Arsenal 2018/19

[NieThePiet]

Two points off the top.

 

[adexkola]

Two points off the top.

They've conceded 10 goals this season already. Still early days but they'll have to shore things up at the back to keep pace with the top teams.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Emery's doing alright to be fair. Fans must be happy with how its going so far - far from perfect, still a lot of problems but exciting football, goals and most importantly, points on the board.

 

[FootballHQ]

They've conceded 10 goals this season already. Still early days but they'll have to shore things up at the back to keep pace with the top teams.

5 were against Man. City and Chelsea so 5 goals in the other six games isn't too bad although Cech kept them in a few and they can be cut open as Fulham did for their goal.

Think work in progress is the best summing up for them although better to do that in the top 4 rather than 8th or 9th and having flak coming from everywhere.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Just seen the goals from their game and What a difference it makes having clinical strikers up front or just one even.

All I could think of is Lukaku isn’t capable of scoring the goals that lacazette and aubemyang scored today.

 

[wub1234]

I thought for years that Aubameyang was the perfect fit for Arsenal. If they'd had Aubameyang the year that Leicester won the league instead of Giroud / Welbeck / Walcott, I'm sure they would have won it.

To improve from where there were is not hard, as morale was so low and the atmosphere at the club so poisonous that they were bound to improve. What they will find much harder (as Spurs have) is going from being a good top four side, to being a major contender for the biggest trophies.

 

[JSArsenal]

I thought for years that Aubameyang was the perfect fit for Arsenal. If they'd had Aubameyang the year that Leicester won the league instead of Giroud / Welbeck / Walcott, I'm sure they would have won it.

To improve from where there were is not hard, as morale was so low and the atmosphere at the club so poisonous that they were bound to improve. What they will find much harder (as Spurs have) is going from being a good top four side, to being a major contender for the biggest trophies.

I just cringed at that last sentence. Are we really being compared to Spurs? In a way that makes it seem like ................

Lets not forget that Spurs have a long, storied history of failure. We have contended for and won the biggest trophies since the turn of the century. Arsenal know what its like to compete, it has been a few years but we know.

For Arsenal, competing for the biggest trophies was and should be the norm. For Spurs its something they haven't done in half a century and completely alien to almost everyone at the club

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

I just cringed at that last sentence. Are we really being compared to Spurs? In a way that makes it seem like ................

Lets not forget that Spurs have a long, storied history of failure. We have contended for and won the biggest trophies since the turn of the century. Arsenal know what its like to compete, it has been a few years but we know.

For Arsenal, competing for the biggest trophies was and should be the norm. For Spurs its something they haven't done in half a century and completely alien to almost everyone at the club

Totally and utterly irrelevant to your current squad.

You had better players when you had a 'long history of competing', there's nothing about Arsenal now that knows how to compete. This bollocks about it being in the clubs DNA to win trophies etc is just that, bollocks. Winning wasn't in City or Chelsea's DNA till they massively improved the quality of the players, winning isn't currently in this group of United or Arsenal players DNA because they aren't as good as the ones who built that reputation.

You'll start winning again when/if you spend the money needed to get there. Just like we would start winning if we bought a bunch of world class players.

 

[JSArsenal]

Totally and utterly irrelevant to your current squad.

You had better players when you had a 'long history of competing', there's nothing about Arsenal now that knows how to compete. This bollocks about it being in the clubs DNA to win trophies etc is just that, bollocks. Winning wasn't in City or Chelsea's DNA till they massively improved the quality of the players, winning isn't currently in this group of United or Arsenal players DNA because they aren't as good as the ones who built that reputation.

You'll start winning again when/if you spend the money needed to get there. Just like we would start winning if we bought a bunch of world class players.

You misunderstand me and I don't blame you because I didn't explain myself properly.

Imagine the reaction on here if I made a post that goes something like this: "United will have to learn (like City have) that it isn't easy to win a Champions League semi-final." The basis of that kind of comment would be that City have made the semis twice in recent seasons while United have either been in the Europa League or been knocked out early.

I'm sure (some) United fans would find that kind of comment a bit patronizing/insulting because United have of course been to semi-finals not only won them but won the European Cup itself, on three occasions.

So I just take umbrage with the idea that we have anything to learn from Spurs of all clubs about how difficult it is to win trophies. There is nothing that Spurs can teach us on that front, that we haven't already experienced. At our lowest point in 20 plus years, we have still managed to pick up three FA Cups.

I agree quality is far more important than any vague references to DNA. But when I at least think of DNA, its the mentality of the entire club, not any one group of players. Where trophies are demanded and expected. I don't think we were particularly good when we won our last two FA cups but we got over the line because its expected.

I think Madrid were average last season but they still won the CL because that is what they do. They win the biggest trophies because for lack of a better phrase, "its in their DNA to do so".

