 0-0.

They have to come out more, then hit them, simples. 🤣🤣 I feel dirty saying it, but we will play for a draw, and if we do we'd better get it! COYG.