After the distraction of the international break, and the sideshow over at WHL, we are back to Premier League football. Southampton are the visitors for a 3pm Saturday kick off.
We left off with a 2-0 defeat, Emery under a lot of pressure - but with the vocal backing of the board- Aubameyang as captain but not liking being told who he can talk to, Xhaka expelled from the first team but Ozil back, Pepe benched, Torreira starting but wanting out, a back 3 and Bellerin returning from injury.
One of the benefits of how crap we have become is that not many players go on international duty. Leno was with Germany, but Bellerin, Sokratis, Luiz, Chambers, Holding and Tierney all stayed at home. so hopefully they did a lot of work together.
One of the problems Torreira has is travelling back to South America for international duty, but this time Uruguay played in Hungary and Israel so hopefully he is deemed available. With Xhaka expected to remain out of the picture, Torreira and Guendouzi have to play.
Aubameyang scored for his country, while Pepe played 180 minutes. Lacazette and Ozil, however, stayed at home.
Hopefully the mini break will have been beneficial to the fitness of Tierney, Bellerin, Lacazette and others who looked off the pace (understandably).
Interesting to see if the back 3 is retained. It seems the best way to get Auba, Laca and Ozil all into the team, disguises the lack of options we have in midfield, and allows Tierney and Bellerin to attack. Also gives David Luiz a bit more freedom. However, it likely means Pepe stays benched.
Our league form is dreadful, 2 defeats and 2 draws in the last 4 games and only 4 wins this season.
Our opponents are also awful, but have made a bit of a recovery from the shocking 9-0 defeat against Leicester. Narrow 2-1 defeats against Manchester City and Everton in their last two suggest a bit of fight left in them. The Saints have lost 8 of 12, including 6 of the last 7, so far this season, but their 2 wins have come away from home.
With Spurs making a decisive move yesterday, anything but a win is unthinkable for Mr Emery on Saturday.
Arsenal vs Southampton
posted on 21/11/19
Not sure its fair to blame Kroenke for part ownership. There is not control to implement anything. This is true for Arsenal as well. While Usmanov was still involved Kroenke couldn't put money in. Ever since he has taken full control he has spent a net c£100m per season. What more do you expect him to do? Its up to directors he employs to take decisions. We have had Raul for 1.5 seasons, Vinai for one season and Edu for half a season.
posted on 21/11/19
So someone's track record is no longer relevant, because that's all I was pointing out? I suppose Emery's track record of being a bang average manager isn't relevant either? Or, moving away from football, Farage's, Trump's or Johnson's (for example)?
posted on 21/11/19
I think you have to be careful when assigning blame. Otherwise you end up blaming the wrong ppl for the wrong reasons. Situations whether they go right or wrong require a deeper examination and a track record is no different in my opinion. So for example when you are looking at Emery, its important to recognise he did well at a mid table club. But has failed at PSG and I think is failing so far at Arsenal. Now I think Arsenal made a mistake if they employed Emery on the basis of what he did at Sevilla and ignored what he did at PSG. We can't ask Gazidis because he left soon afterwards!
posted on 21/11/19
Hmm... okay. So you can't argue about the record of this clubs he owns and their overall okay-ness so you'll go with simply calling me wrong.
Of course Emery is a bad fit but he'll stay as long as he's allowed to. Which job where you're earning millions would you voluntarily walk away from? So if the powers that be keep him, then it's a reflection on them too... which goes all the way up to the person who owns the club. Much as my personal opinion is that Abromavich jumped the gun a little with some of his sackings, he should a winning mentality and desire. Can't say I've seen anything from Kroenke who's rarely showed up and who only got his son involved with shirrrt was really hitting the fan this last summer... and I can't say that the clubs he currently owns show any different.
posted on 21/11/19
showed, not should...
posted on 21/11/19
Hmm... okay. So you can't argue about the record of this clubs he owns and their overall okay-ness so you'll go with simply calling me wrong.
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No. I explained its very different from being a part owner compared to be being a full owner and its difficult comparing US Sports to football anyway because of monopolies and drafting.
If you are to look at what Kroenke has done at Arsenal, I think you have to separate his ownership into two phases. And its only in the last few years that he is fully responsible for finances after he completed a full takeover. Thats why his son only got involved recently. Despite the negative reporting our spending in my opinion has been quite good when you take into account the lack of CL football.
Personally I don't want Kroenke's involved at all. I believe in delegation and I think should let Raul, Vinai and Edu get on with it. Then its their heads if they can't move the club forward. But as I explained they have only assumed their roles very recently. you got to give them a chance.
posted on 21/11/19
Not sure why you're splitting hairs. Summarily, his history suggests he's not going to propel Arsenal to dizzying heights. His manager's history suggests the same thing. That's all I said. Until actions show otherwise or changes are made, it's that evidence, along with external factors such as other teams' performances, I'm using to judge where I think Arsenal will be. How he performed as a part owner versus as a full owner changes nothing in the round.
posted on 21/11/19
Isn't Emery's contract till end of the season? I'm not counting on him getting the sack as Messrs Kroenke are not wont to do that, due to the compensation involved. If results don't improve, Emery's contract won't, with all likelihood, be renewed. I worry though about where Arsenal will end on the table and it's likely impact on players and prospective signings.
posted on 21/11/19
His contract is until the end of next season. It does, however, have a break clause at the end of this season.
posted on 23/11/19
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 3 days, 3 hours ago
2:2 draw incoming...
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So, so happy right now!