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

You misunderstand me and I don't blame you because I didn't explain myself properly.

Imagine the reaction on here if I made a post that goes something like this: "United will have to learn (like City have) that it isn't easy to win a Champions League semi-final." The basis of that kind of comment would be that City have made the semis twice in recent seasons while United have either been in the Europa League or been knocked out early.

I'm sure (some) United fans would find that kind of comment a bit patronizing/insulting because United have of course been to semi-finals not only won them but won the European Cup itself, on three occasions.

So I just take umbrage with the idea that we have anything to learn from Spurs of all clubs about how difficult it is to win trophies. There is nothing that Spurs can teach us on that front, that we haven't already experienced. At our lowest point in 20 plus years, we have still managed to pick up three FA Cups.

I agree quality is far more important than any vague references to DNA. But when I at least think of DNA, its the mentality of the entire club, not any one group of players. Where trophies are demanded and expected. I don't think we were particularly good when we won our last two FA cups but we got over the line because its expected.

I think Madrid were average last season but they still won the CL because that is what they do. They win the biggest trophies because for lack of a better phrase, "its in their DNA to do so".

I agree with this, and of course you have little to learn from us when it comes to winning trophies. I think the point that poster was making though was simply that like us, you may find that Emery reaches a ceiling with the current squad (as we arguably have) and that without serious investment, competing for the top four may be the limit. It's more a case of learning from our mistakes rather than our successes, really.

I think Arsenal have been a solid cup team in recent years (as the FA cup and a decent EL run last year showed) but I'm not sure how much that is to do with a 'winning mentality'. That certainly didn't show on the seriously big PL/CL occasions, I think maybe it's even arguable that the pressure was less in the FA cup and some of your more fairweather players flourished and felt confident in the competition.

Madrid were average in the league but clearly CL specialists, not because of DNA (they have had dry spells of their own) but because despite their domestic struggles, the team still has incredible quality .. Modric, Ronaldo, Kroos, Sergio Ramos etc .. winners throughout the spine of the team, and in those big matches they are so experienced.

I think perhaps players get a little boost from knowing the history of the team they play for, but I do think it's pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Giants with winning in their DNA fall all the time (Liverpool, A.C Milan) when the club experiences a drop in the quality of their players.

 

[Ooh2B]

You misunderstand me and I don't blame you because I didn't explain myself properly.

Imagine the reaction on here if I made a post that goes something like this: "United will have to learn (like City have) that it isn't easy to win a Champions League semi-final." The basis of that kind of comment would be that City have made the semis twice in recent seasons while United have either been in the Europa League or been knocked out early.

I'm sure (some) United fans would find that kind of comment a bit patronizing/insulting because United have of course been to semi-finals not only won them but won the European Cup itself, on three occasions.

So I just take umbrage with the idea that we have anything to learn from Spurs of all clubs about how difficult it is to win trophies. There is nothing that Spurs can teach us on that front, that we haven't already experienced. At our lowest point in 20 plus years, we have still managed to pick up three FA Cups.

I agree quality is far more important than any vague references to DNA. But when I at least think of DNA, its the mentality of the entire club, not any one group of players. Where trophies are demanded and expected. I don't think we were particularly good when we won our last two FA cups but we got over the line because its expected.

I think Madrid were average last season but they still won the CL because that is what they do. They win the biggest trophies because for lack of a better phrase, "its in their DNA to do so".

I felt the same when I read that other post. As much as I realise we’ve slipped over the last 5 years or so, it’s not as if it’s a new concept for the club to be considered in the mix for honours to the extent that no one has any idea how to go about it.

Not saying we’ll actually go on to do anything without major player (Defence) investment, but with the amount of ex players and coaches hanging around who’ve actually won leagues and been to major finals, it’s a bit easier to say it’s in our “DNA” simply because we have living breathing champions (legends) hanging round the place which in and of itself should be a catalyst for younger players to aspire to acheiving the same goals. It might sound like a load of old bollox, but it’s a psychological edge I’m happy to utilize.

Success begets success. But a shed load of money helps..

 

[JSArsenal]

I agree with this, and of course you have little to learn from us when it comes to winning trophies. I think the point that poster was making though was simply that like us, you may find that Emery reaches a ceiling with the current squad (as we arguably have) and that without serious investment, competing for the top four may be the limit. It's more a case of learning from our mistakes rather than our successes, really.

I think Arsenal have been a solid cup team in recent years (as the FA cup and a decent EL run last year showed) but I'm not sure how much that is to do with a 'winning mentality'. That certainly didn't show on the seriously big PL/CL occasions, I think maybe it's even arguable that the pressure was less in the FA cup and some of your more fairweather players flourished and felt confident in the competition.

