Match Reaction v Bournemouth (home).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That was hard going.

At least Bournemouth cough up the usual three points for us.

Get this international shit done with and hopefully we can start to see more of the side we would hope to be.

[Letters]

We are in 3rd, 1 point behind City :haha:

This is such a poor quality league.

[dostoy]

They need to learn how to defend.

I was watching it and with 2 minutes to go they were after another goal, at that point they need to keep the ball because if Bournemouth get one then that is the result as there is no time to respond.

Luiz saved Arsenal at least once near the end.

Its 3 points anyway, look what happen to city.

[Master Splinter]

Solid for the first half. Seemingly half-asleep in the second.

Pepe and Ceballos still completely underwhelming.

Ozil and Ceballos are supposedly great technical link players and creators but the team is clearly better when Willock plays. How can Emery continually fail to see this? The personnel in this team means a classical playmaker isn't needed and a more direct, swift approach suits them better.

Guendouzi was everywhere again and was superb defensively today.

Chambers really impressive once more and our most dangerous attacking player.

Atkinson a cheating fuck as expected.

Tony Gale is currently still crying.

[fakeyank]

What is the point of Xhaka? What did he do today?

[Marc Overmars]

Dreary.

But 3 points at least.

Emery. :shrug:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Another underwhelming performance from our so called "first team". The lineup was probably understandable except for the customary inclusion of the pointless Xhaka.

Chambers was probably MOTM- easily our best defender on the pitch today however I still can't help but feel that attackwise he gives us less than AMN and Bellerin.

In fact I think the whole teams ticks better when our fullbacks give us the kind of performance we got from Tierney and Bellerin on Thursday and not the static crap we were served with. Don't get me wrong, for now until Hector is 100%, Chambers should always start as he improves the defence but I would love Kolasnic to be dropped as he is getting as pointless as Xhaka.

Saka was average today. Had a real rough test but kept going, though probably should have been subbed.

The weakest cog in the attack was Pepe as usual. His story is turning out to be so much like Gervinho it's almost unbelievable. I don't think the automatic starts he's getting are helping either. Surely this situation must change when Laca is fit.

All and all, we are third, in a season where most top clubs are performing below par as predicted. I wonder what would have happened if we started this season with a more competent manager. Oh well....

[Letters]

What is the point of Xhaka? What did he do today?

He didn’t give away a penalty so that’s progress.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

He didn’t give away a penalty so that’s progress.

I'm just annoyed the ref didn't give him a yellow for his consistent fouling. It seems him wracking up 5 is our only hope for getting him out of the starting lineup for important games.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He'll get it against Palace and only miss the League Cup game.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

He'll get it against Palace and only miss the League Cup game.
:ilt:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I understand why he didn't play, but I think Tierney would have been enough to see us score more than 1 today. Kola has been way more disciplined since knowing Kieran is behind him, but that won't save him.

Thought the first half was fairly disciplined and mature without being amazing going forward but the second half we let the level slip.

Xhaka was solid today so no major issues with him today and Pepe was bright in the first half I thought, but started to lose his way in the second.

Chambers in ensuring he will stay in the team. Very good today again I thought.

[Marc Overmars]

No Ozil again...

He has to go in January. It’s just hemorrhaging the club money because it’s quite obvious he has no future here with Emery.

[LDG]

Full kit wanker invaded the pitch today apparently.

Shook Pepe’s hand and then did a klinsman in the pelanty area :lol:

[Bumble]

Just cant see how we aren't going to finish top 4. United rubbish be lucky to finish top 10. Spurs imploding. Chelsea doing ok and Leicester are the competition.

[Mac76]

What is the point of Xhaka? What did he do today?

absolutely nothing

the captaincy situation was so bad because it means Emery's trapped himself into playing that useless tosser every time, even though it menas we're essentially playing with 10 men.

[Mac76]

I understand why he didn't play, but I think Tierney would have been enough to see us score more than 1 today. Kola has been way more disciplined since knowing Kieran is behind him, but that won't save him.

