The Arsenal FC - Related News and Development for 2019/2020

[azuka]

I defend Emery because he must be given a chance, and because he is a winner. He won the Eurooa league and won in France. He did it at Sevilla with a tight budget. I am sticking with him because I believe in him.

However, do not underestimate the numbers that have turned against Emery and the growing numbers turning against him on social media. Today, despite our defence of Emery, you gave to admit his mistakes too and you must also acknowledge the pressure is on him. If he loses to Spuds, he will be in serious trouble.

There is a growing numbers of Arsenal fans who are expressing their frustrations at the coach for what they see as a terrible defensive side with a conservative coach. The fact is, most of the time we park the bus, we actually get embarrassed.

Already some of my Arsenal supporting friends who know their football are saying to me that, Arsenal this season are going to be the same as last season with a little bit more cutting edge if Pepe comes good.

They are already moaning that, there will be no consistent entertaining football and we will never dominate opponents with Emery as coach. I say to them, it is too early to make any conclusions.

Do not dismiss these concerns, they are not just the concerns of a few, they are the concerns of a large sections of the support in social media.

Given a chance till thy kingdom come? See this is where we disagree. In the middle of his 20 plus match unbeaten run, i broke ranks with Emery. I told you guys he's not it. Now you are seeing it. Give Emery a chance for ever, the end result will be Arsenal dropping to Emery's level which is outside the top 7/8.
And please stop throwing this he won the Europa League in our face. Yeah he won the Europa League. Yeah he got us to the finals last year? But have you stopped to ask yourself how many of the teams competing in the Europa league are EPL top 6 quality? Last year we qualified for the final and when we met an EPL top 6 team we lost. If that's not an eye opener on Emery what is.
During the week we discussed exhaustively on tactics for this match. Can you in all honesty say you know what tactics Emery adopted for this match? Immediately i saw the line-up i gave up because i knew we are in for a long night. Is Ceballos a winger now? Why did he not start Laca maybe as usual he would have conjured a goal. Honestly i feel for our the players out there today. They gave their best but our coach let them down big time.
Throwing 11 players onto the pitch without any tactical plan or a clueless one can only work with some lower 10 EPL team. But when teams of comparable quality meet like we seen today the coach makes the difference. In 10 years time with Emery at the top and Klopp on the opposing side, the result will always be the same because hasn't got it.

The good thing today is the usual scapegoats we all vent our anger on didn't play. It's Emery's team and 14 months and counting we are still the way we were. No impact of Emery on the team except his hoofing and puffing on the touchline.

[Sleaky72]

If you want 2 be fair and objective his tactics were actually pretty sound and they confused and stifled Liverpool, especially in the first half. The Liverpool players during exit interviews admitted as much to it. His diamond in the midfield totally confounded Liverpool as they admitted that they were unprepared for it and practiced for something else all wk. Where he failed totally was in his use of personnel. Slow, plodding Xhaka played his heart out but his technical and physical limitations totally hindered the whole strategy. Love DCeb but he was so clearly out of his depth. Young Guendozi was the only one who seemed up for the battle but in a game like this you needed all three plus Willock to be firing at their optimum. The answer would have been for the same formation with Torreira in place of Xhaka and Guendo pushed further forward and Willock dropping back. In the first half the Scousers created next to nothing save for a goal via a blatant foul by Van Dijk and a horrible give away by DCeb. Anyway we shall what comes of Emery in the coming games. A line up with a healthy Bellerin, Tierney and Holding is a whole different Ball game. And who knows what the story would have been had Auba and Pepe finished off two sitters.

I defend Emery because he must be given a chance, and because he is a winner. He won the Eurooa league and won in France. He did it at Sevilla with a tight budget. I am sticking with him because I believe in him.

However, do not underestimate the numbers that have turned against Emery and the growing numbers turning against him on social media. Today, despite our defence of Emery, you gave to admit his mistakes too and you must also acknowledge the pressure is on him. If he loses to Spuds, he will be in serious trouble.

There is a growing numbers of Arsenal fans who are expressing their frustrations at the coach for what they see as a terrible defensive side with a conservative coach. The fact is, most of the time we park the bus, we actually get embarrassed.

Already some of my Arsenal supporting friends who know their football are saying to me that, Arsenal this season are going to be the same as last season with a little bit more cutting edge if Pepe comes good.

They are already moaning that, there will be no consistent entertaining football and we will never dominate opponents with Emery as coach. I say to them, it is too early to make any conclusions.

Do not dismiss these concerns, they are not just the concerns of a few, they are the concerns of a large sections of the support in social media.