Madrid were average in the league but clearly CL specialists, not because of DNA (they have had dry spells of their own) but because despite their domestic struggles, the team still has incredible quality .. Modric, Ronaldo, Kroos, Sergio Ramos etc .. winners throughout the spine of the team, and in those big matches they are so experienced.

I think perhaps players get a little boost from knowing the history of the team they play for, but I do think it's pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Giants with winning in their DNA fall all the time (Liverpool, A.C Milan) when the club experiences a drop in the quality of their players.

I think the poster also missed or forgot that we used to be a top 4 team competing for the biggest trophies up until a few years ago. Remember Leicester's title win? We collapsed that season but at one stage in February, we were 1 point behind them after we beat them at home (I think it was one point). So I would think we don't have to learn from any other club about how difficult it is to go from competing for the top 4 to winning the league. We have been there, so many times. We have to learn from our own mistakes such as refusing to invest in the squad, as you mentioned when we're close to building something special.

We had more pressure on us than ever before during those FA cup runs. Remember all the furore over the trophy-less years? That was like a noose around the entire club's neck. We also went 2-0 down in the 2014 final. To 2002 Arsenal, the FA cup was no pressure, to 2014 Arsenal the FA cup meant everything. After the first one, the team just knew what it took to win the FA cup and did so on two more occasions. To me, that is a winning mentality, knowing what is required and doing it. We couldn't replicate that in the league or Champions League because we just weren't good enough

Madrid have had dry spells but they have also won the CL more than anyone else. I think that, along with the quality of their team, with the latter being far more influential, matters.

I agree on Liverpool and AC Milan but I still think that a club's DNA and mentality plays a part in success. Of course that mentality can be bought and created because no club starts off with a winning mentality but it is still needed. Man Utd have one, Man City are building one and I don't think Spurs are there yet.

 

[PedroMendez]

I thought for years that Aubameyang was the perfect fit for Arsenal. If they'd had Aubameyang the year that Leicester won the league instead of Giroud / Welbeck / Walcott, I'm sure they would have won it.

To improve from where there were is not hard, as morale was so low and the atmosphere at the club so poisonous that they were bound to improve. What they will find much harder (as Spurs have) is going from being a good top four side, to being a major contender for the biggest trophies.

these things go constantly wrong and its not a given at all, that they do as well as they do...

Arsenal's squad is not great at all. Players like Iwobi, Welbeck, Micky, Xhaka, Bellerin, Ramsey & Co are not consistent top performers. What they have going for them is, that they have two top strikers (and two good GKs), but we saw in the past, that Wenger really struggled to get the best out of Lacazette. Its quite surprising that Lacazette and Auba both fit into the team and play well.
They have the 6th best squad in the league and lost their legendary long-term manager. Nothing is a given under these circumstances. They picked up more points than most would have expected with mixed performances. They are very much work in progress, but there are positive signs. The team looks more balanced and individually many players are improving. Its very early to judge Emery, but so far he is doing a great job.

 

[golden_blunder]

My brother lives in Atlanta and supports their MLS team. He’s been banging on about this kid arsenal are signing for ages. Does look good but can he adjust to the pace

 

[cesc's_mullet]

My brother lives in Atlanta and supports their MLS team. He’s been banging on about this kid arsenal are signing for ages. Does look good but can he adjust to the pace

Who is that?

 

[Needham]

They'll be this season's rasta blasters but no coke come May.

 

[golden_blunder]

Who is that?

Miguel Almiron

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Miguel Almiron

24 year old coming from the MLS, I'm sceptical. However Sven has a great track record with his signings so there is that at least.

 

[golden_blunder]

24 year old coming from the MLS, I'm sceptical. However Sven has a great track record with his signings so there is that at least.

I’m skeptical too but he bro bangs on about him all the time. We’ll see, he could be a bargain or another failed punt on a young un

 

[Orc]

So, have they been very impressive during this winning run of theirs? From what little I've been hearing, up until yesterday they'd been winning while not really playing particularly well.

Not really hearing them mentioned at all in the top 4 race for some reason. As a Chelsea fan I'm quite jealous that they've got both Lacazette and Auba who can each score 20 goals.

 

[JSArsenal]

So, have they been very impressive during this winning run of theirs? From what little I've been hearing, up until yesterday they'd been winning while not really playing particularly well.

Not really hearing them mentioned at all in the top 4 race for some reason. As a Chelsea fan I'm quite jealous that they've got both Lacazette and Auba who can each score 20 goals.

No, we have been giving up too many chances during our run. Fulham was the exception not the rule. Most Arsenal fans think that we are going to be punished sooner rater than later if our performances keep being below par.

Why would you be jealous? We sold Giroud to Chelsea, the most underrated, under-appreciated striker in world football.

