(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 3)

You gotta laugh at the Saka rumours coming out now. 18 months to run and we're struggling to get him to re-sign.

Brand new kid out of the academy and we already have contractual issues with him, how Arsenal can you get.

Have to say, although it might be agent noise to get him a nice wage on the new contract, the nuts and bolts of it suggest that he is actually a flight risk.

I am assuming he doesn't really want to be a left back, and with Martinelli looking comfortable on the left for us, there isn't a clear path to the starting eleven for him.

On our club's side of it, we aren't sure at all if he's a future starter on the wing for us, his most impressive showings have all been at LB, so we wouldn't want to be chucking decent money at him to stay really. And we've just invested in Tierney at LB, so we don't really want a future where Saka is our no.1 LB, because that means the Tierney signing has flopped. This could end up as one where it's better for all if he left, and I would be gutted if it came to that.

bahaha Laca with the best worst finish! No way were we 4-0 better in the first half. But a different team came out in the second. Saka's meg for the 2nd goal was a thing of beauty. 

i would have taken a 1-nil lol hopefully we can kick on from this. Its been a tough season

Guys...we won. I don't know how to feel.

That Laca finish was the most hilarious finish I have ever seen. Came off that chocolate leg.

Arteta has quite obviously focused on defensive structure first and it's slowly starting to pay off. I believe I saw a stat where we'e conceding 0.8 or so per game under Arteta and it was up to 1.5/1.6 with Emery. That is a huge improvement.

Due to Arteta trying to plug gaps, it was always going to take some time to get better going forward. I still don't think we've quite find *the answer* but it was a lot better v Newcastle - Ceballos made the biggest difference, though I'm still a little uncertain about his ability to be consistent in that regard. Not every team is going to sit as deep as Newcastle, and he seems to struggle in physical tussles.

Anyway, happy to get the win - would've been happier if Spurs didn't manage to nick it! We got a bit of luck today that we haven't got for a while - defending from Newcastle for the 1st goal, Ozil's finish straight into the keeper that dribbled in etc.

Saka quite clearly our most effective player;we need to sign him to a long term deal ASAP. His agent will be licking his lips right now.

Well that was refreshing.

So many good talking points in that game. I was really interested to see this one, after they've had their Dubai camp and everything - pretty much Arteta's own little pre-season.

The selections were a surprise all round. I honestly don't think I expected any of these things;

- Laca dropped

- Martinelli dropped

- Torreira dropped

- Guendouzi not in the squad (is he injured?)

- Mustafi holds his spot ahead of Sokratis/Holding

- Nketiah starts

- Ceballos starts

Pepe starting nearly made this list too.

And I think pretty much every single one of these decisions paid off? To the point that Laca even broke his scoring drought despite being dropped.

Ozil scoring was much needed too.

Saka is getting headlines but come on, he's not really playing as a left back is he. As Valeo mentioned on twitter, he stays forward all the time and Xhaka spends a huge part of the game at left back.

Interesting that we can play with such an attacking formation and yet not give up very many chances, even on the break. Arteta has got this team defending really well at the moment.

For me Ceballos was man of the match, although it's a close call. Pepe, Xhaka, Saka and Ozil could all have made a claim for it too. I think Saka actually got it officially?

Great signs though, great signs. Haven't felt this breezy on a Monday for some time.

Absolutely the biggest impact Arteta has had so far is limiting the spaces between players. We don't have giant gaps in the middle of the park anymore, even when Xhaka vacates his role to cover LB.  

Credit to Ozil in this regard. I still have my issues with him as a creative force, but his defensive work since Arteta came in has been consistently good. 

Agree that it was a huge surprise to see Nketiah and Ceballos start. The rest, I wasn't too surprised by. Personally I thought Nketiah had a good game, though I expect most to think he did not. He worked his ass off, and I thought was very, very unlucky not to score. My only criticism was that chance he got from Pepe 2-0 up where he should've shot instead of cutting in. I also think he linked up quite well.

We've set up to have a prominent left side bias, and it will be interesting how that changes when/if Xhaka and Auba leave as expected. I think we may see Tierney come in and more focus on the right hand side with Bellerin being allowed to overlap with Pepe.

Saka MOTM for me, I thought Ceballos took a while to grow into the game. I'm still not convinced by him, but I think he looks good because he's the closest thing to an 8 we have on the books right now.

Saka basically doing what we hoped Pepe would be. Pepe is still shockingly conservative on the ball at times, unsure if that's instruction or what. To be fair, still got an assist and a goal, so can't say too much. I thought Pepe was a lot better defensively though, a few times he tracked back almost into our box and made good tackles.

re: Guendouzi, from Arteta's comments it sounds like he hasn't been impressed with his attitude in training; he's been impressed with Nketiah, so he started. I like to see that from a manager. 

