I didn't like the starting formation. It makes more sense for us to play either a 3-man midfield (be it a flat 3 or a 1-2) than 2 with a #10. I feel Unai stuck with the 4-2-3-1 because that is what the majority of the players are used to. His PSG team were balance personified in midfield so that would be the way to go for me. Having said that, there is an issue on the left hand side of CM whichever trio we pick. If we play Torreira sitting in the middle with Ramsey & Oezil flanking, will/can Mesut aggressively press the full game? If you opt for Xhaka, is he going to be able to press at all with his lack of speed? Guendouzi is only 19. I wouldn't want to pin that on a player who prior to today played all of his league games in the French second division so there are issues using Unai's ideal formation. Despite this, I am optimistic. His brand of football is more modern and being a coach rather than a manager, I have faith that players will get better under his stewardship.
As for the tactics, I wouldn't have played a few of the players today (Cech, Guendouzi- though he did ok, Maitland-Niles @ LB or Xhaka until he has learned how to play the role) but playing narrow in defence was a good idea. The personnel was the problem. I'm a big fan of Maitland-Niles and he is in no way, shape or form a LB so deserves not an ounce of criticism today imo but you saw from pretty much the moment Lichtsteiner came on, the City tactic of feeding Mahrez and letting him engage the full-back stopped. On the right, Bellerin had an average-at-best game but Sterling primarily had his brightest moments when cutting inside save for when he twisted Mustafi. The opportunity to score that he took transpired largely because the player who should have been in the position to stop him was warming his backside on the bench (Torreira). It also has to be noted that it should be an error for Petr Cech. Regardless of whether you think the ball is going wide, you put your arms out anyway.
@MEHJones- *For Arsenal. It may not work for every team. The final two times we played City under Wenger, the defence was stretched which allowed City to take the mick through the middle. Having seen that, Emery's plan was to play narrow but play the CBs wide apart, to support the FBs, with both DCMs just in front of the vacated space. You now have 6 players within the space of half the width of the pitch. This should force City to go wide. If the full backs get out quickly to the City wingers when they are in possession (which Lichtsteiner did to Mahrez every time, Bellerin did to Sterling on occasion and Maitland-Niles didn't at all), you shut down that avenue as well, in theory. Pep's teams are adaptable, players have to be fluid and take up other positions and of course they have immense quality so you will never fully stop them while being an attacking force yourself but this made sense for us based on recent history with similar players. Positional errors were the key....
@SteveHyland-..... Niles primarily because rather than engage Mahrez when he had the ball, he backed off. Lichtsteiner did the complete opposite, shut Mahrez down and made him ineffectual. It also didn't help that on both sides of the pitch, the FBs were not helped by the players in front (Mkhitaryan/Oezil). AMN had to contend with Mahrez coming inside on his left and Walker bombing down the wing overlapping. Bellerin had to contend with Sterling & Mendy doing the mirror image. In comparison, Sterling and Mahrez DID help out their full backs when out of possession via pressing. In the midfield, Guendouzi went ball chasing too often and Xhaka had a nightmare. Both were out of position for Sterling's shot. I would've played Torreira as the lone DM and have two CMs aggressively pressing to the side of him (this is what Pep does with Fernandinho playing almost as a 3rd CB on occasion). Sterling does not even get a shot off if Lucas is playing.
Listening to/reading some of the post-match comments I have today, I think that some people genuinely believe Unai Emery should have turned us into a team capable of competing with the champions after 2 months. Some perspective is needed. Pep Guardiola inherited a better squad than Unai Emery has (including premier league winners), but it still took Pep a full season of experimentation and £298m NET to win the league. City are premier league and champions league favourites, have multiple world class players and a squad depth unrivalled in world football. Not even God would have turned the mediocre outfit we saw under Wenger into equals with the current EPL title holders in 2 months. Added to the fact that everything about the club is different- style, training regime, ethos etc, I would be surprised if we are even level by the end of NEXT season. As long as there is discernible improvement within the performances come the end of 2019/20 then Emery has bettered Wenger's last decade.
Arsenal have bought many players from different leagues and they'll need time in the league. Arsenal will definitely not finish in top 4 in my opinion. For me, Emery is not suitable to work in big clubs.
Hopefully Arsenal will be relegated with such sucking coach. Playing narrow back 4 vs wide playing City, playing some child with mop on his head in centre of the field (can be hot prospect but still not vs champions). Taking some vampire Liechsteiner as cover.... It is way worse than any kind of Wenger. Or... it was planned
@koziol.mutant ?? Look at the average positions, Mustafi and Sokratis and far apart. The reason Guendouzi is starting is because Torreira is ready yet; and anyway, how can you criticise the coach for not having the same quality of players at his disposal as Man City? If we had an owner pumping a billion pounds into the club, maybe you would be justified in criticising the coach like that.
