Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[andana]

observations from Arsenal's training session in Dubai that you might have missed:

Arsenal Focuses on Set-Pieces​

The Gunners dedicated some time to honing their set-pieces. Recent images captured ten players in orange bibs, suggesting that the focus was on defensive setups, unless a shock new corner tactic is on the cards from Nicolas Jover.

Absences Noted: Havertz, Martinelli, and Tomiyasu​

Significant players Gabriel Martinelli, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kai Havertz were absent from the training ground. Martinelli, who suffered a hamstring injury during a recent match against Newcastle, was confirmed to be uncomfortable and will undergo an MRI scan to assess the damage. Tomiyasu is still sidelined due to a knee injury, having struggled with fitness issues last season and only managed six minutes of play this term.

Meanwhile, Havertz was notably missing from training photos, sparking curiosity as he has been seen in previous sessions. Perhaps he was feeling somewhat shy in front of the cameras.

White Steps Up His Recovery​

Ben White was seen on an exercise bike, working diligently to regain match fitness after undergoing knee surgery in November. His absence has opened opportunities for Myles Lewis-Skelly to stepping into the starting lineup, yet Arsenal has dearly missed White’s presence in defense. His impending return will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to Arteta and his squad.

​

 

[dirty2]

Oh **** me..

 

[andana]

It was inevitable.

Still have one striker.

 

[glenferry23]

Still have one striker.

From my limited knowledge he’s more accustomed to playing wide. He and Sagoe Jnr were with the squad in Dubai and were linked with loan moves away in January. However given the lack of forward options they have been kept at the club. And this was before the Martinelli and Havertz injuries.

Nwaneri has been mentioned as a 9 by Arteta. Have to manage his minutes though. He’s still 17. Trossard and Sterling are the only other two senior forwards in the squad. A wild yet not entirely unforeseen situation we are now in.

 

[Wrenny]

 

[bok_party]

Well season definitely done. Sometimes things just don’t go right.

 

[glenferry23]

Holy ****. Stunned.

 

[Cruyff14]

Slot has cursed both Pep and Arteta.

 

[andana]

Liverpool players could be banned after todays melee.

We can change our game plan. Don't need any forwards.

 

[windyhill]

Come on son...

 

[Shoei]

Eh, the league has been gone for a while now, Havertz going down doesn't really change that.

We need to make sure to lock up a top 3 finish now, that should be the clubs priority. Sadly, that should see us sacrificing the Champion's league games. We just don't have the bodies to be fighting on two fronts and I'd rather guarantee participation again next year when we can reset and reload rather than just trying to limp any further this year.

Yeah, it sucks but its all about focusing what little resources we have left for the best return now.

Two very winnable games coming up in Leicester and West Ham then 3 very tough games Forrest, United and Chelsea.

Probably an honour guard vs Liverpool 10th May.

Excellent read (as always) via Edu's BBQ, definitely worth subscribing to if you can spare the $

https://billycarpenter.substack.com/p/new-superpowers-old-kryptonite

 

[glenferry23]

Yes that article is excellent, I read it earlier today. A long read however worthwhile doing so, the issues that have come to a head with Arsenal’s attackers has been a long time in the making unfortunately.

Nwaneri’s minutes need to be managed correctly, his body still developing at 17 and we don’t want to run him into the ground and break him like what has happened with Havertz etc. Trossard is a worry too, the load they’ve carried puts them right in that danger zone.

Strangely enough I still remain (somewhat) optimistic in the champions league. Which sounds ridiculous given our cluster injuries and having never won that completion before. Whilst I don’t think we’ll spiral out of top 3/4 in the league (lots of draws I’m predicting as teams will keep us out with low blocks and scoring goals will be a big challenge), the CL I still think we can go on a run.

Arsenal are excellent defensively, and we haven’t conceded a goal yet in Europe at home so far this season. Home form is a bedrock of a strong CL campaign, we concede very little in terms of xG chances. And presuming that continues (big if of course), you just never know. Can Arsenal somehow stay in the conversation until late March once Saka returns, that’s the question.

 

[dirty2]

Was thinking yesterday if we still managed to win the league from here what an achievement that would be...

Grasping at straws.. just hope at this point we play well and just see what happens.

 

[charcoalchicken]

Will be interesting to see how we line up anyway..

Let’s call a spade a spade though, arteta is the second highest paid manager in world soccer and he’s left us light, in the main window and now in the January window.. he has absolutely cooked the players as well, injuries everywhere

January is tough but if you’re getting paid good money you need to make moves happen, yeah you can blame the owners which is fair as well but we have left the league trophy begging this season, spin it how you like but it’s obvious we have.

