Sokratis gone, and Ozil to be confirmed this weekend. If we can get Mustafi to move on too that would be a good window and sets us up nicely for the summer.
I always liked Sokratis, he had a good amount of mongrel to his game and definitely wasn't on the Luiz/Mustafi scale for errors.
And just like that Matty Ryan is our back up goal keeper on loan for the rest of the season. That was a total bolt from the blue!
Perfect signing really. Didnt see that coming. Kind of nice to have an a league player we all know as well.
Lots of talk around odegaard and bertrand this morning. Odegaard potentially on loan from madrid, would compete with ESR in the 10 role.
Bertrand as LB backup, 6 mths on his southmpton contract and stalling on a new deal.
What would that mean for AMN tho? Soares put in his best ever performance for us the other day and seems like the clear back up on the other side.
Well the willian signing looks to have been a terrible mistake. How long will it take us to sort that mess out. I hope not the full length of his contract.
Pepe very underwhelming.
The second string attack is such a pale imitation of the first string.
Gabriel looked quite rusty this morning too, was unlike him. Hopefully he gets his zing back.
Well the willian signing looks to have been a terrible mistake. How long will it take us to sort that mess out. I hope not the full length of his contract.
Pepe very underwhelming.
The second string attack is such a pale imitation of the first string.
Gabriel looked quite rusty this morning too, was unlike him. Hopefully he gets his zing back.
It'll be interesting to see what happens to this if we get Odegard. In theory we'd have a ESR type player for both first and second 11's which may bring more out of Willian/Pepe's game.
What's really frustrating is knowing both are blocking Nelson's progression through no fault of Nelson's.
I really hope we don't go for Ryan Betrand. AMN has hardly played, it's not surprising one game back and he's underwhelmed.
Few interesting rumours around including Torreira being recalled to then be sold, Guendouzi to be recalled and in a swap deal for Draxler (please, no - he's not living up to the hype), and Mustafi having his contract cancelled.
I'd be happy with the Torreira/Mustafi situation as it might mean we can invest properly this window - or at the least head into summer with some funds raised.
My biggest fear at this point is that we give Luiz another extension.
Geez you know what, Im just about ready to just stop following any football on social media. It's a pathetic world.
We had a terrible run and then pulled out of it, to win 4 in a row. Then this morn we huffed and puffed and couldn't score, but defended pretty well, and at least kept a clean sheet.
Tierney, Mari and Gabriel were all missing from the starting lineup for various reasons, so far from a first choice defence.
Not the worst result all things considered, but obviously not ideal.
On social media you'd think someone died. It's all Pepe's fault, our team is nothing without Tierney, the owners need to give Arteta more spending money, the same old tropes just return every time. If we'd been completely out-played and battered 2/3 nil I would get it, but it was just one of those games where we couldn't quite get the goal, and I was thankful we were disciplined enough not to concede (Xhaka was immense this morn, as an aside).
I honestly don't know how people can live with taking extreme opinions from game to game. No wonder mental illness is such an issue these days, that kind of emotional flip-flopping is so bad for your wellbeing.
I think you need to understand what it's like in the UK. We're at the absolute worst point of the crisis right now with a person getting admitted to hospital every 30 seconds with Covid. Most of us didn't get to celebrate Christmas with our families, and now we're on our 3rd national lock down. It's pretty grim, and I've personally found this year has really brought it home with a number of colleagues falling ill with it. Also, January in the UK is fudgeing bleak anyway. Everyone ditches the booze, the weathers sharke, and no one has any holidays booked for awile!
However, you're absolutely bang on with the broader point here - our fan base can be fickle at the best of times.
Late to acknowledge this, but some good points made there brumbys. Guess people will be a bit more highly strung than usual.
Still, it's exhausting. I basically just don't read things after a poor result anymore.
Tierney out this morn. Auba not back yet. Looks like Mari still not available.