Thought the first half was fairly disciplined and mature without being amazing going forward but the second half we let the level slip.

Xhaka was solid today so no major issues with him today and Pepe was bright in the first half I thought, but started to lose his way in the second.

Chambers in ensuring he will stay in the team. Very good today again I thought.

all correct except the bit about Xhaka - he congtributed nothing, his passes were pointless and he did as usual give the ball away in situations where a better team may have made us pay for it

[Marc Overmars]

It does seem like we are probably the least shit out of the chasing pack, so that's a positive, I suppose.

Though as we found out last season, we initially got a lot of results without playing particularly well until it caught up with us at the end. Can't see how we won't go through another terrible spell playing the way we are currently. I honestly don't think we've impressed as a team in any league game so far.

[Letters]

Just cant see how we aren't going to finish top 4. United rubbish be lucky to finish top 10. Spurs imploding. Chelsea doing ok and Leicester are the competition.

Emery should be sacked and killed if we don't finish top 4. There are at best 2 good teams in the PL this season, possibly only 1. After that everyone is shit and while I include us in that with our squad there's really no excuse for not finishing in the top 4.

[Özim]

Another abject performance, we won (just) but again were unconvincing, which is the story of every league game so far this season, as usual Emery sticks with Xhaka, there's no hope there.

Much like last season Emery is scraping wins and in a decent position in the league more due to circumstances then his and his teams performance, Pepe still hasn't settled at all and continues to disappoint (I heard someone mention the reason Lille accepted the offer was because they didn't think he was worth that much when the sold him), it's early days but he does need to show a bit more than he has.

It's sickening to see what Klopp is doing at Liverpool, 2 CL finals in 2 seasons including winning it, challenging for the title every season and probably going to win it this season and brilliant free flowing football and quality players, then you look at Emery, granted it's only his 2nd season, but the lack of progress, direction and style is alarming, as is his inability to spot some of the obvious weak points.

Underwhelming doesn't even begin to describe how it feels.

As for Ozil, he's nowhere to be seen, clearly Emery doesn't want him around.

[Özim]

It does seem like we are probably the least shit out of the chasing pack, so that's a positive, I suppose.

Though as we found out last season, we initially got a lot of results without playing particularly well until it caught up with us at the end. Can't see how we won't go through another terrible spell playing the way we are currently. I honestly don't think we've impressed as a team in any league game so far.

We're scraping wins with average performances, pretty much like last season, we're not putting in any decent performances and although we have some very good players, as a team right we're average and we're just lucky that the teams around us are imploding, the position we're currently in is really flattering us, we don't deserve to be 3rd in the league based on what we've done so far, through circumstances we are.

The lack of progress and lack of any decent performances or any form is shocking to be honest, as is the fact Emery seems very content with what's happening. Can't wait for Lacazette to return, the guy should be our captain, he's a key player for us and is one of those who can score goals out of nothing.

[Letters]

As for Ozil, he's nowhere to be seen, clearly Emery doesn't want him around.
Which is fine, but sell him then. Why keep him if you're not going to use him? Personally, I think he adds something. If Emery doesn't agree then fine, but don't have a £300k a week player sitting on the bench or, worse, not even in the squad.

[selassie]

Another abject performance, we won (just) but again were unconvincing, which is the story of every league game so far this season, as usual Emery sticks with Xhaka, there's no hope there.

Much like last season Emery is scraping wins and in a decent position in the league more due to circumstances then his and his teams performance, Pepe still hasn't settled at all and continues to disappoint (I heard someone mention the reason Lille accepted the offer was because they didn't think he was worth that much when the sold him), it's early days but he does need to show a bit more than he has.

It's sickening to see what Klopp is doing at Liverpool, 2 CL finals in 2 seasons including winning it, challenging for the title every season and probably going to win it this season and brilliant free flowing football and quality players, then you look at Emery, granted it's only his 2nd season, but the lack of progress, direction and style is alarming, as is his inability to spot some of the obvious weak points.

Underwhelming doesn't even begin to describe how it feels.