Given a chance till thy kingdom come? See this is where we disagree. In the middle of his 20 plus match unbeaten run, i broke ranks with Emery. I told you guys he's not it. Now you are seeing it. Give Emery a chance for ever, the end result will be Arsenal dropping to Emery's level which is outside the top 7/8.
And please stop throwing this he won the Europa League in our face. Yeah he won the Europa League. Yeah he got us to the finals last year? But have you stopped to ask yourself how many of the teams competing in the Europa league are EPL top 6 quality? Last year we qualified for the final and when we met an EPL top 6 team we lost. If that's not an eye opener on Emery what is.
During the week we discussed exhaustively on tactics for this match. Can you in all honesty say you know what tactics Emery adopted for this match? Immediately i saw the line-up i gave up because i knew we are in for a long night. Is Ceballos a winger now? Why did he not start Laca maybe as usual he would have conjured a goal. Honestly i feel for our the players out there today. They gave their best but our coach let them down big time.
Throwing 11 players onto the pitch without any tactical plan or a clueless one can only work with some lower 10 EPL team. But when teams of comparable quality meet like we seen today the coach makes the difference. In 10 years time with Emery at the top and Klopp on the opposing side, the result will always be the same because hasn't got it.

The good thing today is the usual scapegoats we all vent our anger on didn't play. It's Emery's team and 14 months and counting we are still the way we were. No impact of Emery on the team except his hoofing and puffing on the touchline.

[azuka]

If you want 2 be fair and objective his tactics were actually pretty sound and they confused and stifled Liverpool, especially in the first half. The Liverpool players during exit interviews admitted as much to it. His diamond in the midfield totally confounded Liverpool as they admitted that they were unprepared for it and practiced for something else all wk. Where he failed totally was in his use of personnel. Slow, plodding Xhaka played his heart out but his technical and physical limitations totally hindered the whole strategy. Love DCeb but he was so clearly out of his depth. Young Guendozi was the only one who seemed up for the battle but in a game like this you needed all three plus Willock to be firing at their optimum. The answer would have been for the same formation with Torreira in place of Xhaka and Guendo pushed further forward and Willock dropping back. In the first half the Scousers created next to nothing save for a goal via a blatant foul by Van Dijk and a horrible give away by DCeb. Anyway we shall what comes of Emery in the coming games. A line up with a healthy Bellerin, Tierney and Holding is a whole different Ball game. And who knows what the story would have been had Auba and Pepe finished off two sitters.

I defend Emery because he must be given a chance, and because he is a winner. He won the Eurooa league and won in France. He did it at Sevilla with a tight budget. I am sticking with him because I believe in him.

However, do not underestimate the numbers that have turned against Emery and the growing numbers turning against him on social media. Today, despite our defence of Emery, you gave to admit his mistakes too and you must also acknowledge the pressure is on him. If he loses to Spuds, he will be in serious trouble.

There is a growing numbers of Arsenal fans who are expressing their frustrations at the coach for what they see as a terrible defensive side with a conservative coach. The fact is, most of the time we park the bus, we actually get embarrassed.

Already some of my Arsenal supporting friends who know their football are saying to me that, Arsenal this season are going to be the same as last season with a little bit more cutting edge if Pepe comes good.

They are already moaning that, there will be no consistent entertaining football and we will never dominate opponents with Emery as coach. I say to them, it is too early to make any conclusions.

Do not dismiss these concerns, they are not just the concerns of a few, they are the concerns of a large sections of the support in social media.

Given a chance till thy kingdom come? See this is where we disagree. In the middle of his 20 plus match unbeaten run, i broke ranks with Emery. I told you guys he's not it. Now you are seeing it. Give Emery a chance for ever, the end result will be Arsenal dropping to Emery's level which is outside the top 7/8.
And please stop throwing this he won the Europa League in our face. Yeah he won the Europa League. Yeah he got us to the finals last year? But have you stopped to ask yourself how many of the teams competing in the Europa league are EPL top 6 quality? Last year we qualified for the final and when we met an EPL top 6 team we lost. If that's not an eye opener on Emery what is.
During the week we discussed exhaustively on tactics for this match. Can you in all honesty say you know what tactics Emery adopted for this match? Immediately i saw the line-up i gave up because i knew we are in for a long night. Is Ceballos a winger now? Why did he not start Laca maybe as usual he would have conjured a goal. Honestly i feel for our the players out there today. They gave their best but our coach let them down big time.
Throwing 11 players onto the pitch without any tactical plan or a clueless one can only work with some lower 10 EPL team. But when teams of comparable quality meet like we seen today the coach makes the difference. In 10 years time with Emery at the top and Klopp on the opposing side, the result will always be the same because hasn't got it.

The good thing today is the usual scapegoats we all vent our anger on didn't play. It's Emery's team and 14 months and counting we are still the way we were. No impact of Emery on the team except his hoofing and puffing on the touchline.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... rpool.html

[Sleaky72]

Speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold detailed the Reds’ preparations and how Klopp and his backroom staff had anticipated a different Arsenal side.

“We prepared for them to go with another system,” the right-back said, with the Gunners fielding a 4-4-2 diamond.

“They were really narrow and it allowed me and Robbo a lot of space and freedom, and [we] were allowed to cross the ball as much as possible.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alexander-Arnold added that Liverpool were “surprised to have that much space,” and that made it “tough” as they took a repetitive approach throughout the opening 45 minutes.

“We worked all week in breaking that midfield line, and we though we’d have to really stretch the pitch out,” he explained.

“It was a case of them tucking really narrow and us two getting the ball and trying to find people in the box.

