Very good performance, albeit against a team low on confidence. I thought my 3-0 prediction was going to fall well short but we wasted a couple of chances after scoring the 3rd. Welbeck was excellent, never stopped running (at their defence or back to help our own) and I'm glad the stat-based rating reflects this. Oezil played well without dramatically affecting the stats, Kolasinac and Lacazette also impressive. I'm guessing they have adapted to the league now. Hopefully we rest most of this team against Cologne on Thursday and are prepared for a much harder task against Chelsea next weekend. That is a must-not-lose.
@SteveHyland Pay no mind to this troll. This is the same pathetic kid who has been trolling on this site for years and Admins refuse to do anything about it. Look at his history. He is only shitting on Bosnian players or any foreign player that is Muslim.
The troll is once again, likely a Croat. He only praises Kramaric while consistently shitting on Bosnian players.
Hey @Admin -- how about you do something about this 3-4 year long issue? Or are children running this site?
Wenger should be using 4231 against a side like Bournemouth at home with Arsenal's history of dominance at home against less sides with this system. I won't hold my breath however.
We are a clusterf*ck right now, one of the most mismanaged clubs in the league (with West Ham), if we don't win here there will be outright revolt. We absolutely screwed up our transfer window and there is no consistent strategy at any level at the club. We've fallen behind Liverpool and Sp*rs, and are on Everton's level. But at least Everton invest in players well and can sign players, as well as offloading unwanted higher earners - something Arsenal can't seem to do.
2/2- If positioning is addressed then we will look twice the team we have done thus far. Granted, that wouldn't be difficult. After the backlash following the Liverpool humiliation, I expected a usually reticent Arsene Wenger would have given the players a rollicking. He often leaves shouting to the players in the belief it ultimately creates a stronger team who end up taking responsibility. I would argue against that theory given what I've seen over the past 10 years and when you don't have a natural leader (Adams, Vieira...), I would prefer the manager to do the hollering but it came out Petr Cech was the one who assumed the mantle. His standing and respect in the dressing room is huge, so fingers crossed it has the desired effect. Anything but a convincing win here will do nothing to suppress the exasperation currently flowing through a fair proportion of Gooners, even those who wanted Wenger to stay, but being an optimist from August to December, I am predicting such a result. 3-0.
@SteveHyland I would like to start by saying it's nice to read a semi positive review of Arsenal. But I can't help but feel there's nothing for you to be happy about as long as you're paying the highest season ticket prices in world football. For years Wenger talked about having 400 million in the bank, that coincided with him being the highest paid manager in the league.... Ultimately I think Arsenal have not built a team to even challenge for the league, even the biggest optimist would struggle to argue that. It's become extremely apparent that your owners care about success about as much as Mike Ashley and they bought Arsenal for the same reason, to take money out!!
An overall average transfer window which culminated in the final day farce, but if Alexis plays how he usually does (a big question mark given what has gone on), then our first XI is better than last season's and we have the added benefit of no champions league. Our squad doesn't seem to be set up to play more than 1 competition in all honesty, so I'm hoping that is indicative of Wenger's Europa league plans- injuries permitting. Failure to address our biggest problem, central midfield, is a worry with either Goretzka or Seri being an upgrade to Ramsey (defensively) in the 3-4-2-1 system which I hope we persevere with. The common denominator through the 3 games have been individual errors, largely finishing and positioning. I look forward to seeing what our 'stock' defensive lineup will be. I highly doubt Wenger has bought a potentially world class LB to play CB so I'm assuming Mustafi/BFG/Koscielny- which could work if the trio are restricted to league games. 1/2
@SteveHyland "..An overall average transfer window.."This is a highly charitable view of our window Steve. Considering vs Liverpool we had 3 players on the pitch who wanted to leave Arsenal and only 1 actually left (to join rivals LFC). We also had 1 player on the bench who wanted to leave (Mustafi, he's also 'squared up' to teammates on the training ground), and have not managed to get rid of players we needed to who are taking up a massive amount of wages (Debuchy and many others). Our transfer policy and strategy has been an absolute clusterfuck and a disaster, I expect our league campaign to be the same. 5th would be a decent finish with this squad and manager. Anything higher are the delusions of an optimistic fanbase, sorry to say.
@Overmars- I was being nice, which is strange for me lol, but Lacazette & Kolasinac could develop into top players. I'm not sure why we held out until the last day if Wenger was always open to selling Alexis because we could've got the Lemar deal done 2 months previously and for less money than £92m. Hopefully those who want to leave knuckle down and realise they are professionals who are essentially being paid by the fans. Then we can re-evaluate in January and look forward to another terrible transfer window.....
@SteveHyland Of course. If I was a betting man I'd have bet big on Arsenal winning regardless of the odds. But betting is a fools game. I was 100% sure Arsenal would win comfortably. But in football there's always the possibility of something like a red card happening for Arsenal early on . We saw what happened with Liverpool today. It's why I never bet on football.
Very good performance, albeit against a team low on confidence. I thought my 3-0 prediction was going to fall well short but we wasted a couple of chances after scoring the 3rd. Welbeck was excellent, never stopped running (at their defence or back to help our own) and I'm glad the stat-based rating reflects this. Oezil played well without dramatically affecting the stats, Kolasinac and Lacazette also impressive. I'm guessing they have adapted to the league now. Hopefully we rest most of this team against Cologne on Thursday and are prepared for a much harder task against Chelsea next weekend. That is a must-not-lose.
