Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[dirty2]

Would be sad to see xhaka go... Would wish him all the best... But rice and Caicedo would be crazy

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Feels strange Xhaka doesn't want to stay for a CL season.

 

[dirty2]

Xhaka wife wants to move back to Germany? Assuming that's her homeland?

Edit: she is from Kosovo but she met him when they were both in Germany.

 

[glenferry23]

Arteta has described Martinelli’s ankle injury as “nasty”. Does sound like ligament damage. Hopefully he’s able to be back in time to start the new season.

 

[Crow-eater]

Last time in the black kit tonight. Looking at the leaks for next year, I'm definitely gonna miss it.

 

[dirty2]

Last time in the black kit tonight. Looking at the leaks for next year, I'm definitely gonna miss it.

Love the black Guernsey!!!

 

[glenferry23]

One of the best kits I’ve seen in many years, the main reason I actually bought one this time. Am going to miss watching us play in that. Some great performances in it too, given our away form this season.

 

[undefined]

Please don't let the result ruin your Sunday. The best is yet to come, all.

I'm so proud of this team and this club.

 

[windyhill]

Last two games, I can see Forest winning and then belting Wolves at home.

= easy money.

 

[glenferry23]

A shitty end to a great season.

I think it’s 12 points from the last 9. Ouch.

 

[Cruyff14]

What a disappointing collapse. Still proud, but very disappointing end.

 

[dirty2]

wtf gunners?

Disappointing.

 

[tigs2010]

Hardly a surprise. Nothing to play for other than pride at this point.

 

[charcoalchicken]

Yep they are at the beach, hopefully we can win the last game at home

 

[Planet14]

Despite all of the progress this season, I am still left with the same questions marks around Arteta. I said last season he was a goldilocks manager, everything has to be just right. As great as we performed for large portions of this season, it was due to Arteta being able to consistently implement Plan A. A second consecutive collapse at the pointy end of the season of that back of a couple of injuries indicated little was learned from last season.

 

[Gambit78]

Despit all of the progress this season, I am still left with the same questions marks around Arteta. I said last season he was a goldilocks manager, everything has to be just right. As great as we performed for large portions of this season, it was due to Arteta being able to consistently implement Plan A. A second consecutive collapse at the pointy end of the season of that back of a couple of injuries indicated little was learned from last season.

Is that really the case though? The lessons of last season has meant we finished second. I read somewhere that when we've played our best starting 11, we've won every game. It's not a Plan A and Plan B issue. It's a rotation and second 11 issue.

Viera hasn't made the strides, primarily because he was injured throughout pre-season.

If Smith-Rowe had progressed the way Saka had, then we'd have had a good backup to Odegaard. He didn't.

Saka is our tallest forward. That's an issue when we attack so often from the flanks.

Nelson's development was hampered because Martinelli and Trossard were ahead of him. Yet we had no backup for Saka on the right.

If Xhaka doesn't play well, we have no other #8 to take the role.

Left and right back have been a problem all year.

Our story is no different to every other team chasing ManC. No one comes close to their squad depth. Until teams do, this will be the struggle of the Premier League.

But the youngest squad in the PL has been the best of the rest and made ManC step up a gear to chase us down. Fair play to them.

Here's hoping we make around £100m in player sales and have our usual £200m contribution from Kroenke to really build this squad. Cancelo, Rice, Caicedo and Mount please.

 

[dirty2]

Very important transfer window coming up. Need to both strengthen and get more depth into positions.

 

[Cruyff14]

Eddie isn't good enough either, we need another striker but I don't see that happening.

 

[Planet14]

I read somewhere that when we've played our best starting 11, we've won every game.

But this is the point. When everything is exactly right, Arteta can get them to perform, but the minute a key piece of the puzzle is removed he has no idea how to get the best out of his non-preferred players.

Holding is a perfectly serviceable fourth choice centre back, but he is never going to be a like for like replacement for Saliba because he doesn't have the ability. Rather than change the approach when Saliba and Zinchenko are unavailable, we just flounder. A good coach can get the best out of middle of the road players. Under Arteta, they drag everyone down to their level.

 

[andana]

Martinelli is a huge out but to just give up using that side made us too predictable. Kiwior didn't look comfortable so maybe that was the reasoning.

 

[Gambit78]

But this is the point. When everything is exactly right, Arteta can get them to perform, but the minute a key piece of the puzzle is removed he has no idea how to get the best out of his non-preferred players.

Holding is a perfectly serviceable fourth choice centre back, but he is never going to be a like for like replacement for Saliba because he doesn't have the ability. Rather than change the approach when Saliba and Zinchenko are unavailable, we just flounder. A good coach can get the best out of middle of the road players. Under Arteta, they drag everyone down to their level.

I think that's where this 'process' business comes in. Arteta has a particular way that he wants to play and has asked the club to rebuild the squad to fit his gamestyle. And, so far, so good. Our first 11... maybe first 15, is ideal for what he wants. It's the 16-25 players that need to be upgraded.

I don't know if I am remembering his first half-season correctly or not, but he tinkered with formation quite a bit to suit the squad he inherited. Back 3, back 5, 4-2-3-1,so on... I reckon they realised the approach to take was squad rebuild, rather than adaptable gamestyle. Just my read. And I think we have to endure these games where we have 80% possession and lose 1-0 occasionally until the entire squad comes together.

It was interesting Arteta's comment that even with a splurge, we won't catch up to where ManC are this coming summer.

 

[Gambit78]

Eddie isn't good enough either, we need another striker but I don't see that happening.

One more season, I think. Second striker probably the last position to be upgraded. Jorginho, Elneny and Partey are all over 30 and Xhaka appears to be out after this season. Need a rejuvenation in defensive midfield. The other question is do we stick with Smith-Rowe to rotate with Odegaard? Or do we sell and bring in an attacking midfielder (I'd like Mason Mount). Saka needs a chop out. Both full backs need reinforcement. Yeah, a few other positions to be sorted before they look at Nketiah.

 

[glenferry23]

Ideally a different profile of striker would be on the agenda this summer. Jesus has the versatility to be used as a wide option much like his City days. We often become too predictable with our strikers being of a similar size.

Nketiah however does have some currency in the market and if we’re going to be as ruthless as we need to, he could raise some funds. ESR too. I do fear for his future at Arsenal. Extraordinary watching what has happened with him. Has played approx 90 odd minutes out of the last available 1200+ I believe.

He might also be someone who unfortunately sees their future elsewhere this summer as we seek to raise the levels. Problem is though, as we’ve seen time and again at Arsenal, that their transfer value tanks whilst being frozen out of the team.

Saka needs support. Clearly the club tried to address this last summer with the approach for Raphinha. These numbers were very glaring:

 

[Planet14]

 

[tigs2010]

That stings but it’s so perfectly accurate