Pepe takes Auba's spot on the left, otherwise as expected, although Maitland-Niles looks like he's fallen behind Soares as the LB and RB back-up. Probably fair given Soares' recent improvement, and AMN's last couple of showings being slightly below par.
Leno
Bellerin-Holding-Luiz-Soares
Xhaka-Partey
Saka-Smith Rowe-Pepe
Lacazette
half an hour in and its 1-1, after a terrible defending on a corner. We have looked pretty good on attack thus far, hopefully it translates into more goals.
McCarthy has a Marinovic moment and gifts Saka an easy goal.
2-1
McCarthy has a Marinovic moment and gifts Saka an easy goal.
2-1
I'm seeing it as 2-2 counting the obligatory Walcott goal.
McCarthy has a Marinovic moment and gifts Saka an easy goal.
2-1
I'm seeing it as 2-2 counting the obligatory Walcott goal.
Theo has come close a couple of times, but is currently lacking his expected goal against us.
Lacazette makes it 3-1, after a long delay for an injury replacement, lovely cross from Cedric.
David Luis has been responsible for two breakaway chances for Southampton. He has been poor today.
Luiz is 4th choice for me in our CB pecking order. Mari has a niggle and Gabriel is coming back from Covid (and looked rusty on the weekend), so Luiz starting should be temporary.
Hoping that Saliba can come into the first team next season to take Luiz' spot, and we don't re-sign him. Having said that, by all accounts Luiz has been valuable in the dressing room and on the training pitch. He seems to have really helped Arteta's bedding in, in that respect, by supporting him massively as a senior player.
Good win this morning. I feared the worst when Laca missed the easy chance and Soton went up the other end and scored, but good mental strength from the team to stay calm and just keep playing. Dominated for most part, but Soton are a good side and were always dangerous.
I hope Partey isn't injured again. He is so good. Worrying that he keeps picking up niggles.
Mari and Soares are starting to look like very good signings. Worth mentioning as they were written off as agent-pocket-lining signings by most of us, and with sound justification at that.
That was one hell of a game. Probably one of our most enjoyable performances this season given the quality of attack on display. Great to see Pepe and Soares have some good games too. Luiz really highlighted how poor he is. I hear you on the seniority piece Paulm, but you'd hope with Xhaka, Partey, Auba, Holding, and Bellerin all now 'senior' you'd expect he could not re-sign and we'd be OK still.
Martin Odegaard signed - great result for the team. Much higher hopes for him than Dennis Suarez who has drifted into obscurity with Celta Vigo.
Looking ahead to the summer you'd expect Odegaard & Ceballos to return to Madrid. Mustafi & Luiz to depart as free agents. Kolasinac, Torreira, and Guendouzi to return from loan to be sold. Matt Ryan's hard to predict - but perhaps a cheap permanent deal if he goes OK?
Think we'll see 2 midfield permanent signings this summer, and hopefully a left back.
Unsure what the future holds for Nketiah, AMN, or Nelson. All 3 could raise much needed funds for us.
We'll still be stuck with fudgeing Willian though!
With the emergence of Soares as no.1 back up to Bellerin and Tierney, and the rumours we were trying to sign Bertrand, I fear there is something going on behind the scenes with Maitland-Niles. Perhaps he might be off at the end of the season?
I think Nketiah's future depends on Balogun. If Arteta convinces Balogun to re-sign then that could see Nketiah out the door.
Agree re: senior players Brumbys. Add Lacazette to that list now too, he's been given the armband several times recently, and is looking like a leader these days.
I feel that Odegaard could be seen as a permanent option if things go well, but agree that Ceballos probably isn't doing enough to warrant the same. It's all a bit risky though - if Odegaard went really well then it might prove difficult to sign him permanently.
Yea I agree, midfield has to be the priority next season. Not sure of the situation with Xhaka's contract but I'd be looking at 2 new ones to upgrade on Ceballos and Elneny. Or if Odegaard doesn't succeed, or become a longer term option, then perhaps keep Elneny, and look for one central mid and a new 10.