At half time, Özil with zero shots, dribbles and not even a single keypass ! What is he on the pitch for exactly ?
@neumi17 have you been watching the game? He's been very good
Kolasinak play OMG Arsenal lose match
@Romano- Kolasinak didn't play. His brother Kolasinac, however, did and was excellent. The strength of Allah. ;-)
@SteveHyland Pay no mind to this troll. This is the same pathetic kid who has been trolling on this site for years and Admins refuse to do anything about it. Look at his history. He is only shitting on Bosnian players or any foreign player that is Muslim. The troll is once again, likely a Croat. He only praises Kramaric while consistently shitting on Bosnian players. Hey @Admin -- how about you do something about this 3-4 year long issue? Or are children running this site?
I am going for a 3-2 arsenal win.
Wenger should be using 4231 against a side like Bournemouth at home with Arsenal's history of dominance at home against less sides with this system. I won't hold my breath however.
Which joker picked Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for MOTM?
@MEHJones Which joker allowed Alex Oxlade Chamberlain to be an option for MOTM?
@uefalona LOL! True, it's likely a historical record that needs to be updated.
Arsenal should win this, surely!
If you bet. Avoid getting on Arsenal!
1-0
Arsenal 2 - 1 Bournemouth
We are a clusterf*ck right now, one of the most mismanaged clubs in the league (with West Ham), if we don't win here there will be outright revolt. We absolutely screwed up our transfer window and there is no consistent strategy at any level at the club. We've fallen behind Liverpool and Sp*rs, and are on Everton's level. But at least Everton invest in players well and can sign players, as well as offloading unwanted higher earners - something Arsenal can't seem to do.
2/2- If positioning is addressed then we will look twice the team we have done thus far. Granted, that wouldn't be difficult. After the backlash following the Liverpool humiliation, I expected a usually reticent Arsene Wenger would have given the players a rollicking. He often leaves shouting to the players in the belief it ultimately creates a stronger team who end up taking responsibility. I would argue against that theory given what I've seen over the past 10 years and when you don't have a natural leader (Adams, Vieira...), I would prefer the manager to do the hollering but it came out Petr Cech was the one who assumed the mantle. His standing and respect in the dressing room is huge, so fingers crossed it has the desired effect. Anything but a convincing win here will do nothing to suppress the exasperation currently flowing through a fair proportion of Gooners, even those who wanted Wenger to stay, but being an optimist from August to December, I am predicting such a result. 3-0.
@SteveHyland I would like to start by saying it's nice to read a semi positive review of Arsenal. But I can't help but feel there's nothing for you to be happy about as long as you're paying the highest season ticket prices in world football. For years Wenger talked about having 400 million in the bank, that coincided with him being the highest paid manager in the league.... Ultimately I think Arsenal have not built a team to even challenge for the league, even the biggest optimist would struggle to argue that. It's become extremely apparent that your owners care about success about as much as Mike Ashley and they bought Arsenal for the same reason, to take money out!!
An overall average transfer window which culminated in the final day farce, but if Alexis plays how he usually does (a big question mark given what has gone on), then our first XI is better than last season's and we have the added benefit of no champions league. Our squad doesn't seem to be set up to play more than 1 competition in all honesty, so I'm hoping that is indicative of Wenger's Europa league plans- injuries permitting. Failure to address our biggest problem, central midfield, is a worry with either Goretzka or Seri being an upgrade to Ramsey (defensively) in the 3-4-2-1 system which I hope we persevere with. The common denominator through the 3 games have been individual errors, largely finishing and positioning. I look forward to seeing what our 'stock' defensive lineup will be. I highly doubt Wenger has bought a potentially world class LB to play CB so I'm assuming Mustafi/BFG/Koscielny- which could work if the trio are restricted to league games. 1/2
@SteveHyland "..An overall average transfer window.."This is a highly charitable view of our window Steve. Considering vs Liverpool we had 3 players on the pitch who wanted to leave Arsenal and only 1 actually left (to join rivals LFC). We also had 1 player on the bench who wanted to leave (Mustafi, he's also 'squared up' to teammates on the training ground), and have not managed to get rid of players we needed to who are taking up a massive amount of wages (Debuchy and many others). Our transfer policy and strategy has been an absolute clusterfuck and a disaster, I expect our league campaign to be the same. 5th would be a decent finish with this squad and manager. Anything higher are the delusions of an optimistic fanbase, sorry to say.
@Overmars- I was being nice, which is strange for me lol, but Lacazette & Kolasinac could develop into top players. I'm not sure why we held out until the last day if Wenger was always open to selling Alexis because we could've got the Lemar deal done 2 months previously and for less money than £92m. Hopefully those who want to leave knuckle down and realise they are professionals who are essentially being paid by the fans. Then we can re-evaluate in January and look forward to another terrible transfer window.....
under 3.5, score draw, 1-1
over 3.5 match goals and arsenal to win @ 3-2 Defoe to score
arsenal win
Arsenal win.
@Champion- God, I hope.
@SteveHyland Of course. If I was a betting man I'd have bet big on Arsenal winning regardless of the odds. But betting is a fools game. I was 100% sure Arsenal would win comfortably. But in football there's always the possibility of something like a red card happening for Arsenal early on . We saw what happened with Liverpool today. It's why I never bet on football.