“It was tough because the two centre-halves were really in the middle.”

Though the Reds went into half-time with a one-goal lead, Klopp prompted a change of tack after the break, using video analysis and tactical nous to thwart Arsenal‘s low block.

“The gaffer showed us a bit of [footage] at half-time and we could stretch them, with Mo, Bobby and Sadio, and get it into feet,” Alexander-Arnold continued.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“They probably set up knowing that we were going to cross it, they were ready.

“[Against] other teams we try to create the yard and cross it from in front. The gaffer said to us at half-time, if we get a runner down we can get the ball down the outside.

“[For Salah’s first], Hendo takes the ball out the way and I’m able to play it into Bobby and we got the pen.

“That was the idea, to drag a centre-half out and not allow them to stay in and head the ball away.”

This attacking shift may not have been possible without forwards of the quality of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Alexander-Arnold hailed the trio as “a defender’s worst nightmare.”

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/08/t ... ime-words/

Mr. Azuka, I’d rather go by what I saw and what the opposing teams players say, rather than the slanted views of Lifelong Arsenal haters. Ur of course more than entitled to disagree and to your opinions but I’m just throwing my point out there. I appreciate sharing opposing POV without the childish and tedious tone so many supposed grown men seem to take here. I’ll happily give you the last word. But remember Auba and Pepe had two clear breaks on goal and fluffed them. And Auba had an open net and missed as well. Those tactics were spot on, but two moments of David a Luiz madness and missed sitters clearly derailed the team.

[azuka]

Speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold detailed the Reds’ preparations and how Klopp and his backroom staff had anticipated a different Arsenal side.

“We prepared for them to go with another system,” the right-back said, with the Gunners fielding a 4-4-2 diamond.

“They were really narrow and it allowed me and Robbo a lot of space and freedom, and [we] were allowed to cross the ball as much as possible.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alexander-Arnold added that Liverpool were “surprised to have that much space,” and that made it “tough” as they took a repetitive approach throughout the opening 45 minutes.

“We worked all week in breaking that midfield line, and we though we’d have to really stretch the pitch out,” he explained.

“It was a case of them tucking really narrow and us two getting the ball and trying to find people in the box.

“It was tough because the two centre-halves were really in the middle.”

Though the Reds went into half-time with a one-goal lead, Klopp prompted a change of tack after the break, using video analysis and tactical nous to thwart Arsenal‘s low block.

“The gaffer showed us a bit of [footage] at half-time and we could stretch them, with Mo, Bobby and Sadio, and get it into feet,” Alexander-Arnold continued.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“They probably set up knowing that we were going to cross it, they were ready.

“[Against] other teams we try to create the yard and cross it from in front. The gaffer said to us at half-time, if we get a runner down we can get the ball down the outside.

“[For Salah’s first], Hendo takes the ball out the way and I’m able to play it into Bobby and we got the pen.

“That was the idea, to drag a centre-half out and not allow them to stay in and head the ball away.”

This attacking shift may not have been possible without forwards of the quality of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Alexander-Arnold hailed the trio as “a defender’s worst nightmare.”

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/08/t ... ime-words/

Mr. Azuka, I’d rather go by what I saw and what the opposing teams players say, rather than the slanted views of Lifelong Arsenal haters. Ur of course more than entitled to disagree and to your opinions but I’m just throwing my point out there. I appreciate sharing opposing POV without the childish and tedious tone so many supposed grown men seem to take here. I’ll happily give you the last word.

Me too bro.
The point is this, you are taking this match in isolation. Did you watch the match against Newcastle? How many chances did we create? Or the match against Burnley? How many matches did we create? Is there anything positive about our play apart from the individual efforts that led to those goals and the wins? We won those matches simply because of the superior quality of our players on the pitch vis-a-vis those of Burnley and Newcastle. But when we met Liverpool a team of similar quality to ours we all saw the result.
People like Waffi talk about giving Emery time. I have no problem with that. However though we don't know tomorrow we know yesterday. The question here is, after 14 months on the seat as our coach, how many here believe from what they have seen of Emery sentiments apart, that he has what it takes to get us there. Wherever there is?
I for one don't. And i got to this stage during Emery's 22 match unbeaten. Rather what i see facing us is that come May 2020 with Emery on the seat, we would have lost our top 6 position rather than being in the top 4. Every time this thought crosses my mind, i pray I am wrong, but I have seen nothing so far of Emery this season to say i am wrong.

[Sleaky72]

Speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold detailed the Reds’ preparations and how Klopp and his backroom staff had anticipated a different Arsenal side.

“We prepared for them to go with another system,” the right-back said, with the Gunners fielding a 4-4-2 diamond.

“They were really narrow and it allowed me and Robbo a lot of space and freedom, and [we] were allowed to cross the ball as much as possible.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alexander-Arnold added that Liverpool were “surprised to have that much space,” and that made it “tough” as they took a repetitive approach throughout the opening 45 minutes.

“We worked all week in breaking that midfield line, and we though we’d have to really stretch the pitch out,” he explained.

