A couple of musings from the match last night:

- It wasn't the best of performances individually from almost every player but there were some positives. Most notably how we are able to mix it up a little bit more now with direct long balls over the top for Auba, the usual build up from the back, there were instances where we stretched the pitch well with good use of width. The number of chances we created were a testament to how well we were able to diversify how we attacked and on another day we would have at least scored a goal or two from the chances created.

- Finally early substitutions when things aren't working! Enough said.

- Guendouzi is a bloody diamond! He was a little bit nervy and made some schoolboy errors at the start, but these will be cut out with experience given time. He gradually got better as the match went on and was very brave and never shied away from any challenge. Showed more fight in him than perhaps all the senior midfielders combined last night. MOTM easily.

- Cech looks so clumsy with the ball at his feet. I hope Unai starts Leno vs Chelski. Made some fine saves but at the same time some howlers which you would never expect a keeper of a top club to make.

- Torreira looked so damn good when he came on. It was only glimpses but you get the feel that he is a class above any midfielder we have at the moment. Needs to start vs Chelski!

- Gotta love Lichtsteiner lol Should've been one of the five captains. The 2nd goal was his fault when he lost sight of his man (Bernardo Silva) but that happens when players are played out of position. Apart from that deputized well when Niles was injured.

- Ozil, I have said almost everything that is needed to be said before. His performance last night was not much different than what he has produced almost regularly in an Arsenal shirt for the last two years. Business as usual.

Overall we can be optimistic and positive despite the defeat. City are a different class but they are not unbeatable. They could've gifted us 3 goals alone in the last 10-15 mins had we been a little more ruthless. Looking forward to when the team clicks into gear and is fully familiar with Unai's system.

Kept silent for the most part of pre-season because pre-season is well, pre-season. It was good entertainment though at how some here take pre-season so seriously lol

Ah yes I forgot to mention Laca, he came on and instantly galvanized our attack.

Was a little unlucky not to have scored.

Hope he starts together with Auba against Chelsea. Auba looked terribly isolated as the lone forward.

Unai *shakes head*

This better turn out well else There will be more questions marks for Unai on team selection.

This post has been edited by sigheart: Aug 18 2018, 11:39 PM

Bellerin getting raped repeatedly lmao

Well done Sarri. Our biggest two weakness - ball over the top and Bellerin. He has exploited both beautifully in this first half.

For the love of god to open goals missed

Ok next Xhaka and Bellerin will score. Kutuk more pls

Ok both teams equally shit. Got chance.

Well done unai. Torreira in Xhaka out

Bellerin must be one of arsenal’s worst RBs in history

This post has been edited by sigheart: Aug 19 2018, 02:07 AM

Looking at the replay again Torreira saw Alonso but chose to let him go. If Unai doesn’t sort our defense and the organization of our team out we will be in for a long season ahead.

Its ok la guys, as long we got Ozil its good enough right.

vs Man City - Lost possession 19 times, the most for any player on the pitch that night.

vs Chelsea - Made just 15 passes till he was substituted. The least for any player that night.

Totally worth 350k a week right guys?

In before he makes 1 or 2 square pass assists or a tap in goal in our next match and he is world class again giving him license to be shit for the next 10 games.

In all seriousness its just baffling that a player of such ability and talent can be so so so terrible in matches. It's almost like you give someone a cheat code in a game yet the guy still loses.

The next 10 - 15 games will be interesting because if Unai can't help Ozil, I don't think anybody can anymore and we will be stuck with an excessively expensive liability.

Absolutely spot on. Wouldn't have shed a tear if we had let him go last year. Not only will no one take him now because of his salary, but even our own internal salary structure has been screwed by paying him that much, hence you see stories of Ramsey demanding up to 250k per week. Soon every player will be demanding so much higher than they deserve when the time comes for them to renew their contract.

If Iwobi and Ramsey were Wenger's godsons, Ozil is AST's godson.

Past 1 year or more? you have been very generous in your assessment. He has been absolutely shit for me for most part of his tenure of 4 - 5 years with us apart for a handful of games here and there when he actually decides to turn up and the 15/16 season.

We always laugh at United's or Chelsea's big money flop signings in the past like Veron, Shevchenko, etc but Ozil is just as bad at the moment IMO.

He has shown he has world class ability and talent, there is no doubt about that, that is why it is so mystifying as to how shit a player with such talent can play.

The best we can hope for now is that Unai has something up his sleeve to bring that world class ability and talent out from Ozil on a more consistent basis because like it or not a top form Ozil will be pivotal if we are going to achieve anything this year. It is no coincidence that when he plays well, we win games and if he does it often enough, a very good season, like in 15/16 when we challenged for the title notwithstanding the other top teams failings. The other years where he was more often average to poor than good, our league position and overall season mimicked that.

The two biggest challenges Unai is facing this season is getting the team to play the football how he wants it to be played ASAP and getting Ozil back up on his feet. Like I mentioned earlier, next 10 - 15 games will be very interesting, whether it is to see if Unai can bring Ozil back to his best or what will his stance on Ozil be if he fails, drop him or continue playing him.

This post has been edited by sigheart: Aug 22 2018, 03:05 PM

“#Arsenal have agreed a five-year $385m contract with #Adidas ($77m per year) that will be effective from next season once the #Puma deal expires.

It will be the 3rd highest in the kit manufacturing industry, just behind Barca’s Nike deal ( $134.5m per year ) & Man Utd's Adidas deal ( $96m per year ).

Expect Arsenal to use the funds on player transfers in the future.

[ Source : John Wall Street ]”

Typical Ozil, when the going gets tough he......disappears.

Anyway I have a strong feeling today is the last chance saloon for the likes of Xhaka, Bellerin etc. Another bad game and we can expect changes. This makes it hard as as much I want us to win, I also want others to get a chance as it’s clear these guys ain’t good enough.

Lolololol that’s what you get for keeping the faith with retards. Pray Unai learns his lesson ASAP.

Well done Nacho. And this is what Bellerin needs to do more often. Take your man on, get to the fking byline and deliver a cross.

God damn he went full retard again. Good block by Sokratis.

Ramsey, Xhaka and Bellerin. Our top performers as usual in the first half, from the freaking bottom.

we need Laca alongside Auba on the pitch. I’ve said it since day 1 Auba is more often than not isolated when played as the lone striker.

We are damn lucky. West Ham could’ve scored 4-5 goals by now.