Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
Love the optimism, im sold, COYG
Legend
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14K
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over 16 years
dunno if its optimism, more of a demand, these are must win for us, they are realistically smaller clubs that we should be beating.
If Arteta and the current squad want to be taken seriously then they need to win these winnable games.
Historically we have drawn one if not more of these games.
Starting XI
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4.3K
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over 11 years
I think that's a bit harsh on Bellerin. I felt he was a good player and solid right back for us for years, and he was part of 3 FA Cup winning lineups too. Since a major injury he's lost a yard of pace which was his biggest asset, and his confidence looks shot. Injuries and possibly living through the final two Wenger years and the recent tumult destroyed him and needs a change of scenery to find the motivation and confidence again. He'll be a solid La Liga standard player.
Marquee
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Bellerin's work off the pitch is to be commended, from using his platform on social causes to being the one to co-ordinate with the squad around wage cuts etc. Absolutely didn't hit his potential, but a good club servant.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
In other news, Jack is having a hard time landing a gig. I really feel for the guy. I wish he had stuck around and fought for his spot when Emery came in. Who knows what could have come of it. Maybe the Nix should look at him. 
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jack-wilshere-training-contract-transfers-24880345
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
kwlap
In other news, Jack is having a hard time landing a gig. I really feel for the guy. I wish he had stuck around and fought for his spot when Emery came in. Who knows what could have come of it. Maybe the Nix should look at him. 
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jack-wilshere-training-contract-transfers-24880345

There was a very honest interview in the Athletic that was heartbreaking to read. He seems to realise he's cocked up a bit in terms of his attitude and then the pandemics really compounded things.
Marquee
1.7K
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over 16 years
Reflecting on the window I am excited for the direction and strategy of the club. While I'm not convinced Mikel will make it, nor do I think that we're going to have a hell of a good time this season, I do think we've hitched our horse back to a more sustainable model of youth. It's far more enjoyable watching the hale end boys, Tierney, Gabriel, and hopefully Lokonga, Tavares, White, Ramsdale, and Tomiyasu come into their own than Willian, Luiz, Liechsteiner and other 'experienced pros' see out their best days and run out of steam.
Marquee
1.5K
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5.2K
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over 16 years
kwlap
In other news, Jack is having a hard time landing a gig. I really feel for the guy. I wish he had stuck around and fought for his spot when Emery came in. Who knows what could have come of it. Maybe the Nix should look at him. 
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jack-wilshere-training-contract-transfers-24880345

Wenger would have at least let him train with the club in a heart beat until he could find another club. 
First Team Squad
1K
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1.7K
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over 15 years
Surely he can find another club the only thing stopping him is his wage expectations? Fundamentally he's obviously not that good anymore and if he's refusing offers from League 1 teams because he expect Championship or Premier League salary then he needs to reflect on that. Or have I missed something.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Ended up in the Royal Arsenal munitions apartment conversation in Woolwich on the weekend. It’s an incredible development, lots of green spaces, right on the Thames, and plenty of nods to the history of the site either by the types of buildings they’ve kept but also for the new builds having little Arsenal canons on them etc 
Marquee
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8.1K
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over 16 years
20 Legend
Surely he can find another club the only thing stopping him is his wage expectations? Fundamentally he's obviously not that good anymore and if he's refusing offers from League 1 teams because he expect Championship or Premier League salary then he needs to reflect on that. Or have I missed something.
 
I think he’d concede the wage/prestige expectations when he left Arsenal - but equally he has then been sucked into something of a downward vortex which Covid has magnified. Hopefully he can get somewhere for a season, get playing again, and if the joy and quality comes back he should be on the up again.
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
Anyone else watch the Arsenal women's team beat the defending champions Chelsea yesterday? Spark Sport have picked up the Women's Super League this season so I decided to watch. I admit I hadn't watched an Arsenal women's game before although I did enjoy watching the last 2 women's World Cups and the women's football at the Olympics so I was familiar with many of the players from both teams. Enjoyed the game and found it a real breath of fresh air after our first 3 games this season. Just to see the team pass and move, and mark opposition attackers and throw their bodies in front of shots on their goal was a joy I'd forgotten.

Looks like Spark have 3-4 full games each week (there's 12 teams so not every game) and highlights of all the games. Will probably continue to watch the Arsenal games.
Marquee
1.5K
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5.2K
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over 16 years
brumbys
20 Legend
Surely he can find another club the only thing stopping him is his wage expectations? Fundamentally he's obviously not that good anymore and if he's refusing offers from League 1 teams because he expect Championship or Premier League salary then he needs to reflect on that. Or have I missed something.
 
I think he’d concede the wage/prestige expectations when he left Arsenal - but equally he has then been sucked into something of a downward vortex which Covid has magnified. Hopefully he can get somewhere for a season, get playing again, and if the joy and quality comes back he should be on the up again.