 

[awop]

We are not playing very well but every game we manage to click for 10/20mn and take the game away.We need to keep taking the points because these performances won't be anywhere near enough against Liverpool and the rest of the top 5.
Never heard of that Almiron dude but at 15M he's worth a try considering our wide options...

 

[Orc]

No, we have been giving up too many chances during our run. Fulham was the exception not the rule. Most Arsenal fans think that we are going to be punished sooner rater than later if our performances keep being below par.

Why would you be jealous? We sold Giroud to Chelsea, the most underrated, under-appreciated striker in world football.

Giroud is the perfect rotation option and works excellently with Hazard. But a strikers main objective is to score goals which Giroud isn't doing. If we had a top class forward to go along with him we'd be title contenders. If Lacazette or Auba for example was our #9 I think we'd be up there with the best in Europe.

 

[Bubz27]

Arsenal have signed a deal with Adidas for next season. £60m or £65m a year I've seen.

 

[Penycwm]

Ramsey's goal of the season for October ?

 

[cesc's_mullet]

the Ramsey goal:

 

[Treble]

Giroud is the perfect rotation option and works excellently with Hazard. But a strikers main objective is to score goals which Giroud isn't doing. If we had a top class forward to go along with him we'd be title contenders. If Lacazette or Auba for example was our #9 I think we'd be up there with the best in Europe.

Your defence concedes many chances though. Arsenal and Liverpool created probably 4-5 clear chances each which is bad. Midfield and attack + a new top striker would be among the best in Europe but I find your defence suspect.

Arsenal can't compete for the title but top 4 is a possibility.

 

[Klopper76]

Thought they were second best in a couple of games at home up until when they made the break through (Everton, Watford and West Ham). They aren't good enough for the title this year but I think they'll be in the mix for top four.

Emery might fancy his chances at winning the Europa League as well.

 

[charlenefan]

the Ramsey goal:

Fecking outrageous that. Goal of the Season done

 

[tomaldinho1]

We should have gone in for Auba, he'd be excellent and actually give us some penetration through the middle + is quick enough to get away from CBs.

This always brings us back to the question of what on earth our recruitment policy has been. Think of the last 5 years, the amount of good players entering the PL and not coming to us is damning. I know it's hindsight and all that but something's up.

 

[charlenefan]

We should have gone in for Auba, he'd be excellent and actually give us some penetration through the middle + is quick enough to get away from CBs.

This always brings us back to the question of what on earth our recruitment policy has been. Think of the last 5 years, the amount of good players entering the PL and not coming to us is damning. I know it's hindsight and all that but something's up.

There's a lot of players with hindsight we should have bought... Aubameyang aint one of them though

 

[tomaldinho1]

There's a lot of players with hindsight we should have bought... Aubameyang aint one of them though

You don't think he'd improve our current XI?

 

[charlenefan]

You don't think he'd improve our current XI?

I dont think he's improved Arsenals let alone ours

 

[tomaldinho1]

I dont think he's improved Arsenals let alone ours

I feel you might be beyond saving if you don't think he'd improve our line up. Feel he'd comfortably walk into our team.

 

[charlenefan]

I feel you might be beyond saving if you don't think he'd improve our line up. Feel he'd comfortably walk into our team.

I feel you need to watch him play before you go making stupid statements. He's not even the best CF at Arsenal and I wouldn't have that one either

 

[tomaldinho1]

I feel you need to watch him play before you go making stupid statements. He's not even the best CF at Arsenal and I wouldn't have that one either

As I thought, beyond saving.

 

[B20]

I just cringed at that last sentence. Are we really being compared to Spurs? In a way that makes it seem like ................

Lets not forget that Spurs have a long, storied history of failure. We have contended for and won the biggest trophies since the turn of the century. Arsenal know what its like to compete, it has been a few years but we know.

For Arsenal, competing for the biggest trophies was and should be the norm. For Spurs its something they haven't done in half a century and completely alien to almost everyone at the club

I think most consider you below spurs at the moment and didn't really consider you anything more than a dark horse for top 4 qualification.

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

9 wins in a row in all competitions and only 2 points off the top without even being a finished article. Very happy with this.

 

[Grinner]

I think most consider you below spurs at the moment and didn't really consider you anything more than a dark horse for top 4 qualification.

sp*rs are already sp*rsing it though.

 

[lex talionis]

Whether we like it or not, Arsenal are humming along quite nicely and are only two points off the league leaders. Still in fourth, no question, but they're consistently picking up maximum points while playing watchable football. A bit of bad luck they had to face City and Chelsea in the first two league games of the season but it may have been a blessing in disguise.

No, I don't expect Arsenal to lift the EPL trophy but at this point it can't be completely ruled out.