Pepe's feet are electric. I love his risk-taking when he has it in tight areas, he's not afraid to shimmy in and around multiple defenders instinctively and has a very high success rate when doing so. There was a moment in the 2nd half when he had it in the box, no room, a defender right on him, and he still managed to get around him right on the byline, it was a great piece of skill. He does those things quite a lot. And with his left foot shooting ability he's a huge threat cutting inside, so he really has all the ingredients to be a fullback's worst nightmare.

Mahrez is the king of cutting in but everyone knows it, so they show him the touchline, knowing he doesn't have a huge amount of pace to beat them. Some of the fast tricky wingers can just be shepherded inside if they don't have a great shot on their inside foot. When Pepe really hits high confidence levels the defenders will have no plan available aside from double marking. Show him the touchline, he'll do you on the outside, show him the inside, he'll probably score. I can't wait to see him a year from now.

And yea saw those times he tracked back Valeo, huge difference from Pepe's previous games, he just wasn't doing that before. Refreshing to see. Same with Ozil as well, his defensive work has been noticeable since Arteta's very first game. Actually thought Ozil was very good this morning, before he scored his goal. Just his cleverness with his touches and body-positioning. He can open the game up with the slightest movement.

I thought Nketiah played well as well. And could easily have had two goals - the one off the crossbar, and the one he hit first time straight at the keeper. On another day they both go in, Nketiah normally buries that stuff, he's a great finisher from what I've seen of him.

I thought that this was Ceballos's most complete game for us. Yes it was against a deep and defensive Newcastle. But  had been moved deeper into a deep lying play maker type role and I think it really suited him. He had time to direct things, and most of the time he chose wisely. He had a few nice runs and spread the passing all over the park. he set the tempo, and while in the first half it was very pedestrian, in the it clicked up a few gears and kept Newcastle on the back foot. I hope this is something he can further develop. 

Not sure on Nketiah. I'm not convinced here is ready yet or that he combines well with Auba out wide.  

just on Ozil, he ran over 10km in the match and only Xhaka covered more ground than him from our team. But still got the after match coverage of "he is too lazy"etc, which is bollocks. And the more I see Xhaka in our backline the more I like it ay. Would be pretty happy if he developed into a CB. He would be a Kosc esk type player and would be pretty handy if he had someone stable next to him.  

Yeah, I haven't really said Ozil is lazy for a while - my biggest issue with him has been his lack of attacking output. He did better in that regard.

He's almost turned into a Hleb or a not-as-good-Santi, where he's kind of just linking everyone else together rather than being the old Assist King.

I wonder what's happening with Maitland-Niles.

Arteta initially used him at RB and he looked really good.

Now Bellerin's got that position back, we've signed Soares as his back-up, and Sokratis started at RB this morning when Bellerin was rested and Soares still not fit.

Seems that Arteta has decided Maitland-Niles is not a RB?

He's not getting any kind of sniff in midfield either.

Is this the end of him at Arsenal? I quite like him and he's very versatile, I would be disappointed if that's the case, but I do trust in Arteta 100% so will watch with interest.

I also found it interesting that with Pepe rested, Aubameyang was shifted to the right to accommodate Martinelli.

Does it feel like Arteta is preparing for life without Aubameyang?

When Lacazette got dropped at the weekend, Auba stayed left and Nketiah came in. Now Auba gets shifted to the right so that Laca and Martinelli can play in their established positions (well semi-established for Martinelli, as apparently he too is a striker by trade).

It feels like Arteta is committed to starting Auba, but he fits him around the other players, rather than the other way round. This makes us less reliant on him, and means that were he to go, our players would already be used to life in their established roles. With no Auba we'd be like this in the front 3 next season most probably;

                          Lacazette/Nketiah

Martinelli/Saka      Ozil/Willock     Pepe/Nelson

I love Auba and he brings many goals, but I'd be ok with the above. Sell Auba and spend that coin on a CM and a CB?

I think his theory was that Auba is better at tracking back and would cover Sokratis lack of pace at RB. In my opinion; it was a bad decision. It blunted our attack completely. When Auba moved back to the left, we looked so much better.

Tough game this morning, but very happy to get the win. I thought we looked pretty solid except for the opening 10-15 where Olympiakos dominated. They're really good at home, so that wasn't unexpected.

A lot of people are bitching about Lacazette and he did miss a chance - but eh, he scored in an important European away tie and we move on. That's all you want from him in the end.

Also, how good is Saka?! You know a player is good when the team is under the pump but he still manages to find a way to push his ahead above water. He was good all game.

The Emirates is back and humming boys, much nicer being there for wins as opposed to the dark days of September - December.

Slowly making progress up the table, only 4 points off 5th now, and 7 points off 4th. With Sp*rs missing Kane & Son they'll likely struggle for goals. United are still inconsistent. Wolves are managing Europa League too which may expose their depth. Sheffield is the one I'm most worried about as they only have the league & FA cup to manage.