I'd love to see him in the A-League. He's still only 29. Will probably never happen but would be cool.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
ajc28
Anyone else watch the Arsenal women's team beat the defending champions Chelsea yesterday? Spark Sport have picked up the Women's Super League this season so I decided to watch. I admit I hadn't watched an Arsenal women's game before although I did enjoy watching the last 2 women's World Cups and the women's football at the Olympics so I was familiar with many of the players from both teams. Enjoyed the game and found it a real breath of fresh air after our first 3 games this season. Just to see the team pass and move, and mark opposition attackers and throw their bodies in front of shots on their goal was a joy I'd forgotten.

Looks like Spark have 3-4 full games each week (there's 12 teams so not every game) and highlights of all the games. Will probably continue to watch the Arsenal games.

I stumbled upon this the other night as well. I think I first watched Everton v City then saw that the arsenal game was also on Spark. Bloody loved it, and love that we have access to it. 
I totally agree about the breath of fresh air. In the last few years my interest in watching the epl has waned a bit due to the completely polished nature of it, it's all uber professionalism and play-acting. I miss the individuality of players expressing themselves. So the women's game (and the A-league to a certain extent) is just great viewing. 
I also have 2 young daughters who watch with me and it's great for them to have role models to watch. 

Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
Further to that, you can sign up free to the FA Player and it looks like it has all games available on demand worldwide, and selected games live depending on broadcast rights. So should be able to watch the games that Spark don't have. I'm keen to keep up with at least the Arsenal women's games now there's easy access to them.
Legend
2.3K
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17K
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almost 17 years
Big game tonight lads, an absolute must win. I think we will do as well tbf, definitely expecting a response here. Quite a few players returning as well which helps our cause even more so. COYG!
Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
Gabriel, Partey, White all straight into the eleven?
Straight to my veins

Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
really hoping we put on a decent performance tonight. Ramsdale in for Leno????
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
much better performance from everyone today, a win is a win. Thought Norwich played really well and out pressure on us the whole game. We've scored, we've won, now we have to do i again against Burnley.
Legend
2.3K
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17K
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almost 17 years
I thought we defended well all game, Norwich had spells in both halves where we needed to sit back and absorb pressure and we did so without fault.

Three points on the board is the most important thing. Tricky away game next week so needed to take a bit of confidence into that.
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
fer sure,
Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney have to be our starting back four for as many games as possible.
Not convinced by Maitland-Niles in the midfield, I know he wants to play there but he w had too many loose passes to be a regular starter, especially when Partey is fit again. I'd expect to see an Odegaard/Partey ASAP. Pepe did better today, although I think he'll be pushed by Smith-Rowe for the start too. Tierney and Saka looked really good today - I want to see that combo on the left locked in.
Ramsdale did well in goal, he kept the back four working hard and stoped what he had too, hopefully he gets a run of 3 or more games to settle in properly - it was mentioned in the commentary and I agree, that you dont spend $30m on a keeper for him not to start. I reckon Leno will be riding the pine for a while to come.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
I reckon AMN is a stop gap, more dynamic than Elneny and gave Partey time to ease into it.

Loved Ramsdale’s confidence on the ball, especially the one where he faked Pukki.

This winning thing is fun, we should try it.
Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
I was stoked to see Ramsdale start. And now I feel the no.1 spot should be his. 
Better on the ball which is the chief reason, but I also like the air of confidence he bought with him, and the extra physicality in the air on set pieces. 
Partey looked good when he came on. I feel Lokonga will be better alongside Partey too, they seem quite complimentary in styles to me. 
AMN really played how you would expect. You know he's got good skills and good desire, he shows some nice touches and passes and runs at times, but then suddenly he'll switch off, play a bad pass, or get caught on it. Can be very frustrating. There is a good player in there but it's all about his mentality. It is nice having the flexibility to push him to fullback and bring on a midfielder or attacker though.
I was really impressed with Tomiyasu. Fast, great desire, I'm quite excited going by that display. He seems a little like Chambers but with slightly more pace and athleticism. 

Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
After that game I feel we're getting closer to knowing our strongest team. 
For me right now:
                   Ramsdale
Tomiyasu-White-Gabriel-Tierney
             Partey-Lokonga
        Pepe-Odegaard-Saka
                Aubameyang
As you all know I'm a bit of a Xhaka fan, so harsh on him, but I feel Lokonga has Xhaka's passing range and a bit more, especially if paired with Partey. 
Also harsh on ESR but I can't quite see where he fits in there. Pepe brings pace and goal threat which we need on that side for me, and I wouldn't play him ahead of Odegaard or Saka. Good thing is that ESR has a progressive driving style which suits a bench role very well. He made a good impact when he came on against Norwich in my opinion. 

Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years

Arteta wants to play a 433. So I imagine that partley will be the anchor with ordegaard and ESR playing in front of him. With auba flanked by pepe and saka up top. 
Agree on Tomi, I was soo iffy on him. but after watching how he worked on the weekend (and if he had scored that volley chance, my word) and reading about him a bit, I very excited by what he can bring to the team
Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
4-3-3 always becomes a 4-5-1 with two high wide wingers. and wingbacks overlapping. I think this will be what we see going forward.
                       Ramsdale
        Tomiyasu-White-Gabriel-Tierney
                   Partey-Lokonga
               Pepe-Odegaard-Saka
                       Aubameyang
Starting XI
2.1K
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4.3K
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over 11 years
A win is a win. Wasn't pretty, and I guess it was always going to be a chaotic scramble when we eventually scored but 3 points are 3 points. Surprised Mike Dean didn't rule the goal out on VAR too.

Tomiyasu was impressive considering he's only been with the club for about a day and maybe only had one training session. Looks a solid defender. Him starting, and then AMN and then Cedric slotting into RB possibly signals the end for Chambers. And good start from Ramsdale so far. You don't spend that sort of money on a keeper for him to sit on the bench. If Leno really does want to leave and the intention is for Ramsdale to be the number 1 then he may as well be in the team now. Leno wanting out makes the decision to go with him over Martinez look even worse than it did at the time, but that's done so hopefully Ramsdale works out.


Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
kwlap

Arteta wants to play a 433. So I imagine that partley will be the anchor with ordegaard and ESR playing in front of him. With auba flanked by pepe and saka up top. 
Agree on Tomi, I was soo iffy on him. but after watching how he worked on the weekend (and if he had scored that volley chance, my word) and reading about him a bit, I very excited by what he can bring to the team

brumbys kind of said this in a different way, but I don't see arteta playing odegaard and ESR together in a three man midfield. Those two are attackers, straight up. 
If he goes for a 3 man midfield it will be two out of Partey, Xhaka, Lokonga, Elneny and AMN, and one out of Odegaard/ESR, I think
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
paulm
kwlap

Arteta wants to play a 433. So I imagine that partley will be the anchor with ordegaard and ESR playing in front of him. With auba flanked by pepe and saka up top. 
Agree on Tomi, I was soo iffy on him. but after watching how he worked on the weekend (and if he had scored that volley chance, my word) and reading about him a bit, I very excited by what he can bring to the team

brumbys kind of said this in a different way, but I don't see arteta playing odegaard and ESR together in a three man midfield. Those two are attackers, straight up. 
If he goes for a 3 man midfield it will be two out of Partey, Xhaka, Lokonga, Elneny and AMN, and one out of Odegaard/ESR, I think

I prefer the Arsene, play all the attacking midfielders, Wenger approach. 😂

But in all seriousness I think we’ll see both depending on who we are playing, match situation etc.

What you’ve suggested works well for Burnley away, Paulm. But perhaps Norwich at home we could go for it.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Finally getting back to the Emirates next week for the AFC Wimbledon game. Then grabbed a mates season ticket for Palace at home next month.
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
This lack of midweek action feels like having a mini international window every week!

I did see JW10 missed out on a contract in Italy due to not having a European passport, the consequences of Brexit for the British! And he’s apparently had an offer from Arteta to return and train so hopefully they can make that happen.

Would be unreal if he trained his way into a short return in January…
Legend
3.6K
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15K
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almost 17 years
Yea it's funny aye. I been following and reading that wilshere stuff.
The realist in me knows it's not going to happen, and we wouldnt want it, considering his lack of impact elsewhere and even Bournemouth releasing him, but there's something deep down when it comes to guys like Wilshere, that secretly yearns for him to come good in training and re-sign. Just one of those feel good things with the ex players.
Such a shame how its turned out for him. All those ankle hacks have destroyed his career. 
Marquee
1.5K
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5.2K
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over 16 years
Current rumour is that Newcastle Jets are after him.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
Gooner 4 Life
Current rumour is that Newcastle Jets are after him.
 really? After his interview with Ornstein, I asked Domey if he/the nix were interested. He didn't get back to me! haha
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
Great game that, good result.
MØ08 FK was sublime.

Nice to have VAR go our way with the pen.

The balls on Arteta to take Partey and Tierney off with 15 left was excellent. Ensured their protection for future matches. Subs did well.
Legend
2.3K
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17K
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almost 17 years
Big three points again. Not easy going there and leaving with all three points. Gabriel is a colossus.

Bring on Tottenham.
Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
eish, happy with the points and no injuries but we are still a very scrappy team. 
by in large I think our defence had the game well in control, thought White did make it a bit harder than it needed to be Our attack was pretty impotent again. I wonder what the solution is here. Laca instead of Auba? 

Marquee
3.1K
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6.7K
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over 16 years
also liked how Arteta started with my suggested team this morning :) I didn't realise he read these forums! :P 
Marquee
1.7K
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8.1K
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over 16 years
kwlap
eish, happy with the points and no injuries but we are still a very scrappy team. 
by in large I think our defence had the game well in control, thought White did make it a bit harder than it needed to be Our attack was pretty impotent again. I wonder what the solution is here. Laca instead of Auba? 


I’ve been wondering this. Auba’s not getting the service still, but equally isn’t offering as good a link up play as Laca which makes it hard to justify continuing with him in this formation through the middle.

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