“It was a case of them tucking really narrow and us two getting the ball and trying to find people in the box.

“It was tough because the two centre-halves were really in the middle.”

Though the Reds went into half-time with a one-goal lead, Klopp prompted a change of tack after the break, using video analysis and tactical nous to thwart Arsenal‘s low block.

“The gaffer showed us a bit of [footage] at half-time and we could stretch them, with Mo, Bobby and Sadio, and get it into feet,” Alexander-Arnold continued.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“They probably set up knowing that we were going to cross it, they were ready.

“[Against] other teams we try to create the yard and cross it from in front. The gaffer said to us at half-time, if we get a runner down we can get the ball down the outside.

“[For Salah’s first], Hendo takes the ball out the way and I’m able to play it into Bobby and we got the pen.

“That was the idea, to drag a centre-half out and not allow them to stay in and head the ball away.”

This attacking shift may not have been possible without forwards of the quality of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Alexander-Arnold hailed the trio as “a defender’s worst nightmare.”

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/08/t ... ime-words/

Mr. Azuka, I’d rather go by what I saw and what the opposing teams players say, rather than the slanted views of Lifelong Arsenal haters. Ur of course more than entitled to disagree and to your opinions but I’m just throwing my point out there. I appreciate sharing opposing POV without the childish and tedious tone so many supposed grown men seem to take here. I’ll happily give you the last word.

Me too bro.
The point is this, you are taking this match in isolation. Did you watch the match against Newcastle? How many chances did we create? Or the match against Burnley? How many matches did we create? Is there anything positive about our play apart from the individual efforts that led to those goals and the wins? We won those matches simply because of the superior quality of our players on the pitch vis-a-vis those of Burnley and Newcastle. But when we met Liverpool a team of similar quality to ours we all saw the result.
People like Waffi talk about giving Emery time. I have no problem with that. However though we don't know tomorrow we know yesterday. The question here is, after 14 months on the seat as our coach, how many here believe from what they have seen of Emery sentiments apart, that he has what it takes to get us there. Wherever there is?
I for one don't. And i got to this stage during Emery's 22 match unbeaten. Rather what i see facing us is that come May 2020 with Emery on the seat, we would have lost our top 6 position rather than being in the top 4. Every time this thought crosses my mind, i pray I am wrong, but I have seen nothing so far of Emery this season to say i am wrong.

Emery, unlike The Prof, seems to adapt his team to their opposition, while Coach Wenger believed in playing his way regardless of who was on the opposing side. Today Arsenal created more clear cut chances than two of the previous games this season. I’d also say that there is no way that I’d put Arsenal and Liverpool on the same level of being of “similar quality”. They have been built over years and have the key players where they are needed. Give Klopp Arsenal’s defense and see if they’d be any diff from the team that barely managed to make it as a top four team before Van Dijk and Allison. Emery is a frustrating coach but it should be noted that he was at fault for the people he put on the field rather than his game plan. And I can bet you that when Liverpool lose this season, don’t be surprised if the seeds weren’t sown from the game plan opposing coaches stole from Emery’s playbook. The blueprint to beating Liverpool is out there. The execution from the players is all that’s needed.

[slyk]

Speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold detailed the Reds’ preparations and how Klopp and his backroom staff had anticipated a different Arsenal side.

“We prepared for them to go with another system,” the right-back said, with the Gunners fielding a 4-4-2 diamond.

“They were really narrow and it allowed me and Robbo a lot of space and freedom, and [we] were allowed to cross the ball as much as possible.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alexander-Arnold added that Liverpool were “surprised to have that much space,” and that made it “tough” as they took a repetitive approach throughout the opening 45 minutes.

“We worked all week in breaking that midfield line, and we though we’d have to really stretch the pitch out,” he explained.

“It was a case of them tucking really narrow and us two getting the ball and trying to find people in the box.

“It was tough because the two centre-halves were really in the middle.”

Though the Reds went into half-time with a one-goal lead, Klopp prompted a change of tack after the break, using video analysis and tactical nous to thwart Arsenal‘s low block.

“The gaffer showed us a bit of [footage] at half-time and we could stretch them, with Mo, Bobby and Sadio, and get it into feet,” Alexander-Arnold continued.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 24, 2019: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp (L) and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“They probably set up knowing that we were going to cross it, they were ready.

“[Against] other teams we try to create the yard and cross it from in front. The gaffer said to us at half-time, if we get a runner down we can get the ball down the outside.

“[For Salah’s first], Hendo takes the ball out the way and I’m able to play it into Bobby and we got the pen.

“That was the idea, to drag a centre-half out and not allow them to stay in and head the ball away.”

This attacking shift may not have been possible without forwards of the quality of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, and Alexander-Arnold hailed the trio as “a defender’s worst nightmare.”

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/08/t ... ime-words/

Mr. Azuka, I’d rather go by what I saw and what the opposing teams players say, rather than the slanted views of Lifelong Arsenal haters. Ur of course more than entitled to disagree and to your opinions but I’m just throwing my point out there. I appreciate sharing opposing POV without the childish and tedious tone so many supposed grown men seem to take here. I’ll happily give you the last word.