I think we're in for a very interesting run in, here's hoping Arteta gets the team to show more mettle than the boys did 12 months ago.

It's been much better. Everton game showed a few of the old defensive frailties, particularly from set-pieces, but we got through in the end. If we're being fair, then a draw probably would've been more reflective of how the actual game went.

I like this whole 'winning' thing and I think we should keep doing it. Controversial opinion, I know.

Regarding top 4, I still don't think we've got a chance. Man Utd made a very astute signing in Fernandes - he's slotted in extremely well, and I think will be the impetus for them to solidify that spot.

I feel like Spurs will keep tumbling though.

Yea I'm not getting too excited about our top 4 prospects (or top 5 if Man City's appeal goes nowhere).

We have an ok run of games at the minute, but after that we have an extremely tough run-in, I can't see it happening myself.

The Everton win was better than we think. They are a transformed team. They will knock over plenty of sides in their remaining games, in fact they should do us some favours as they play a few teams around us.

CAPTAIN!!!! 

ah shark

....Luiz....

oh and now Auba missed.... oh what the fudge....

Away goals rule sucks.  The away team in the second leg gets an extra half hour to score an away goal which penalises the home team.

It should be like the MLS Play-offs where it doesn't apply if it goes to extra time.

That was soul crushing. I'll be muting all Arsenal for a couple of days..

Well that was less than ideal....

But the home team gets an extra 30 minutes in front of their own crowd.

I'd take the 2nd home leg every time.

I wouldn't in the Europa League, our stadiums full of tourists who don't sing and only about 25% capacity. It's no fortress.

This only applies for EPL games - the stadiums awful of Europa League nights. The lack of atmosphere in the group stages was off set but the youngsters crushing it. This was obviously not the case on Thursday.

The fact that I could go from my usual spot in the upper tear near the goal to a spare seat 15 rows back just to the right of half way behind the away team bench tells you how empty it is.

Gold premier league trophies arent for everyone. 

#invincibles

Any one else just found out how much they like Watford? I absoluetly love them!

Holy fudge just saw the result. Unbeaten record lives on another season. Where were Liverpool's "cojones?"

Haha... neither are champions league trophies.

I love how the small crumb given to Arsenal fans has made us forget about Olympiakos already. Sums up the the life of a football fan.

More importantly, Man Utd drew and Spurs lost. Now, this is assuming Wolves aren't actually the bigger threat anyway, but this *in theory* gives us a chance to get closer to the CL spots. We just have to, you know, not fudge it up.

Man City winning the League Cup and their possible CL ban has further implications for the Europa League places as long as City finish in the top four. Would that mean that 6th & 7th will qualify for EL now if City are banned and 5th place gets CL. The other place going to the FA Cup winners.

Pompey have got this.... Gooners better concentrate on the league ;-)

Wouldn't be surprised. We'll have to put out our 2nd team, and we'll be feeling pretty fudgeing dejected post Europa League.

Best night I ever had at a Europa League game was the Cologne game where there were 25,000 odd of them. Was very funny watching people round me rip off Arsenal kit and celebrate wildly when they went 1 up.

A comfortable win over Portsmouth this morning. A potential banana skin avoided whilst playing in our retro bruised banana shirts :)

Hopefully Torreira's injury isn't too bad.

Although it does seem that under Arteta, he's 4th choice for the two midfield roles. Ceballos has become a starter out of nowhere and looks really comfortable with Xhaka, and Guendouzi seems to be the next cab off the rank, aside from that disciplinary issue last week. Torreira seems entrenched as 4th choice now? If he is out for a while we could see AMN get a chance in midfield perhaps?

What I don't like under both Arteta and Emery is the lack of freedom our midfielders have to make runs into the box. When you have teams sitting deep like a lot of our opponents do having a runnner from midfield, ala Ramsey, opens things up. I don't believe this is all down to Ramsey leaving but specific tactical instructions. Especially in matches when Ozil doesn't start I'd like to see someone from our midfield instructed to do this to try create more space for our forwards to work with, or get on the end of a cross.

Nelson was absolute quality last night - hopefully he gets a few more chances as he offers a great alternative to Pepe or Auba down the wing.

Realise this time it was caused by a dangerous scissor tackle but a possible 4th ACL injury to a first team player in the space of a year is ridiculous. I don't pretend to know much about ligaments so is there something we're doing, perhaps in training, that makes our players weaker or more susceptible to these kind of injuries or is it purely bad luck?

3 losses in the last 4 games for Liverpool. Wheels starting to fall off? A stick that's often used to beat down our unbeaten season, particularly by Liverpool fans recently, is that we still lost the biggest games of the season and didn't win the cups. Looking like Liverpool will now be settling for the same, without being unbeaten in the league