Our post-Wenger era has reached the halfway point in its first season. There have been highs, there have been lows. There have been wonder goals, and "do not wonder" defending.
Premier League
After the unkind start given us by the fixture computer, we had a good run of results up to losing to Southampton the other week.
Compared to last season we have won more, lost less, scored more and conceded a couple more. This has left us with 4 more points and 1 place higher in the league compared to after 19 games last season.
Europa League
Another stroll through the groups, dropping only two points. A more experienced look to most matchday squads has meant fewer chances for the kids. A very winnable draw in the next round.
League Cup
After last years final appearance, we only made the quarters this season.
Keepers
Still an issue. Leno has come in and has improved us in terms of playing out from the back. However, his actual keeping skills have not stood up to the PL demands, costing us a few goals from errors.
Cech performed well enough at the start of the season, but his limited ball playing skills put us under a lot of pressure in the games he played.
Defence
The obvious next step for improvement. We have conceded 25 goals, and made a lot of mistakes.
Individually, Bellerin and Sokratis have done well. Kolasinac has also performed well at times when his defensive duties have been reduced. Holding showed promise, and Mustafi had some good games.
Injuries have disrupted us throughout the season, with Sokratis then Holding then Mustafi all missing.
Hopefully we will add at least one CB asap, and maybe Mavropanos can get fit and show some form.
Midfield
Torreira has been excellent, and his partnership with Xhaka developed well. Sadly the defensive issues has meant this partnership has not been together a lot recently.
Guendouzi has shown a lot of promise, but has been over relied on due to the defensive issues and the use of Xhaka in the back line.
Elneny has barely been used, while Ramsey has almost exclusively been a support striker. This has meant the 3 of Torreira, Xhaka and Guendouzi has done most of the work.
Attacking midfield
Sadly the sagas of Ozil and Ramsey have been the talking point here. Neither has played as much as their reputations suggest they should, and both could be out the door.
Iwobi started the season well, but the burden of carrying the team has weighed heavy on his shoulders.
Mkhitaryan has been, well, Mkhitaryan. Now injured.
Smith-Rowe has been given opportunities, and delivered some very promising performances and been among the goals, albeit in the secondary competitions.
Strikers
Aubameyang has been prolific, but some will argue doesn't do enough when not scoring.
Lacazette has chipped in with goals, and some will argue offers more generally.
The obvious issue here is getting the best out of both.
Welbeck has perhaps played his last game for us.
Mr Emery
Taken to the tough task of changing our style, our performances, and perhaps most importantly, our mentality.
I think there has been obvious improvements, although it is clear this is not a squad best suited to Mr Emery. He has, therefore, done well to get the best out of the situation. Hopefully we can start to sort out a few more problems in the January window.
Expectation v Reality
Fighting for top 4 and progressing in the Europa were our two realistic aims at the start of this season, and we are there.
The transfer window will be important for our second half of the season ambitions, although the summer will be more telling.
Bye.
Half Term Report - Arsenal
posted on 27/12/18
comment by Auba 14 (U21751)
posted 2 minutes ago
This season is to be forgotten no point in following too much Arsenal I expect Liverpool will finally win the League and Spurs to finish second.
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Good idea. You can forget about football and not bother with this site. Bye...
posted on 27/12/18
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 6 hours, 4 minutes ago
Emery has done really well in my opinion. Can't under-estimate how very average this squad really is - it's by far the weakest out of the top 6 challengers. 38 points from 19 is not a bad return at all.
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I'm slightly confused by this comment. One of the argument the WOBs used to shout is that Wenger should be getting better from our squad. We changed manager and suddenly the squad is not good enough despite the fact that we added Sokratis, Torrreira and Leno?!
This is not a pro Wenger comment btw, I'm glad he is gone. But I'm starting to have doubts about Emery. Not sure he's the one who can restore our past glory. Some of his team selection, subs and tactics have been quite confusing. His man management skills as well have been poor. There is no reason why Guendo should start so many games when we have Ramsey on the bench
posted on 27/12/18
Well it is Wengers squad in the main.
Ramsey isn't getting games because he is leaving. Also, from the start, Emery only saw him as an attacker not a midfielder. Don't think he rates Ramsey tbh.
posted on 27/12/18
comment by 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 Emery OUT 🇫🇷 🇫🇷🇫🇷 (U10012)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 6 hours, 4 minutes ago
Emery has done really well in my opinion. Can't under-estimate how very average this squad really is - it's by far the weakest out of the top 6 challengers. 38 points from 19 is not a bad return at all.
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I'm slightly confused by this comment. One of the argument the WOBs used to shout is that Wenger should be getting better from our squad. We changed manager and suddenly the squad is not good enough despite the fact that we added Sokratis, Torrreira and Leno?!
This is not a pro Wenger comment btw, I'm glad he is gone. But I'm starting to have doubts about Emery. Not sure he's the one who can restore our past glory. Some of his team selection, subs and tactics have been quite confusing. His man management skills as well have been poor. There is no reason why Guendo should start so many games when we have Ramsey on the bench
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Agree with what you said in general. Emery is a good manager and the best option as Wenger's successor we could get at that time.
We criticise Wenger a lot for some reasons. One of the criticism was Wenger has no clue of tactics especially defense wise. Wenger playing players out of their position. Has that changed?
We can argue if it's right to let Ramsey go in January. But the main thing is we continue to lose main players.
Under the financial restrictions at Arsenal we continue to play about EL places and not CL Football anymore. Our main hindrance isnt/wasnt the manager it is our owner.
posted on 27/12/18
I'm not arguing that it's not Wenger squad the nor that he was in under achieving with it. But how many times have we heard that any decent manager would get more out of them which doesn't seem to be the case right now.
On the Ramsey front, since it's clear he's leaving, might as well play him so that he can showcase his talent. It's not like we currently have a better alternative
posted on 27/12/18
Also, we have conceded more goals so far this season than in any season under Wenger at the same stage and we have created far far fewer chances.
So actually, the only thing which has changed is that we are more clinical.
posted on 27/12/18
we have conceded more goals so far this season than in any season under Wenger at the same stage
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This isn't true
posted on 27/12/18
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 22 minutes ago
we have conceded more goals so far this season than in any season under Wenger at the same stage
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This isn't true
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You're right, my bad. Wenger did worse in one season, in 22 years!
posted on 27/12/18
I'm not arguing that it's not Wenger squad the nor that he was in under achieving with it. But how many times have we heard that any decent manager would get more out of them which doesn't seem to be the case right now.
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Thats after (estimate to lazy to fin real figure) flunked around 200 millions on crap players...
.
Look at Emery's signing they have all been precise and brought fourth new life tot he club..I am sure he will continue this momentum when given the same trust and budget in coming windows.
posted on 28/12/18
comment by Leo Phoenix (U7144)
posted 12 hours, 21 minutes ago
I'm not arguing that it's not Wenger squad the nor that he was in under achieving with it. But how many times have we heard that any decent manager would get more out of them which doesn't seem to be the case right now.
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Thats after (estimate to lazy to fin real figure) flunked around 200 millions on crap players...
.
Look at Emery's signing they have all been precise and brought fourth new life tot he club..I am sure he will continue this momentum when given the same trust and budget in coming windows.
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Lichtsteiner?