Me too bro.
The point is this, you are taking this match in isolation. Did you watch the match against Newcastle? How many chances did we create? Or the match against Burnley? How many matches did we create? Is there anything positive about our play apart from the individual efforts that led to those goals and the wins? We won those matches simply because of the superior quality of our players on the pitch vis-a-vis those of Burnley and Newcastle. But when we met Liverpool a team of similar quality to ours we all saw the result.
People like Waffi talk about giving Emery time. I have no problem with that. However though we don't know tomorrow we know yesterday. The question here is, after 14 months on the seat as our coach, how many here believe from what they have seen of Emery sentiments apart, that he has what it takes to get us there. Wherever there is?
I for one don't. And i got to this stage during Emery's 22 match unbeaten. Rather what i see facing us is that come May 2020 with Emery on the seat, we would have lost our top 6 position rather than being in the top 4. Every time this thought crosses my mind, i pray I am wrong, but I have seen nothing so far of Emery this season to say i am wrong.

Emery, unlike The Prof, seems to adapt his team to their opposition, while Coach Wenger believed in playing his way regardless of who was on the opposing side. Today Arsenal created more clear cut chances than two of the previous games this season. I’d also say that there is no way that I’d put Arsenal and Liverpool on the same level of being of “similar quality”. They have been built over years and have the key players where they are needed. Give Klopp Arsenal’s defense and see if they’d be any diff from the team that barely managed to make it as a top four team before Van Dijk and Allison. Emery is a frustrating coach but it should be noted that he was at fault for the people he put on the field rather than his game plan. And I can bet you that when Liverpool lose this season, don’t be surprised if the seeds weren’t sown from the game plan opposing coaches stole from Emery’s playbook. The blueprint to beating Liverpool is out there. The execution from the players is all that’s needed.

Spot on. Unfortunate that people tend to let their biases and prejudices come to the fore when a bad result happens. Like you said, Emery was on point tactically but the Arsenal were let down by atrocious finishing (Pepe and Auba) and bone-headed defending (David Luiz). I really like the comment "And I can bet you that when Liverpool lose this season, don’t be surprised if the seeds weren’t sown from the game plan opposing coaches stole from Emery’s playbook. The blueprint to beating Liverpool is out there. The execution from the players is all that’s needed"

[Tunisian Gooner]

I defend Emery because he must be given a chance, and because he is a winner. He won the Eurooa league and won in France. He did it at Sevilla with a tight budget. I am sticking with him because I believe in him.

However, do not underestimate the numbers that have turned against Emery and the growing numbers turning against him on social media. Today, despite our defence of Emery, you gave to admit his mistakes too and you must also acknowledge the pressure is on him. If he loses to Spuds, he will be in serious trouble.

There is a growing numbers of Arsenal fans who are expressing their frustrations at the coach for what they see as a terrible defensive side with a conservative coach. The fact is, most of the time we park the bus, we actually get embarrassed.

Already some of my Arsenal supporting friends who know their football are saying to me that, Arsenal this season are going to be the same as last season with a little bit more cutting edge if Pepe comes good.

They are already moaning that, there will be no consistent entertaining football and we will never dominate opponents with Emery as coach. I say to them, it is too early to make any conclusions.

Do not dismiss these concerns, they are not just the concerns of a few, they are the concerns of a large sections of the support in social media.

Given a chance till thy kingdom come? See this is where we disagree. In the middle of his 20 plus match unbeaten run, i broke ranks with Emery. I told you guys he's not it. Now you are seeing it. Give Emery a chance for ever, the end result will be Arsenal dropping to Emery's level which is outside the top 7/8.
And please stop throwing this he won the Europa League in our face. Yeah he won the Europa League. Yeah he got us to the finals last year? But have you stopped to ask yourself how many of the teams competing in the Europa league are EPL top 6 quality? Last year we qualified for the final and when we met an EPL top 6 team we lost. If that's not an eye opener on Emery what is.
During the week we discussed exhaustively on tactics for this match. Can you in all honesty say you know what tactics Emery adopted for this match? Immediately i saw the line-up i gave up because i knew we are in for a long night. Is Ceballos a winger now? Why did he not start Laca maybe as usual he would have conjured a goal. Honestly i feel for our the players out there today. They gave their best but our coach let them down big time.
Throwing 11 players onto the pitch without any tactical plan or a clueless one can only work with some lower 10 EPL team. But when teams of comparable quality meet like we seen today the coach makes the difference. In 10 years time with Emery at the top and Klopp on the opposing side, the result will always be the same because hasn't got it.

The good thing today is the usual scapegoats we all vent our anger on didn't play. It's Emery's team and 14 months and counting we are still the way we were. No impact of Emery on the team except his hoofing and puffing on the touchline.

Tactics not the issue yesterday.

Emery had clear game plan at Anfield.

Let Liverpool FB's have freedom of space and time, condense Liverpool ability in and around 18 yard box, force either Fullback to breakdown Arsenal via crosses and punish Liverpool via the counter. Unfortunately when playing that conservatively vs a side like Liverpool it is paramount you take your chances, Pepe and Auba misses in 1st and 2nd half were killer blows.