Cant tell if Arsenal are better on the counter than last year, or if citys defense is just slightly unorganized, cause there has been some nervy moments for them in this game. Mahrez and Sterling have been causing all sorts of issues for Arsenal and Expect it to continue. Im sticking with 3-1, thinking mahrez will score or assist aguero at some point.
I guess Özils weak ( normal ) performance is of course to excuse. He gets constantly attacked by racism everywhere, so he can`t play well. At least this is his explanation ...
Nice to see Sterling scoring! I mean that guy creates constantly dangerousl situations, but usually wastes them. A great play and fine definition also.
Lineups are out, and Arsenal only have 1 striker up top. The 4-2-3-1 with ozil on the wing and ramsey in the middle will probably be a poor choice today. Im not sure Xhaka and guendozi arencapable of dealing with Mahrez and Sterling's runs thru the half space as mendy and walker raid up and down the touch line. City were even better laay year until mendy went down. Unless maitland niles and bellerin have massive games, this one is all city. My guess is 1-3, with auba to get arsenals only goal.
Bundesliga is failing big time but Arsenal consists almost entirely out of players of the German league ( Leno, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Sokratis, Xhaka, Özil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, ... ). A bit strange ...
@neumi17
They left mid table, inconsistent, or choker Buli teams for a mid-table, inconsistent, and choker prem team that pays a lot more. Nothing unusual here.
Not sure how adventurous Unai will be feeling, but aubameyang and lacazette up front together could give city some huge issues, especially if they combine it with a high press.
Arsenal 1 - City 3 Arsenal face another season outside of the champions league as we haven't sufficiently strengthened the squad. We lack a world class defender and midfield isn't up to scratch. The Kroenke leveraged buy-out isn't helping things either. Overall, as you can tell, I'm pessimistic. But at least not as pessimistic as Wenger's last season in charge!
I like what we have done in the transfer market thus far (with 12 days to go, I still hope for one more signing). We needed a GK, an experienced CB and a DM. The scouting team were clear on who they wanted and the dilly-dallying we saw under Wenger was non-existent. Makes a refreshing change. The lack of a spine cost us many a time over the last decade but as Gooners have seen in pre-season, the defence is more compact, they shift to cover space when one full-back is advanced and there is always a DM protecting the back 4 & serving as an 'out' ball. Added to a targeted pressing tactic, we look nothing like the porous and delicate outfit we did under Wenger. I'm assuming he will play a 4-1-4-1 which can also function as a 4-3-3. Most players pick themselves but a few positions are open. Time to play "Let's guess the line-up!": LENO, BELLERIN, MUSTAFI, SOKRATIS, KOLASINAC, TORREIRA, MKHITARYAN, RAMSEY, OEZIL, AUBEMAYANG, LACAZETTE. Let's see how spectacularly wrong I am come kickoff.
@SteveHyland Team looks ok. But in my opinion Bellerin and Mustafi are weak links for this standard especially in a team like Arsenal. They are relegation fodder players. The rest of the team is decent. In my view Ramsey is a must, he is very underrated. As for the rest of the team..let's see. I'd like to see Arsenal set up to attack MC and give themselves a chance. Otherwise MC will have too much quality on. Your team is potentially ok. MC are just very difficult. I hope for an Arsenal win but don't really expect it to happen. Let's see.
@Champion- I'm surprised Mustafi is still there. When I heard the news Emery was going to the new boss, I thought "Mustafi, Xhaka and Oezil are gone". All three are still there despite not really being 'Emery' type players. Xhaka signed an extension too. Mustafi could still leave with the transfer window on the continent open but with Chambers leaving on loan, Mavropanos not being ready according to Emery himself and Holding's form being sporadic, that looks unlikely.
@SteveHyland@SteveHyland Steve, we badly need a new CB. Our defenders are average at best compared to the rest of the top 6. I would also like another CM or winger, as it looks a certainty that Ramsey will leave. Kolasinac is injured which means we already have issues at LB
@Overmars- I too would have liked another established CB. Mustafi is either brilliant or rubbish, the latter being the norm last season, but I like Sokratis. As a pure defender, I'd put him above the vast majority in this league although he does have a tendency to jump into tackles which could be perilous with the abundance of pace in the front threes. Hopefully he doesn't replicate his form from last season and we can put that down to the poisonous atmosphere at Dortmund rather than being the start of his decline. Vida has been mooted but he is yet another CB who is brilliant or rubbish. I had hoped we'd sign Junior Firpo from Real Betis (buyout clause of €25m) given Monreal's age and Kolasinac's injury too but that looks unlikely. Emery is a coach first and foremost so my fingers are well and truly crossed that he gets out of certain individuals what Wenger could not. We shall see.