 

[dirty2]

Will be interesting to see how we line up anyway..

Let’s call a spade a spade though, arteta is the second highest paid manager in world soccer and he’s left us light, in the main window and now in the January window.. he has absolutely cooked the players as well, injuries everywhere

January is tough but if you’re getting paid good money you need to make moves happen, yeah you can blame the owners which is fair as well but we have left the league trophy begging this season, spin it how you like but it’s obvious we have.

Problem is we have had the same issues for awhile now... No back up to saka for how long? No back up to odegaard? (Got lucky with nwaneri)

Less rest for key players. Injuries we all knew where gonna happen. Then more players need to step up and play more what equals more injuries...

 

[glenferry23]

Definitely questions need to be asked about squad building in the last 2-3 windows. Composition of the squad also just shouldn’t happen like this either, 4 fullbacks on the bench continually whilst gambling on the fitness of a scarce number of forwards.

Arteta certainly is accountable for grinding players into the dust, Havertz was a matter of time. I commented at the time of him collapsing at full time against Wolves. And then it was almost farcical watching him play the 90 against Newcastle when 4-0 down on aggregate, I said at the time he needs to come off (need to protect your key players at that point). He also heavily campaigned for Merino and Calafiori last summer, when there were glaring signs in the squad where investment is needed.

I reckon that stuff came to a head with Edu later in the window, when he pulled the pin on that Garcia chase (€30m for a deputy GK, what was Mikel doing) and called in his compatriot Neto on loan. 2 months later, Edu leaves the club.

There’s many rumblings around that time that quite likely led to a parting of ways. In the last Arsenal moved very swiftly and cohesively in key transactions, with Arteta, Vinai and Edu all clearly aligned. 2 of the 3 have now departed, and can’t help but feel that continuity and stability has impacted across the top level of the club, and this stuff makes a difference in making transactions happen. Relationships with representatives, agents, lawyers, all this stuff matters. It why the next appointment has to be the right one, and soonish, so that person has plenty of runway to get the groundwork done prior to an integral summer for the club.

Not just key acquisitions, but also need to keep an eye on contract negotiations and renewals. Saliba the standout. 2 years left on his deal. Saka and Gabriel will also be due. This appointment needs to be spot on.

As for tonight, fascinated to see selection. Arteta spoke very well I must say in yesterday’s press conference. He transmitted all of the right energy and messaging. I was very impressed with that and it somehow made me feel better about the situation which sounds ridiculous given how dire it actually is.

Merino as a false 9 is an interesting concept. All options need to be on the table now.

 

[bok_party]

Think we might even see Tierney implemented as a left winger at times. His directness and crossing could be quite beneficial at this stage.

 

[glenferry23]

Think we might even see Tierney implemented as a left winger at times. His directness and crossing could be quite beneficial at this stage.

Yes for sure, we’ve already seen him come on late in games and play some minutes there. He gives something different, has an excellent cross on him too. Need to pair him accordingly to get the best out of him. Crossing balls into the likes of Sterling or Trossard isn’t ideal.

 

[bok_party]

Yes for sure, we’ve already seen him come on late in games and play some minutes there. He gives something different, has an excellent cross on him too. Need to pair him accordingly to get the best out of him. Crossing balls into the likes of Sterling or Trossard isn’t ideal.

If it means not starting Sterling, I’m all for it

 

[Cruyff14]

Merino at F9 seems weird? Maybe as a target man, but a F9, I don't see it.

 

[andana]

LINE-UPS
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard.
Subs: Neto, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Tierney, Kiwior, White, Jorginho, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji.

Good to see White back

Leicester: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen, Ndidi, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid, Ayew, Soumare, Vardy.
Subs: Stolarczyk, Coady, Coulibaly, Winks, Mavididi, Skipp, Buonanotte, Daka, Vestergaard.

Light rain gentle breeze 3 degrees

 

[glenferry23]

Great to have White back in the squad. Only one forward option on the bench to call upon if need be.

 

[Shoei]

Ironic if a 38 yr old Vardy officially ends this years title run, give the what if we had have signed him....

 

[glenferry23]

4-3-3 shape with Rice noticeably higher than usual. Appears tactical however need to see more of Raya with the ball to be sure, is he trying to hit Rice where he would usually look for Havertz.

Sterling on the left is much better suited, he’s historically had more success there. If there was ever a time Raheem, it’s now.

 

[Planet14]

Trossard having one of “those” days unfortunately.