There is a lot more positivity about Arsenal now, but the fact is we have won twice in 16 Premier League games. This leaves us 10 points off 4th and 7 above 18th.
Mr Arteta has had over a month, and 8 games, to settle in and begin to push his ideas on the squad. The performances have been better, and there are encouraging signs. However, it is a results industry and we have just 7 points from 18 possible under Mr Arteta.
Away to Burnley on Sunday, then a short break before we host Newcastle and Everton. We really need 9 points from those three.
We will have Aubameyang back from suspension, but have defensive issues even with the signing of Pablo Mari. Lacazettes form is a worry, but Martinelli and Saka ease that with their recent performances. Xhaka and Torreira are re-establishing a good partnership in midfield, but Ozil and Pepe have not really convinced in the "Arteta-era".
February needs to be a good month for us. We could kill off any relegation battle fears, put ourselves back into the fight for 4th and progress in the Europa (against Greek Giants Olympiakos). This has to be the month where the promise of the Arteta era turns into results.
Time for results.
posted on 30/1/20
Yeah, it's gonna be interesting. I still think 5th is the best we could hope for. It also depends on how Arteta sees the cup games.Europa could be our best chance of silverware and back in Europe. Also,as the top FA cup club ever,we have treat it with respect.One thing is certain though,it's not dull anymore!
posted on 30/1/20
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 48 minutes ago
comment by Anti_Stan_KRONK_ee 88 (58 years since Tottenh... (U1179)
posted 19 minutes ago
Pepe has been immense, don't know what the OP is talking about.
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You have low standards if Pepes performances are considered immense. He is still slowing down lots of attacks, still a one trick pony who loses possession a lot, still making bad choices.
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I disagree with you there dj. One of our biggest issues has been, for the last 3/4 years in fact, the inability to play the ball out from defence under pressure. Thats why teams press us high up the pitch. Pepe has been an effective out ball for us this season. What you consider as slowing the ball down is actually deliberate to allow us to move up as a team as our possession moves higher up the pitch. We have tended to counter attack as individuals in the past. In those circumstance when we lose the ball it comes back just as fast into our own half of the pitch with our midfield/full backs out of position.
posted on 30/1/20
I agree with the OP. Maybe top 4 is out of reach but that doesn't mean we can't try
posted on 30/1/20
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 48 minutes ago
comment by Anti_Stan_KRONK_ee 88 (58 years since Tottenh... (U1179)
posted 19 minutes ago
Pepe has been immense, don't know what the OP is talking about.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
You have low standards if Pepes performances are considered immense. He is still slowing down lots of attacks, still a one trick pony who loses possession a lot, still making bad choices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I disagree with you there dj. One of our biggest issues has been, for the last 3/4 years in fact, the inability to play the ball out from defence under pressure. Thats why teams press us high up the pitch. Pepe has been an effective out ball for us this season. What you consider as slowing the ball down is actually deliberate to allow us to move up as a team as our possession moves higher up the pitch. We have tended to counter attack as individuals in the past. In those circumstance when we lose the ball it comes back just as fast into our own half of the pitch with our midfield/full backs out of position.
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Precisely. Low standards. Lol
posted on 30/1/20
One goal no assists. Immense.
posted on 30/1/20
Don't think 4th is done for either, just feel like a fool admitting it because of our form. Even a 2 or 3 game winning streak would put us right back in it.
posted on 31/1/20
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 10 minutes ago
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By keeping up the intensity for longer would be a good start. We mentally think we are already home and dry and slack back and let the other team back in the game
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Arteta has tried to drop deep when ahead in a compact formation to counter attack. I am not sure what you mean by intensity. Obviously when we push up as a team there is less space between our players so its more likely we win the ball back higher up the pitch. But that is risky because you leave a lot of space behind the CBs.
The problem is that dropping back hasn't worked with Torreira/Xhaka. It did work at Stamford Bridge with Xhaka as a centre back.
I just find think that soft statements like intensity, mental weakness, lacking a leader are an easy criticism by commentators because they actually don't mean anything. I cannot believe our players think when we are ahead "I don't need to run as hard or tackle as hard". They are professional.
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You obviously don't play any type of sports, doesn't matter if you're professional or not you still have to mentally work on still putting in the same intensity when on top in a game.
posted on 31/1/20
comment by Passion Power - Pablo Marí me¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (U8398)
posted 6 hours, 4 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 10 minutes ago
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By keeping up the intensity for longer would be a good start. We mentally think we are already home and dry and slack back and let the other team back in the game
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arteta has tried to drop deep when ahead in a compact formation to counter attack. I am not sure what you mean by intensity. Obviously when we push up as a team there is less space between our players so its more likely we win the ball back higher up the pitch. But that is risky because you leave a lot of space behind the CBs.
The problem is that dropping back hasn't worked with Torreira/Xhaka. It did work at Stamford Bridge with Xhaka as a centre back.
I just find think that soft statements like intensity, mental weakness, lacking a leader are an easy criticism by commentators because they actually don't mean anything. I cannot believe our players think when we are ahead "I don't need to run as hard or tackle as hard". They are professional.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You obviously don't play any type of sports, doesn't matter if you're professional or not you still have to mentally work on still putting in the same intensity when on top in a game.
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So you think our players don't try as hard? Don't you think thats unprofessional?
posted on 31/1/20
You obviously don't play any type of sports
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Ok. if you say so.
posted on 1/2/20
4th is still well possible due to other clubs issues. Can't see us getting it currently though. The sustained winning streak needed to get it, just isn't going to come from us. I get the feeling that by the time Arteta has the team consistent enough to do it, it'll be too late. Not like the other teams are going to all keep stuffing up and just wait for us to find form and catch them.
By all means do our best to get 4th but realistically, the eggs all need to go in the Europa basket.