17 Feb 2020 02:19:07
Great to see us win a match 4-0. It seems ages since we won by four goals in a league match. I thought Saka was outstanding, we must tie him down to a longer contract, as soon as possible.

Looking forward to Thursday, with 2 more matches this week, it is essential to utilise the squad.
Thoughts on Arteta's policy of selecting players that impress in training?


1.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 08:33:36
It's creating a work ethic that we've not known for years so yes I think it's brilliant.
Obviously it was brilliant to see all the players so happy for Lacca when he scored but a huge shout out for Mustafi on that score, it was brilliant time see a player who has had his own struggles with form show so much genuine support for a team mate.


2.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 14:22:18
Spot on g62. Mustafi will always have mistakes in his locker, he'll never be a world beater, but have to say he's certainly looked better than ever has done for us (not hard I know) but have to credit where credit due.


3.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 14:26:38
Rg, I'm all for picking players that "show up" in training with performance and attitude rather than select players that get by on reputation. We seem to of had cosy squad attitude for too long, so I back arteta on this.


4.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 15:17:49
100% Ramsgate mate, in the training the whole 26 man squad has an opportunity to impress the manager each and every day, if your out of favour or been in poor form the training ground is a great place to audition for a place in 18 if not the starting 11 and if the manager is prepared to consider your training ground performances when selecting his team sheet it's got to be a huge incentive to both train hard and well.


5.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 17:03:24
It’s seems a really clever way to improve players attitude and effort. The teams fitness and attitude has changed beyond recognition. Towards the end of the 2nd half yesterday we turned up a gear and Newcastle couldn’t cope. All the players are improving. Hopefully, we can now go on a decent run of wins. Pepe showed glimpses of what we can expect for the fee we paid.


6.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 18:39:08
Newcastle were resolute oppents yesterday and we were cautious of not going gun ho as we so often have in the past and getting picked off on the break, the first half hour was a snore draw with Newcastle being the more likely scorers but we got away with the couple of opportunities we conceded which is a huge improvement on the glut of opportunities we used to regularly conceded in virtually every game 100% relying on opponents poor finishing as our only real defensive plan.
Yup we are a long long way from good enough to be considered anything like top club challengers again but in my opinion Artetta has stopped us heading in the wrong direction and we are at least facing the right way again.


7.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 20:09:48
I agree that you need to put it in during training but you also have to put it in while on the pitch and under pressure in match situations. I’m sure Matteo doesn’t give the ball away as much in training, a Mustafi makes simple 0yard passes, Bellerin doesn’t fall asleep and Granit look like he’s about to give a foul away every 3 minutes. He was so lucky not to give a penalty away in first 5 minutes and was booked for a ridiculous shirt grab for no reason 3 minutes later to pick up a yellow with over 80 minutes to play. Difficult if you’re brain works slower than your arm or trailing leg. the difference between him dictating the tempo Vs Ozil or him Receiving a pass Vs Ozil receiving a pass ( already balanced and on the half turn to give him extra seconds ) is just crazy.

So I agree - you must turn up and put it in but performances in a real live pressure environment is what earns the shirt. Sorry, I can’t fully agree.


8.) 17 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 21:19:18
It's a fair point SY, it's no good being brilliant in training and awful on a match day but equally it's not the sign of a top professional who turns it in games but is late for or is a lazy trainer, it's all about doing both in my opinion.
In training you earn the opportunity then it's up to you to make yourself undroppable by taking that opportunity with both feet head and heart.
Poldolski would never have got on the pitch under Arteta :-) the was and still is last I heard Arsenal through and through but if the ball never came directly to him he wasn't arsed to chase after it, lethal shot but laziest player ever and used to drive me nuts seeing him walk everywhere.