The elephant in the room

comment by You Can't Buy Class - IDHT2EU (U12019)
posted 24 minutes ago
Jenius, don't you think it could be related to this: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/12/26/exclusive-arsenal-squad-split-mesut-ozil-return-senior-group/ ? If you can't read it refresh and then hit the stop button very fast before the popup.appears.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Honestly I don't. Mustafi is almost out of the door. So are Sokratis and Ozil. Luiz only signed a one year extension and I doubt he will be offered another one with Chambers, Mari, Holding, Saliba, Gabriel all fit. Even if Arteta/Edu's intention is to send Saliba on loan for another season. So what would be the point in creating any trouble? Its not as if they care one way or another of being relegated when they are not involved! And as most of them want to continue playing why would they create trouble knowing that prospective clubs/ managers look for that as a negative even on a free signing?

And do we really think auba has been injured?

It's all very curious. The one player who has time left on his contract and has been linked with Luiz as a possible stirrer is Willian and he's been playing non stop. Maybe he doesn't like how he's been asked to play and thought he was coming here for an easy ride/semi retirement home.

comment by Tu Meke - AinsleyForRightBack (U3732)
posted 37 seconds ago
And do we really think auba has been injured?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I do yes. He was also on the bench yesterday.

And Jenius, why have there been so many reports of division in the squad from multiple sources. Certainly doesn't feel like there would be smoke without fire to me, my prime suspect is Ozil though.

I think at times we overreach as a fanbase to avoid pointing fingers at the real culprit when players under perform. That is the manager. Players showed yesterday that they can play so well that they can overpower a Champions League/Title challenging side.

Everton are second with Ancelloti as manager. Their squad is weaker than ours. Though Arteta won a cup in his first season our league form has got worse under him.

I think the reason for the reports is that players are just as lost as to why they are not getting the results. And when they have reputations to lose they try to shift blame just like Arteta has done for months now. This why you need big 'names' or 'personalities' managing big clubs. They stop this from happening. Do you think Mourinho or Pep or Klopp would have allowed the results to get so bad that suddenly players opinions became more important than theirs?

I honestly don't care if they are sick or or not as long as they never start for us again especially Willian. I think we still need another top top CB to partner Gabriel and we should be looking to shift some players in January or in the summer. Luiz, Ozil, Mustafi and Sokratis are out of contract. Ceballos can go back to Madrid. If we can shift out Kolasinac and one of Chambers/Holding, I'll be happy. Sell Bellerin as well and bring in a young hungry player like Max Aarons. Cedric has a long term contract and doubt he'll want to leave...so he can deputize. I think we are stuck with Willian and Pepe.

That will mean a good 8 players who underperform or are surplus to what we need are out. Then we focus on getting the 4 or 5 players who can improve this team.

Both overdid the Xmas celebrations, called in the morning saying they are 'sick'. We've all been there.

Happy New Year, let's hope!

comment by GunaDave (U7710)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
Both overdid the Xmas celebrations, called in the morning saying they are 'sick'. We've all been there.

Happy New Year, let's hope!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the most plausible explanation yet.

comment by Giröulski Alt-153 and Alt-160 forever (U14971)
posted 1 day, 19 hours ago
comment by GunaDave (U7710)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
Both overdid the Xmas celebrations, called in the morning saying they are 'sick'. We've all been there.

Happy New Year, let's hope!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the most plausible explanation yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly. The conspiracy theories over every little decision are madness. As fans we should all just be really happy that neither is starting and leave it at that. What do we care what the reason is for a pair of liabilities not getting the chance to cause a bad result. Fan response SHOULD simply be "Thank feck, they're out. I'ma cross my fingers that others shine like Jesus's star so they can't get back in." And to post on every SM platform they personally use, just how happy we all are to see them gone and Arteta should keep it that way.

Maine

"Stuck with" Willian. Have faith, Pepe will make you happy he's here.

Wouldn't shift Ceballos without trying him in an out and out advanced CAM role and freedom for his attackers,m as we saw the other day. We should look to hold fire on Chambers for now too. If he can return to the form he was in before his injury, he's easily good enough to remain. Not so sure about Holding, could still be considered early but for me he was looking the weeker of the two as they got injured anyway and he looks a shadow of his pre-injury form. Still not sure if he's actually lost a step or just his confidence. The worry of a repeat injury ( or other knee a la Welbeck) must be quite har to get by if you're not that nutter mentality. I think Chambers will come good, he's always had more bottle and likes physicality.