@samirb100 first comment for the new season, and this is the first reply! Hopefully Liverpool can perform better than last season, expectations are higher considering some of their signings.
@daveco7- Liverpool have a title-winning-quality first XI now but there is still an issue with squad depth imo. Shaqiri was a shrewd signing, it gives Klopp the option to change formation if plan A is failing or rotate with Salah. Keita was a monster in DCM in Germany, I'm a big fan of his, and Fabinho is still criminally under-rated. Liverpool's front 6 quite simply looks nasty. Joe Gomez will hopefully get a run in the team playing at CB where he can learn from v.Dijk. That will only be good for England. Alisson is a world class GK so Reds fans should be extremely happy with their transfers this summer.
How can we download the data?
I didn't like the starting formation. It makes more sense for us to play either a 3-man midfield (be it a flat 3 or a 1-2) than 2 with a #10. I feel Unai stuck with the 4-2-3-1 because that is what the majority of the players are used to. His PSG team were balance personified in midfield so that would be the way to go for me. Having said that, there is an issue on the left hand side of CM whichever trio we pick. If we play Torreira sitting in the middle with Ramsey & Oezil flanking, will/can Mesut aggressively press the full game? If you opt for Xhaka, is he going to be able to press at all with his lack of speed? Guendouzi is only 19. I wouldn't want to pin that on a player who prior to today played all of his league games in the French second division so there are issues using Unai's ideal formation. Despite this, I am optimistic. His brand of football is more modern and being a coach rather than a manager, I have faith that players will get better under his stewardship.
As for the tactics, I wouldn't have played a few of the players today (Cech, Guendouzi- though he did ok, Maitland-Niles @ LB or Xhaka until he has learned how to play the role) but playing narrow in defence was a good idea. The personnel was the problem. I'm a big fan of Maitland-Niles and he is in no way, shape or form a LB so deserves not an ounce of criticism today imo but you saw from pretty much the moment Lichtsteiner came on, the City tactic of feeding Mahrez and letting him engage the full-back stopped. On the right, Bellerin had an average-at-best game but Sterling primarily had his brightest moments when cutting inside save for when he twisted Mustafi. The opportunity to score that he took transpired largely because the player who should have been in the position to stop him was warming his backside on the bench (Torreira). It also has to be noted that it should be an error for Petr Cech. Regardless of whether you think the ball is going wide, you put your arms out anyway.
@SteveHyland please expand on why you think playing narrow in defence against City is a good idea?
@MEHJones- *For Arsenal. It may not work for every team. The final two times we played City under Wenger, the defence was stretched which allowed City to take the mick through the middle. Having seen that, Emery's plan was to play narrow but play the CBs wide apart, to support the FBs, with both DCMs just in front of the vacated space. You now have 6 players within the space of half the width of the pitch. This should force City to go wide. If the full backs get out quickly to the City wingers when they are in possession (which Lichtsteiner did to Mahrez every time, Bellerin did to Sterling on occasion and Maitland-Niles didn't at all), you shut down that avenue as well, in theory. Pep's teams are adaptable, players have to be fluid and take up other positions and of course they have immense quality so you will never fully stop them while being an attacking force yourself but this made sense for us based on recent history with similar players. Positional errors were the key....
@SteveHyland-..... Niles primarily because rather than engage Mahrez when he had the ball, he backed off. Lichtsteiner did the complete opposite, shut Mahrez down and made him ineffectual. It also didn't help that on both sides of the pitch, the FBs were not helped by the players in front (Mkhitaryan/Oezil). AMN had to contend with Mahrez coming inside on his left and Walker bombing down the wing overlapping. Bellerin had to contend with Sterling & Mendy doing the mirror image. In comparison, Sterling and Mahrez DID help out their full backs when out of possession via pressing. In the midfield, Guendouzi went ball chasing too often and Xhaka had a nightmare. Both were out of position for Sterling's shot. I would've played Torreira as the lone DM and have two CMs aggressively pressing to the side of him (this is what Pep does with Fernandinho playing almost as a 3rd CB on occasion). Sterling does not even get a shot off if Lucas is playing.