We can avoid buying at centre back now I reckon. With Holding emerging like he has, and Gabriel and Mari looking good, perhaps Saliba and Chambers could complete the squad in terms of CBs next season...
If Ryan fits well with the team then why not sign him permanently, if he can be bought cheap.
What I like about Ryan is that he's EPL experienced without the flashy price tag. Pulling in squad players from mid table sides isn't a bad thing, especially if it'll be cheaper than acquiring average continental talent.
No tierney, no saka, no auba this morning yikes
I thought we did well without 3 (arguably 4 if you count CB) of our best 11. Was disappointed to see Pepe went back to the right, he’s just found form. He did well, but I do wonder what if.
Draw seemed a fair result, although if The Fernandes foul on Xhaka was the other way around he’d have seen red.
Credit to Willian, he wasn’t as awful as we’ve see and did change the dynamic down the left in the second half. Disappointed he didn’t bury that back post chance but it’s not surprising given his form.
Mustafi, Sokratis, Ozil, Kolasinc all gone.
Wow.
What a window. Utterly ruthless and sets us up strongly for summer!
Mustafi, Sokratis, Ozil, Kolasinc all gone.
Wow.
What a window. Utterly ruthless and sets us up strongly for summer!
yea it was a good clear out. the only one I have reservations on is Mustafi, our CBs have been hot and cold or injured a lot and now I feel we are a tough light. But still good to find homes for the others.huge cut in the wage bill. But I wonder what position financially we will be in the summer to sign players. fingers crossed we get into europa, but it without european football of some kind, it will be hard to attract players.
good for Wilock to be off to Newcastle and AMN to West Brom, those two will get mins and continue to develop. Interesting the AMN only wanted to goto a team where he would play as a CM, which was against the clubs interests. Unless he develops through the roof, I cant seem him staying much longer ay. which is a pity.
As for Nelson, I am surprised he hasn't moved. I think he is always promising, but never quite clicks. I hope he gets opportunities in the team for the rest of the season.
Fair comments there. I think if AMN has a good run at CM he'll either be a contender to replace Ceballos when he goes back to Madrid, or he'll be a profitable youth team departure. He's turning into the Ox 2.0, minus the injury problems.
Totally agree about Nelson - whatever is happening there I hope Willian gets benched but I doubt it. Arteta has to try to make Willian work to justify the outlay and 3 year commitment.
Surprised Chambers didn't nab a move back to Fulham or another loan deal - he needs minutes. Perhaps with Mustafi departing he's the 5th choice back up to Holding, Mari, Gabriel, and Luiz.
There's a cracking write up in The Athletic about how the re-build has to continue in the summer.
But having lost Kolasinac, Mustafi, Sokratis, and Ozil this window, I think we'll sell/move on Torreira, Guendouzi, AMN, Nketiah, Nelson, Elneny, Mavropanos and Chambers in the summer and hopefully not extend Luiz while Ceballos & Odegaard will go back to RM, and Ryan likely back to Brighton.
We would still have this squad:
Forwards: Auba, Martinelli, Saka, Pepe, Willian
Midfield: Xhaka, Partey, Willock, ESR
Defenders: Gabriel, Holding, Saliba, Mari, Bellerin, Tierney, Soares
GK: Leno & Runnarson
Ignoring other U23's who might come through the ranks, I think you'd want one more striker or wide man depending on how Martinelli plays, 2 more midfielders, a LB, and a back up GK.
You'd think given the funds we could raise £50m in transfer fees plus + £2-3m per week in wages we'd be able to fund some good up and coming players in the 20-24 age profile.
It would be a huge amount of churn but it's the level of reform Emery never got but is totally needed with this squad.
Oh, and I think we can afford to go to a leaner squad (albeit the one I proposed is made up of 23 players) next season as you'd hope scheduling is kinder.
Sh*t weve looked good so far this morn.
Hit the post twice, had one chalked off by VAR, now Pepe gives us the lead with an excellent individual goal.