What Emery must rectify is Arsenal off the ball execution. Emery is 14 months in and Arsenal off the ball still as error prone as they have ever been. Off the ball Arsenal still habitually fall asleep at the most inopportune times. Basic responsibilities abdicated on corner that led to Matip goal, Luiz just brain dead on foul that led to PK and being left for dead by Salah on goal to make it 3-0.

If Emery wants to employ tactical flexibility card, be a manager who has built a squad that on dime can exploit opposition short comings that will bode well for him and the Arsenal but...he will never get to that point if off the ball Arsenal struggle to get basic fundamentals spot on. Arsenal still a side prone to implosion, Arsenal still a team where opposition does not have to play near it's peak form to create chances and score goals, they can just sit back, maintain their shape and wait for Arsenal to gift goals.

That must change posthaste.

[Waffiman]

My bro, Emery had a plan which worked until we gave them a present from a corner kick. My views on man marking on corners with the players we have are well known.

Whatever you and I think of his defensive approach, the point is he tried something which even the Liverpool players admitted caught them by surprise.

Would it have been our approach or personnel? No. But, we have to be fair and give him some credit for trying something different. Who knows if we had taken one of the chances we had?

Emery now has his players and team. He has played 3 games and they are still settling and gelling as a team. I will not judge them yet. After 10 games, let's see where we at? You are a fair person, notwithstanding what you and many see as his short comings, he needs time. Pepe showed us some tantalising glimpses. His choices in that midfield was where Emery got it wrong, plus his Laca decision.

Emery is over analysing the whole thing. Yet more tinkering and changes. Why play a system you have never played before? There comes a point when you believe in yourself and how you want to play. Too much changing has its negatives. Perhaps one such negative is our work without the ball. I talked about giving chances and shots at goal. Emery must get his team to improve on this part of the game, or he will not be around for much longer.

But I saw some good things for this season going forward. Liverpool are a top team, we must not forget that. However with better choices in that midfield as platform for our front 3, we will be a serious title contending team once again, be it with or without Emery.

With Emery right now, it is looking more like 50/50 with the fanbase. This forum seems to be reflecting this. The next few games will be crucial for the man.

I defend Emery because he must be given a chance, and because he is a winner. He won the Eurooa league and won in France. He did it at Sevilla with a tight budget. I am sticking with him because I believe in him.

However, do not underestimate the numbers that have turned against Emery and the growing numbers turning against him on social media. Today, despite our defence of Emery, you gave to admit his mistakes too and you must also acknowledge the pressure is on him. If he loses to Spuds, he will be in serious trouble.

There is a growing numbers of Arsenal fans who are expressing their frustrations at the coach for what they see as a terrible defensive side with a conservative coach. The fact is, most of the time we park the bus, we actually get embarrassed.

Already some of my Arsenal supporting friends who know their football are saying to me that, Arsenal this season are going to be the same as last season with a little bit more cutting edge if Pepe comes good.

They are already moaning that, there will be no consistent entertaining football and we will never dominate opponents with Emery as coach. I say to them, it is too early to make any conclusions.

Do not dismiss these concerns, they are not just the concerns of a few, they are the concerns of a large sections of the support in social media.

Given a chance till thy kingdom come? See this is where we disagree. In the middle of his 20 plus match unbeaten run, i broke ranks with Emery. I told you guys he's not it. Now you are seeing it. Give Emery a chance for ever, the end result will be Arsenal dropping to Emery's level which is outside the top 7/8.
And please stop throwing this he won the Europa League in our face. Yeah he won the Europa League. Yeah he got us to the finals last year? But have you stopped to ask yourself how many of the teams competing in the Europa league are EPL top 6 quality? Last year we qualified for the final and when we met an EPL top 6 team we lost. If that's not an eye opener on Emery what is.
During the week we discussed exhaustively on tactics for this match. Can you in all honesty say you know what tactics Emery adopted for this match? Immediately i saw the line-up i gave up because i knew we are in for a long night. Is Ceballos a winger now? Why did he not start Laca maybe as usual he would have conjured a goal. Honestly i feel for our the players out there today. They gave their best but our coach let them down big time.
Throwing 11 players onto the pitch without any tactical plan or a clueless one can only work with some lower 10 EPL team. But when teams of comparable quality meet like we seen today the coach makes the difference. In 10 years time with Emery at the top and Klopp on the opposing side, the result will always be the same because hasn't got it.

The good thing today is the usual scapegoats we all vent our anger on didn't play. It's Emery's team and 14 months and counting we are still the way we were. No impact of Emery on the team except his hoofing and puffing on the touchline.

[balo]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49462678

Arsenal: Bruising Liverpool defeat shows the huge gulf Unai Emery's side still have to bridge



By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Arsenal have conceded 25 goals in their past seven visits to Anfield

Arsenal's scant consolation in losing to Liverpool is that they have got their annual visit to Anfield out of the way early - and this defeat was not quite as harrowing as some suffered in recent seasons.