As for Ozil, he's nowhere to be seen, clearly Emery doesn't want him around.

Yep I hear ya Zim.

I find it unbelievable that we are still churning out these sub par performances considering the talent we have at our disposal, especially the attacking talent.

We look no further forward than last season....and what makes it worse is that Emery has invested a fair chunk of money into the offensive side of the team and we still don't look very dynamic.

It's a major worry TBH.

[fakeyank]

The thing is that we look so much better playing in the carabao cup and EL. Our games are fast paced filled with quick movement and an intent to always move forward. However in the PL, we absolutely suck ass! We are lethargic and have no creativity... I am literally just browsing my phone every time we play in the league. Even when we score or conceded a goal, my reaction is "Meh".

[I am invisible]

It’s looking more and more like those europa / carabao performances are in spite of Emery and not because of him. Thought there might be a small chance that it was down to the younger players being more responsive to his methods, but the more I watch us the more I think he’s just getting lucky with a talented group who happen to be perfectly balanced as a team...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Full kit wanker invaded the pitch today apparently.

Shook Pepe’s hand and then did a klinsman in the pelanty area :lol:

Half the crowd thought it was Sokratis when he came on. Took about a minute for anybody to notice he didn't belong.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Emery should be sacked and killed if we don't finish top 4. There are at best 2 good teams in the PL this season, possibly only 1. After that everyone is shit and while I include us in that with our squad there's really no excuse for not finishing in the top 4.

Let's not get cariied away, lol City are a formidable team.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

all correct except the bit about Xhaka - he congtributed nothing, his passes were pointless and he did as usual give the ball away in situations where a better team may have made us pay for it

I thought he covered positions really well today even though yes, he gave a few silly fouls and misplaced a few passes. I haven't checked the passing stats but despite the observation, I wouldn't be at all surprised if his passing was in the late 80's percentage wise.

[Bumble]

Half the crowd thought it was Sokratis when he came on. Took about a minute for anybody to notice he didn't belong.

or was it ozil then?

[selassie]

No Ozil again...

He has to go in January. It’s just hemorrhaging the club money because it’s quite obvious he has no future here with Emery.

For all my criticism of Ozil, Emery has no right alienating him like this when we don't have one decent alternative to him. Emery is playing Torreira there for Christ sake, it's absolutely ridiculous and damaging to the team.

[fakeyank]

I thought he covered positions really well today even though yes, he gave a few silly fouls and misplaced a few passes. I haven't checked the passing stats but despite the observation, I wouldn't be at all surprised if his passing was in the late 80's percentage wise.

He is a copy of Denilson who provided no output. Sideways and backward passes throughout the game results in their passing stats looking like world beaters. At least Denilson wasnt having brain farts and getting red cards and giving penalties away for free.

[Globalgunner]

For all my criticism of Ozil, Emery has no right alienating him like this when we don't have one decent alternative to him. Emery is playing Torreira there for Christ sake, it's absolutely ridiculous and damaging to the team.

Ozil is only an asset when we have the ball. When the opposition have it, we are instantly down to 10 men. He will not chase after any opposition player. Maybe not even for Fortnite tips

[Mac76]

He is a copy of Denilson who provided no output. Sideways and backward passes throughout the game results in their passing stats looking like world beaters. At least Denilson wasnt having brain farts and getting red cards, penalties away for free.

:gp:

[Penguin]

For all my criticism of Ozil, Emery has no right alienating him like this when we don't have one decent alternative to him. Emery is playing Torreira there for Christ sake, it's absolutely ridiculous and damaging to the team.

If he thinks the team benefits he has every right to leave Ozil out. It actually encourages me that Emery has the balls to kick 'big name' players like Ozil and Mustafi to the curb, unlike Wenger who always played them just because we spent a lot of money on them.

But then again, he does that to Ozil but somehow Xhaka is undroppable and was even made captain. :doh:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He is a copy of Denilson who provided no output. Sideways and backward passes throughout the game results in their passing stats looking like world beaters. At least Denilson wasnt having brain farts and getting red cards and giving penalties away for free.