Saka, what a player. And Partey, he's so perfect for us.
FFS David Luiz
Interesting that what just happened is essentially the same as what happened to the Phoenix vs Newcastle.
In that game, no pen, VAR did not intervene, and the commentators and most people seemed to agree it was no pen.
What do others think?
Personally I think those are penalties. But perhaps a red card is harsh given the lack of intent.
Oh well, it's done now. We've played very well but another Luiz catastrophe has f*cked us. Now backs against the wall.
geezer Luis. Why would you run that line??? You weren't getting g the player legally. Ever. Ffs.
geezer Luis. Why would you run that line??? You weren't getting g the player legally. Ever. Ffs.
Leno gone too. No complaints.
After such a promising first 40, where we shoulda been 2-3 up, its a tough kick in the guts.
No ryan debut? Why was he not in the team this morn?
The VAR should have intervened on the red given the double jeopardy rule. The absolute cod of a referee for not taking a look on the monitor is super frustrating. We should have been at 1-1 with 11 men, not 1-1 with 10. No way Wolves deserve this result. Leno's red will hurt us the most given Ryan is injured...
All I can say is football is an utter cod sometimes.
Is that right brumbys? Do the rules say it shouldn't have been a red as well?
Geez that would be a horrendous officiating mistake if true.
Ordinarily I wouldn't be too concerned with this result given the circumstances in the game itself. Sh*t can happen.
But it's really crushing given the state of the table, and the momentum we were building. With our form and the lack of form from anyone else, we were honestly still a top 4 shout. That's really gone now, we couldn't afford this slip.
So what next? Is a Europa League spot a target we even care about? I don't personally, but the club probably does given the revenue factor.
We really want to target winning the actual Europa League this season now. We are a good shot at that too, when you look at last season's FA Cup win.
No ryan debut? Why was he not in the team this morn?
He's injured. Hip I think
Is that right brumbys? Do the rules say it shouldn't have been a red as well?
Geez that would be a horrendous officiating mistake if true.
My understanding was the law changed regarding penalties and red cards 2 seasons ago. The new rule is that to avoid the double whammy of both a red card + a penalty players should only see red if they've intentionally wiped out the player i.e. didn't make a play for the ball. So the Luiz red card at Chelsea last season was correct, in that he wiped out the player without really going for the ball. In this instance I believe it should be over turned, or at there very least the ref should have been guided to the monitor.
The worst part of VAR is that it gives you the hope they'll fix these kind of problems. I'm sure they'll come out and say that it wasn't obvious enough a fudge up or some other bs.
Nah, the referee is 100% correct. The rules say it's not a red card "if there was a genuine attempt to play the ball."
While obviously accidental, and I actually feel bad for him, he didn't genuinely attempt to play the ball so it's a red. I could imagine the rule being updated to include situations where there wasn't intent to even commit a foul.
Edit - exact wording...
Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct
So for us Arsenal and Phoenix fans, how do we feel about that non-call in the Phoenix/Newcastle game last week?
Exact same situation, Newcastle defender wasn't trying to take out our attacker, but the attacker tripped and fell when his shooting foot hit the defender behind him.
In that situation, the ref gave nothing, VAR said it was the right call, the commentators said it was the right call, and the phoenix fans even seemed to be in consensus that it wasn't a penalty.
I'm seeing debate over whether Luiz should've been red carded, but a consensus that it was definitely a penalty.
If the ref had not called it, what would people be saying? That he was right, just like the Phoenix game?
Or do we think the situations were different?
Is there video of the Phoenix/Newcastle incident?
Just skimmed the youtube highlights of the game but the incident wasn't in there.
Honestly it was so low key, dismissed on the spot, no debate from anyone. Questions like "what's the defender sposed to do, he doesn't know the attacker is going to lift his foot back to shoot" etc.
I thought at the time how can that not be a pen? Yes the defender had absolutely no intent, but the fact is the attacker had a clear shot on goal, took it, and was impeded in doing so.