The statistics after this 3-1 loss, which left Liverpool with the only 100% record in the Premier League, lay like rubble around the feet of manager Unai Emery and his side.

Arsenal have conceded 25 goals in their past seven visits to Anfield. Since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool in October 2015 they have scored 26 goals in eight Premier League games against the Gunners - the most one side has against another in that period.

As a measure of Arsenal's progress and expectations this does not offer much optimism, despite it being an improvement on last season's 5-1 loss and the 4-0 defeat in Arsene Wenger's final season.

There were moments during the first half when Arsenal were actually in this game despite an inexplicable desire to play out from the back and into the numerous traps set by Liverpool.

The result was bad. The attitude and most of the performance was not.

Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal's impressive record signing at £72m, should have scored when he was straight through only to be denied by Adrian. He also curled an effort just wide and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang narrowly failed to capitalise on another failure with the feet from Liverpool's deputy goalkeeper.

And yet, for all that, Arsenal once again ended well beaten.

David Luiz joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £8m earlier in August

It is not much of a consolation to say things were not quite as bad as the other times and Arsenal's excuses are wiped out by the fact the most grievous wound of all was self-inflicted by one man.

The biggest clue in their £8m signing of David Luiz was Chelsea manager Frank Lampard's lack of inclination to keep the Brazilian despite being short of experienced resources in central defence. He did not exactly offer to drive the 32-year-old to Emirates Stadium but it did not sound too far off.

The haste with which Chelsea appeared to be willing to send Luiz across London may have had some clubs smelling a rat but Arsenal took a very high-risk gamble.

And there was a graphic, horrible, illustration of how big this gamble is in one moment of crass stupidity by Luiz that snuffed out Arsenal's chances in an instant.

Emery will have talked up Arsenal's hopes of recovery at half-time. One goal down. Chances created. Pace and threat from Pepe and Aubameyang. Oh - and no stupid mistakes.

Cue Luiz effectively ripping Emery's plans before his very eyes four minutes after the interval when he inexplicably chose to drag back Mohamed Salah in the area, the extended hand and the stretched red shirt visible to everyone inside Anfield.

Salah rammed home the penalty and then Luiz compounded the error by over-committing against the Egyptian at the start of a brilliant run that ended with him scoring Liverpool's third.

In his defence, the Brazilian defender called his actions "a reflex" and went on to say the yellow card that followed the award of Liverpool's penalty had prevented him from committing a "foul" on Salah nine minutes later.

No-one can say Arsenal did not know what they were getting when they acquired Luiz. For all the talent there is a giant streak of liability running straight through him. This was liability Luiz.


Arsenal forward Pepe produced more sprints than any other player (31) in the Gunners defeat at Anfield

All that came in a stunning 25 minutes at the start of the second half that underscored everything Arsenal must aspire to and the gap between Liverpool, Manchester City and the rest.

So where does all this leave Arsenal with the season still in its infancy?

They could be accused of a lack of courage in some recent Anfield defeats and they have a horrific record against so-called fellow 'big six' sides, failing to win any of their past 23 away league games, drawing eight, losing 15 and conceding 53 goals with only one clean sheet.

Arsenal did not give up the fight. No-one can accuse them of lacking courage. They were simply beaten by a far superior team. The Gunners actually showed a much better attitude than the carnage of recent years and finished strongly.

Emery will be encouraged by the performance of Pepe, a player of lightning pace, although he will want more end product. And if the Spaniard can somehow get Pepe, Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette working in tandem, few teams will have a more potent attack.

It was a tough day for 23-year-old Daniel Ceballos, on loan from Real Madrid, as he found this Anfield experience all too much but he is an undoubted talent who will have better days than this against less testing opposition.

Ceballos is still growing into the Premier League and will improve.

It may be a case of horses for courses as the season unfolds but there is no question this Arsenal side will cause serious problems if they can get the young Spaniard and that potent attacking trio in the team.

Arsenal left Anfield disappointed once more, but scratch beneath the surface and there were improvements and reasons for optimism for Emery, even in defeat.

It is already evident, however, that Arsenal's task this season is to finish in the top four - not an insult, simply a statement of fact.

And it is already evident that a huge gulf still exists between them and champions Manchester City and Liverpool that will not be closed quickly.

[slyk]

I really like Pepe..He was the most exciting player for the Arsenal yesterday and will score at least 20 goals this season. I particularly enjoyed when in the first half where he completely skinned Robertson with one deft move. Too bad he did not take his chances but there is definitely a player there.

[cchinukw]

Great article Balo.

[Coach]

Ceballos looked so lost at sea the coast guards were called. Big difference between Burnley and Liverpool. Any one of the cubic zirconia had rightful claim to worst player on the park. Of course, Osuofia at Rightback might contest the accolade.

[charlie]

Of the $170M spent in the transfer window, approximately how much of that was spent on the defense?

[cchinukw]

Not sure why the anger.

Arsenal were no great shakes @ Newcastle or vs Burnley, this is a new team, with key absentees that is seriously lacking in cohesion and chemistry.