I thought he had a decent game, but that doesn't mean I don't want him eased out.

I was basically done with him and Mustafi at by the end of the 2017/18 season.

[selassie]

If he thinks the team benefits he has every right to leave Ozil out. It actually encourages me that Emery has the balls to kick 'big name' players like Ozil and Mustafi to the curb, unlike Wenger who always played them just because we spent a lot of money on them.

But then again, he does that to Ozil but somehow Xhaka is undroppable and was even made captain. :doh:

Emery’s issue with Ozil appears to be personal and not performance related. I’m not a “Ozil Fanboy”, far from it, I was calling for him to be dropped in the Wenger days. The thing is, and I say this with a lot of confidence, we are not a better team without Ozil at the moment. This team does lack a fair bit of creativity with the flat midfield line up of Xhaka, Douzi & Torreira. Ceballos who seems to be the preferred Ozil replacement isn’t up to the required standard either. Ceballos is a very good player, that isn’t in question. He does blow hot and cold though, he also doesn’t improve the team anymore so than Ozil IMO and we have him on loan too.

Ozil’s performances this season have been pretty decent TBH, it seems silly to discard him when we have much bigger issues in the team!

[selassie]

Ozil is only an asset when we have the ball. When the opposition have it, we are instantly down to 10 men. He will not chase after any opposition player. Maybe not even for Fortnite tips

Ozil isn’t the only one guilty of not tracking back. I do understand why Ozil isn’t picked for certain games and I do think he is stealing a living at the club on those ridiculous wages we have given him. He hasn’t at any point performed like a 350k per week player ever since he signed the ting.

If we could get rid of Ozil I’m all for it, this team does still need some kind of replacement though. Obviously not like for like, but we need a progressive and creative attacking midfield with an eye for goals and assists. Maybe Willock or Ceballos can be that player?

[Penguin]

Emery’s issue with Ozil appears to be personal and not performance related. I’m not a “Ozil Fanboy”, far from it, I was calling for him to be dropped in the Wenger days. The thing is, and I say this with a lot of confidence, we are not a better team without Ozil at the moment. This team does lack a fair bit of creativity with the flat midfield line up of Xhaka, Douzi & Torreira. Ceballos who seems to be the preferred Ozil replacement isn’t up to the required standard either. Ceballos is a very good player, that isn’t in question. He does blow hot and cold though, he also doesn’t improve the team anymore so than Ozil IMO and we have him on loan too.

Ozil’s performances this season have been pretty decent TBH, it seems silly to discard him when we have much bigger issues in the team!

Why do you think it's personal? Bottom line is that Emery wants someone with the right defensive workrate and he knows he's not going to get that from Ozil. Whether the replacements are good enough is another issue.

Emery has said from the start that he want's the whole team to attack and defend together, from front to back. He hasn't really achieved that properly with or without Ozil, but I can see why he would leave him out of the team to try and fix that.

[Mac76]

Why do you think it's personal? Bottom line is that Emery wants someone with the right defensive workrate and he knows he's not going to get that from Ozil. Whether the replacements are good enough is another issue.

Emery has said from the start that he want's the whole team to attack and defend together, from front to back. He hasn't really achieved that properly with or without Ozil, but I can see why he would leave him out of the team to try and fix that.

IMO there's more to it than that

Emery seems to be using Ozil as a way of showing who's boss, but he's making himself look pretty silly as his decisons to play or not play him and his public comments are totally contradictory.

one minute Ozil's not working hard enough and the next he's captaining us in the Carabao cup (and then subbed off when he was playing well)

one minute Ozil can't play away games and the next he starts against Watford.

Emery is being a total tosser tbh.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Pretty much. He's tied himself up in knots with the whole thing. Emery might leave the club and Ozil still be here which is not totally inconceivable at this point. That will really be showing Mesut who's boss.

We get you don't like him but just sit him on the bench in most games FFS.

[GP]

If he thought Ozil would contribute in these games, he'd play him. He's not going to cut off his nose to spite his face.