@SteveHyland Many thanks for the comprehensive and insightful reply.
@MEHJones- No problems, though I'm sure many would disagree. Ha
Listening to/reading some of the post-match comments I have today, I think that some people genuinely believe Unai Emery should have turned us into a team capable of competing with the champions after 2 months. Some perspective is needed. Pep Guardiola inherited a better squad than Unai Emery has (including premier league winners), but it still took Pep a full season of experimentation and £298m NET to win the league. City are premier league and champions league favourites, have multiple world class players and a squad depth unrivalled in world football. Not even God would have turned the mediocre outfit we saw under Wenger into equals with the current EPL title holders in 2 months. Added to the fact that everything about the club is different- style, training regime, ethos etc, I would be surprised if we are even level by the end of NEXT season. As long as there is discernible improvement within the performances come the end of 2019/20 then Emery has bettered Wenger's last decade.
Very uninspiring from Arsenal. They look worse than they have. I don't like the way the team was set up AT ALL. Awful from Emery in my opinion.
Arsenal have bought many players from different leagues and they'll need time in the league. Arsenal will definitely not finish in top 4 in my opinion. For me, Emery is not suitable to work in big clubs.
@CirdomAkul Arsenal is not a big club! look at the money spent, totally not!
The trend of Arsenal beginning their season with a loss continues. Hopping for a lit AFTV!
@MathCatsFootball They were playing against the current Champion and with Özil, what did you expect ?
Comfortable victory for City today and probably should have won by more.
@spectre08 I agree and city can perform better
@nekt They hardly got out of 2nd gear tbh and yes they can perform better of course.
Hopefully Arsenal will be relegated with such sucking coach. Playing narrow back 4 vs wide playing City, playing some child with mop on his head in centre of the field (can be hot prospect but still not vs champions). Taking some vampire Liechsteiner as cover.... It is way worse than any kind of Wenger. Or... it was planned
@koziol.mutant ?? Look at the average positions, Mustafi and Sokratis and far apart. The reason Guendouzi is starting is because Torreira is ready yet; and anyway, how can you criticise the coach for not having the same quality of players at his disposal as Man City? If we had an owner pumping a billion pounds into the club, maybe you would be justified in criticising the coach like that.
@What4- £407.05m NET over Pep's three seasons plus the copious amounts spent on De Bruyne/Sterling/Otamendi in Pellegrini's final season.
Lichtsteiner... Still the same clown suffering imaginary headbutts and loss of blood. As a veteran Juventus player he isn't used to the offside rule.
Cant tell if Arsenal are better on the counter than last year, or if citys defense is just slightly unorganized, cause there has been some nervy moments for them in this game. Mahrez and Sterling have been causing all sorts of issues for Arsenal and Expect it to continue. Im sticking with 3-1, thinking mahrez will score or assist aguero at some point.
I guess Özils weak ( normal ) performance is of course to excuse. He gets constantly attacked by racism everywhere, so he can`t play well. At least this is his explanation ...
Nice to see Sterling scoring! I mean that guy creates constantly dangerousl situations, but usually wastes them. A great play and fine definition also.
@dib if he had convertion rate of Salah he could be on the way to fight for Golden Boot
@dib Because his decision making is just awful usually....Like an american old muscel car with lots of hp but no good steering or brakes.
@neumi17 Very accurate example. I gotta say.
Lineups are out, and Arsenal only have 1 striker up top. The 4-2-3-1 with ozil on the wing and ramsey in the middle will probably be a poor choice today. Im not sure Xhaka and guendozi arencapable of dealing with Mahrez and Sterling's runs thru the half space as mendy and walker raid up and down the touch line. City were even better laay year until mendy went down. Unless maitland niles and bellerin have massive games, this one is all city. My guess is 1-3, with auba to get arsenals only goal.
@OhItsABelter I don`t see any line ups ...
@OhItsABelter and *last year... sorry for errors
@OhItsABelter are capable*
Draw.
hmm, both are going aggressively, i hope for entertaining match, score 2-3 for city.
I think this ends up as draw, Arsenal improved their defense and both team want are agressive at the start of the season. 2+g; 2-2
It is my wish to see Man City go down 3 goals to 1 and my wish shall come through. Thank you.
Bundesliga is failing big time but Arsenal consists almost entirely out of players of the German league ( Leno, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Sokratis, Xhaka, Özil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, ... ). A bit strange ...