Anyone who thought Arsenal would win at Anfield was suffering from serious case of delusions of grandeur.

As for Emery he does have some leeway due to said cohesion issues but he has to get it together quick. Emery paint by numbers style of management has a short shelf life, sooner or later he has to develop a system that players buy into and can lean upon consistently. Sooner or later Emery must accpet every team needs a philosophy, an identity, he must embed those tangibles soon or he will be gone come May.

Bull!

Truth. Get over Wenger!

Bull Sh!te!

What is?

Your mouth!

I see say you never recover from the bitterness I have been serving you.

You can be my guest

[oloye]

Of the $170M spent in the transfer window, approximately how much of that was spent on the defense?

8 million pere

[Bigpokey24]

@Azuka, huge responsibility on Luiz in a midfield shorn of any defensive resolve with the inclusion of Ceballos and Ozil. AMN will have his work cut out in Sadio Mane, add to that Robertson on the overlap and its an issue. Niles is far from assured at rightback and having Pierre dropping back is less than ideal.

Luiz as DM.. you are funny .. you people have no clue about the current david luiz

[Cito]

Of the $170M spent in the transfer window, approximately how much of that was spent on the defense?

8 million pere

Calamity Luiz 8 mil, Tierney 25 and Taraba or abi Na Utaba twenty something.

[danfo driver]

@Azuka, huge responsibility on Luiz in a midfield shorn of any defensive resolve with the inclusion of Ceballos and Ozil. AMN will have his work cut out in Sadio Mane, add to that Robertson on the overlap and its an issue. Niles is far from assured at rightback and having Pierre dropping back is less than ideal.

Luiz as DM.. you are funny .. you people have no clue about the current david luiz

[danfo driver]

I really like Pepe..He was the most exciting player for the Arsenal yesterday and will score at least 20 goals this season. I particularly enjoyed when in the first half where he completely skinned Robertson with one deft move. Too bad he did not take his chances but there is definitely a player there.

Odiegwu!

[kajifu]

1)Emery is an average coach and Danfo was right about him,i will support any coach and hopefully he do two years go unless he step uo
big time.The good thing is that his appointment end Wenger era.So Emery might do just 2 years.
2)Who ever run the club signing players lack football brain,i mean even 2 years old can see what we need yet the clueless club cant.Iwobi is better than Pepe,so why give 80 million for a player that is not better than Iwobi?
3)Defense is our issue but clueless fans here were celebrating adding more attack by selling one to balance the book.
4)What was the point buying Luiz at 32?With alot of young CD.
5)Next week another tough game against Spurs,not sure if they can beat spurs but that is a must win game to take pressure off.A big win for Spurs December might not meet that clueless coach.
Good luck to the boys,i was not expecting a win against Liverpool was just hoping for a big surprise.Auba should not start games ahead of Laca in such big game,he offer little.Now i feel spurs might beat us hope am wrong.

[Coach]

@Kaji, on a few weeks back, Luiz was being celebrated as the best bit of business in the window. Throughout his illustrious career, Oga Luiz has obliged the naysayers with episodes of cerebral flatulence. Yesterday was not out of keeping and arguably more of the same. King David may be the appropriate Eboue following the debacle, but there were many decorating the autumnal sunshine with fabulous incompetence. Ceballos ran himself out of puff within minutes, Willock was either given no lines or fluffed them and Niles was two pints of lager and a packet of crisps. There was more to the story than David.

[danfo driver]

@Kaji, on a few weeks back, Luiz was being celebrated as the best bit of business in the window. Throughout his illustrious career, Oga Luiz has obliged the naysayers with episodes of cerebral flatulence. Yesterday was not out of keeping and arguably more of the same. King David may be the appropriate Eboue following the debacle, but there were many decorating the autumnal sunshine with fabulous incompetence. Ceballos ran himself out of puff within minutes, Willock was either given no lines or fluffed them and Niles was two pints of lager and a packet of crisps. There was more to the story than David.

The person you guys must praise is Waffiman.

Waffiman can sell Ice to an Eskimo family of Arsenal fans

Waffiman can sell sand to an Arsenal family living in the desert

Waffiman can sell water to Nemo, the Arsenal loving fish

Waffiman can sell spare parts to Okonkwo the Arsenal fan and spare part dealer in Onitsha.

Waffiman can sell fish to an Urhobo fish trader who supports Arsenal in Ughelli.



Waffiman is a god amongst Arsenal fans and they live for his mouth! Once Waffi is speaking, they all gather around and eat everything up! Even if Waffi accuses their mothers of prostitution, they will bring her to the stake to have her burned, right there!

We all know David Luiz. Everyone and their mama knows he is useless. Arsenal bought him and Waffi convinced them that he will play DM, he will bring leadership and that rugged winning mentality and they all jumped in a collective twerk of celebration.

For Arsenal to succeed, you guys need to get rid of Waffiman. You cant have him in your fanbase, convincing grown men of absolute nonsense and you guys succeed. I am convinced that Waffiman is on Arsenal's payroll, employed with the responsibility of "getting the base on board."