It's been a long time since Ozil had an effective game.

[Letters]

If he thought Ozil would contribute in these games, he'd play him. He's not going to cut off his nose to spite his face.

It's been a long time since Ozil had an effective game.

Is he really worse than some of the shit we have out there?
Emery's being a dick. At least stick him on the bench, he might add something as an impact sub.

[GP]

Is he really worse than some of the shit we have out there?
Emery's being a dick. At least stick him on the bench, he might add something as an impact sub.

But he doesn't. It's a motivation issue. his head's not in the game any more. The same people slating Ozil under wenger are the same people slating Emery for not playing him.

He needs to be sold, but no one wants a player who can't be arsed any more.

[Mac76]

Is he really worse than some of the shit we have out there?
Emery's being a dick. At least stick him on the bench, he might add something as an impact sub.

i agree with most of that, although even i don't think he's much of an impact sub tbh, he's better when he starts then if it's not working he can come off for someone with fresh energy late in the game when there's more space to operate in

however on GP's comment about Emery cutting his nose off etc, I'd say Emery seems more than capable of self-harming behaviour e.g. always playing Xhaka and making him captain at a time when the fans are actually booing him for being our worst player...

[selassie]

Why do you think it's personal? Bottom line is that Emery wants someone with the right defensive workrate and he knows he's not going to get that from Ozil. Whether the replacements are good enough is another issue.

Emery has said from the start that he want's the whole team to attack and defend together, from front to back. He hasn't really achieved that properly with or without Ozil, but I can see why he would leave him out of the team to try and fix that.

Because as others have eloquently stated above, Emery has been very contradictory in his statements and handling of Ozil. Why is Ozil even one of the 5 captains if the Manager doesn't want him anywhere near the team?

What sort of example does it set when one of the 5 captains of the team doesn't "train properly", yet he is seen as one of the leaders? These are Emery's words regarding Ozil not training properly.

The whole thing is a sham, what makes it even worse is Emery is filling the position incorrectly too...Torreira has been playing there, it's nuts!

Also...we need to strike a balance with the attacking midfield position, we don't need a defensive player there or someone who is more focused on the defensive side.

[selassie]

But he doesn't. It's a motivation issue. his head's not in the game any more. The same people slating Ozil under wenger are the same people slating Emery for not playing him.

He needs to be sold, but no one wants a player who can't be arsed any more.

I was one of them slating Ozil under Wenger and I'm slating Emery's management of Ozil and the team in general, there is a slight difference here.

[Özim]

The way I see it I'd be more willing to accept the fact Ozil is frozen out if Emery wasn't playing Torreira as an attacking player, that's utter madness, Torreira should be playing instead of Xhaka (a player Emery seems to think is amazing despite his very obvious faults) to play him as an attacking player is nonsensical.

Moreover, if we were going to freeze him out we should have tried to loan him out and covered some of his wages, at least we'd be forking out less money a month, the whole thing has been handled poorly to be honest.

I personally think, you could have him as an option on the bench if you need him, doesn't hurt.

[fakeyank]

When we got rid of Wenger, I 'thought' we would get a manager who would make sense in their way of working. I didnt think that would be too hard to ask.. unfortunately, Emery has taken a leaf out of Wengers playbook and continues with his bizarre decision making. I understand english is not his first language but this whole 5 captain BS is stupid, and then to select Ozil as one of the captains is even stupider.

Can we just ask to get a manager with a bit of common fucking sense?!

[Letters]

But he doesn't. It's a motivation issue. his head's not in the game any more. The same people slating Ozil under wenger are the same people slating Emery for not playing him.

He needs to be sold, but no one wants a player who can't be arsed any more.

I don't know if Ozil's head isn't in the game any more and I wasn't slating Ozil under Wenger although I'll admit he seemed to be contributing less and less.
But ultimately yes, he needs to be sold. If Emery isn't going to play him then sell him. We're currently pissing away £300k a week on a player who isn't playing. It's mental. Why didn't Emery get rid in the summer? Even let him go on a free, it's better than wasting this sort of money on wages on a player who is contributing nothing not because of poor performances but because he's not out there.