@neumi17 They left mid table, inconsistent, or choker Buli teams for a mid-table, inconsistent, and choker prem team that pays a lot more. Nothing unusual here.
If Özil ist playing it will be 0-2 ...
Not sure how adventurous Unai will be feeling, but aubameyang and lacazette up front together could give city some huge issues, especially if they combine it with a high press.
Mahrez to start scoring
Humiliating performance wise, somewhat respectable scoreline for arsenal 1-2
city 2-0 arsenal
2-2
Arsenal 1 - City 3 Arsenal face another season outside of the champions league as we haven't sufficiently strengthened the squad. We lack a world class defender and midfield isn't up to scratch. The Kroenke leveraged buy-out isn't helping things either. Overall, as you can tell, I'm pessimistic. But at least not as pessimistic as Wenger's last season in charge!
Do the rest of us a solid and pick up a point Arsenal. Hoping for a 1-1 or something but it'll probably be more like 1-3
Ctiy win 2-1 or 3-2
2-2.
I like what we have done in the transfer market thus far (with 12 days to go, I still hope for one more signing). We needed a GK, an experienced CB and a DM. The scouting team were clear on who they wanted and the dilly-dallying we saw under Wenger was non-existent. Makes a refreshing change. The lack of a spine cost us many a time over the last decade but as Gooners have seen in pre-season, the defence is more compact, they shift to cover space when one full-back is advanced and there is always a DM protecting the back 4 & serving as an 'out' ball. Added to a targeted pressing tactic, we look nothing like the porous and delicate outfit we did under Wenger. I'm assuming he will play a 4-1-4-1 which can also function as a 4-3-3. Most players pick themselves but a few positions are open. Time to play "Let's guess the line-up!": LENO, BELLERIN, MUSTAFI, SOKRATIS, KOLASINAC, TORREIRA, MKHITARYAN, RAMSEY, OEZIL, AUBEMAYANG, LACAZETTE. Let's see how spectacularly wrong I am come kickoff.
@SteveHyland Team looks ok. But in my opinion Bellerin and Mustafi are weak links for this standard especially in a team like Arsenal. They are relegation fodder players. The rest of the team is decent. In my view Ramsey is a must, he is very underrated. As for the rest of the team..let's see. I'd like to see Arsenal set up to attack MC and give themselves a chance. Otherwise MC will have too much quality on. Your team is potentially ok. MC are just very difficult. I hope for an Arsenal win but don't really expect it to happen. Let's see.
@Champion- I'm surprised Mustafi is still there. When I heard the news Emery was going to the new boss, I thought "Mustafi, Xhaka and Oezil are gone". All three are still there despite not really being 'Emery' type players. Xhaka signed an extension too. Mustafi could still leave with the transfer window on the continent open but with Chambers leaving on loan, Mavropanos not being ready according to Emery himself and Holding's form being sporadic, that looks unlikely.
@SteveHyland @SteveHyland Steve, we badly need a new CB. Our defenders are average at best compared to the rest of the top 6. I would also like another CM or winger, as it looks a certainty that Ramsey will leave. Kolasinac is injured which means we already have issues at LB
@Overmars- I too would have liked another established CB. Mustafi is either brilliant or rubbish, the latter being the norm last season, but I like Sokratis. As a pure defender, I'd put him above the vast majority in this league although he does have a tendency to jump into tackles which could be perilous with the abundance of pace in the front threes. Hopefully he doesn't replicate his form from last season and we can put that down to the poisonous atmosphere at Dortmund rather than being the start of his decline. Vida has been mooted but he is yet another CB who is brilliant or rubbish. I had hoped we'd sign Junior Firpo from Real Betis (buyout clause of €25m) given Monreal's age and Kolasinac's injury too but that looks unlikely. Emery is a coach first and foremost so my fingers are well and truly crossed that he gets out of certain individuals what Wenger could not. We shall see.
go Man city , go Mahrez
@samirb100 first comment for the new season, and this is the first reply! Hopefully Liverpool can perform better than last season, expectations are higher considering some of their signings.
@daveco7- Liverpool have a title-winning-quality first XI now but there is still an issue with squad depth imo. Shaqiri was a shrewd signing, it gives Klopp the option to change formation if plan A is failing or rotate with Salah. Keita was a monster in DCM in Germany, I'm a big fan of his, and Fabinho is still criminally under-rated. Liverpool's front 6 quite simply looks nasty. Joe Gomez will hopefully get a run in the team playing at CB where he can learn from v.Dijk. That will only be good for England. Alisson is a world class GK so Reds fans should be extremely happy with their transfers this summer.