[LDG]

Ozil is getting flogged or loaned in January.

We have to pay his wages regardless for now, so if we know he’s outta here, whats the point in playing someone when he can’t be arsed anyway. Why not find the midfield you’ll have without him....

He’s a sunk cost. But at least by not playing him he stays fit, and can be moved out at the earliest opportunity.

The biggest issue with Emery is not Ozil. It’s that he can’t seem to balance a team back to front. The problem with the midfield isn’t his lack of desire to play Ozil, more that the trio he plays on rotation never fit together.

[Özim]

When we got rid of Wenger, I 'thought' we would get a manager who would make sense in their way of working. I didnt think that would be too hard to ask.. unfortunately, Emery has taken a leaf out of Wengers playbook and continues with his bizarre decision making. I understand english is not his first language but this whole 5 captain BS is stupid, and then to select Ozil as one of the captains is even stupider.

Can we just ask to get a manager with a bit of common fucking sense?!

100% agree, if Emery made logical decisions and it wasn't working, you'd have to say fair enough, but his decisions are ridiculous at times and it really reminds me of Wenger, couldn't have been that hard to find a manager with definite plan who can make sensible decisions and team selections surely.

[Özim]

I don't know if Ozil's head isn't in the game any more and I wasn't slating Ozil under Wenger although I'll admit he seemed to be contributing less and less.
But ultimately yes, he needs to be sold. If Emery isn't going to play him then sell him. We're currently pissing away £300k a week on a player who isn't playing. It's mental. Why didn't Emery get rid in the summer? Even let him go on a free, it's better than wasting this sort of money on wages on a player who is contributing nothing not because of poor performances but because he's not out there.

That's how I feel, if you're not going to use him sell him, let him go on a free or failing that loan him that and cover just part of his wages at least we'd be saving money. What Emery is doing just doesn't make sense, he's here now so just stick him on the bench and bring him on when we need an option.

I think we'll struggle to sell a player with no game time in January, as clubs will surely not want to take a risk of bringing someone in who is unfit in the middle of the season, moreover clubs don't generally spend a lot in January. Our best bet of selling him is getting him to play a few games and hoping he performs in a few of them.

[Letters]

Fuck.
I'm agreeing with Zim.
See what you've reduced me to, Arsenal? :crying:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'm pretty sure Emery would have pushed to get him the hell out over the summer but it obviously didn't work. He should now be accepting it and just getting on with it. In a game when we are going for a winner or behind, you don't need a player to come on and be a defensive lynch pin, you are chasing a game and need a player who might provide a moment to get back into the game. To that end leaving him out of squads as often as he is is madness. He's not even bothering to hide behind injury excuses.

I don't get a world in which Xhaka is virtually undroppable and the captain no matter what he does but Ozil can't even be on the bench for a meaningless europa league game, the stage of which we will win with our eyes closed.

[Mac76]

100% agree, if Emery made logical decisions and it wasn't working, you'd have to say fair enough, but his decisions are ridiculous at times and it really reminds me of Wenger, couldn't have been that hard to find a manager with definite plan who can make sensible decisions and team selections surely.

it's certainly hard to see what made him such a standout choice (according to Ivan) not least as at the time his English really was poor and I've heard he doesn't come across that much more easily in Spanish either.

it must have simply been his Europa League record.

[selassie]

it's certainly hard to see what made him such a standout choice (according to Ivan) not least as at the time his English really was poor and I've heard he doesn't come across that much more easily in Spanish either.

it must have simply been his Europa League record.

Emery is a DUD IMO. They soon kicked him out of PSG, he was constantly tinkering with the team, sound familiar eh?

His Europa record with Sevilla was excellent, but that is in the past now. He was failed everywhere else since.

[dazthegooner]

Think Emery banked on his Europa record to achieve Champions league football (that turned out well) we had 4th place in the bag but threw it away the other teams around us tried there hardest for us to do this but no... :sulk: