Arsenal 2019-2020 - Because Thursday Games are the Best Way to Start the Weekend

fletcherpost

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Is there any evidence at all that Arsenal is actually considering sacking Emery?
You're not going to get anything coming from inside the club. To be honest i thought he'd see the season out but not get the option on the third year. But the odds of Emery getting the sack have shortened in the last two weeks (he's 3rd favourite behind the Everton and Southampton managers) and the betting market for his successor is hotting up as is the online chit chat.

But, you're also seeing more ex playing pundits getting more vocal in their displeasure at his tactics and handling of certain situations:: Ozil, the Xhaka captaincy, in game substitutions.

There's also a growing concern that failure to get top 4 could lead to some key players leaving, in addition to the obvious loss of revenue and Arsenal being a draw for top players. Add to the fact that there's no loyality or emotional attachment to Emery as manager and you've got a set of actual and potential circumstances that lead to his position being less secure now than at any time in the last 14 months. And I'm not even mentioning the fans growing frustrations and the toxicity that can lead to inside the ground. I think if the fans displeasure continues to grow, he's gone.

Of course when you get journalists who have an inside ear starting to chime in (we're not there yet) then one might say the endgame is approaching.

Would you give me odds that he doesn't make it to the end of the season. If you gave me 2-1 I'd bite your hand off.
 
Do teams make statements that they're thinking about firing a coach, or do they just do it?
Usually a manager gets the dreaded "vote of confidence" before he gets sacked...but before then, you usually have rumors from well-connected sources in the club which at least hint at there being trouble afoot. Right now, all I'm seeing is wishful thinking from fans. (Don't get me wrong - I'd be happy to see Emery out at this rate - but speaking as a Falcons fan, I'm getting Dan Quinn vibes here: he's worthy of being sacked now but will probably survive to the end of the season.)
 
And I'm not even mentioning the fans growing frustrations and the toxicity that can lead to inside the ground. I think if the fans displeasure continues to grow, he's gone.
Wenger's presence for so many years after his sell-by date had expired led to abundant toxicity, but Kroenke wouldn't be moved until he absolutely had to. I just don't see him pulling the trigger this hastily, despite all of the other evidence you mentioned, without first there being some sign from inside the club that there's a whisper of a rumor of a thought that he might get the axe. (For example, I'll be reading the columns of Amy Lawrence and David Ornstein closely going forward...)
 

shaggydog2000

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Wenger's presence for so many years after his sell-by date had expired led to abundant toxicity, but Kroenke wouldn't be moved until he absolutely had to. I just don't see him pulling the trigger this hastily, despite all of the other evidence you mentioned, without first there being some sign from inside the club that there's a whisper of a rumor of a thought that he might get the axe. (For example, I'll be reading the columns of Amy Lawrence and David Ornstein closely going forward...)
He was asked by a reporter about being fired after the last game. So it's not like it isn't out there. I don't think we can compare this era to the one where Wenger had almost total control. Vinai has his own goals, and getting into the Champions league is number one on that list. With the payroll they have, he pretty much has to in order to make the dollars add up. He's going to have a quicker trigger than the Kroenkes did 3-4 years ago. Or at least I hope he does, because this team is a lot more talented than their play has shown the last few weeks.
 

mikeford

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The internet rumors are saying if Emery loses to Leicester he's getting in the bin

To which I would say, if one more game puts him on his ass, then he should already be gone.
 

fletcherpost

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Wenger's presence for so many years after his sell-by date had expired led to abundant toxicity, but Kroenke wouldn't be moved until he absolutely had to. I just don't see him pulling the trigger this hastily, despite all of the other evidence you mentioned, without first there being some sign from inside the club that there's a whisper of a rumor of a thought that he might get the axe. (For example, I'll be reading the columns of Amy Lawrence and David Ornstein closely going forward...)
Yeah those were the writers I was thinking about.

I think it's fair to say Kroenke is motivated by money more than love of the great institution that is Arsenal FC. Wenger more often than not got Arsenal into top 4. As he lurched towards the end times of his tenure the league postion started to wane. The goals have moved for Arsenal. No one talks about winning the league anymore. But top 4 is becoming more of a distant possibility and that's money that isn't heading into the bank account.

I think Chelsea have surprised a lot of people this year, and they look like top 4 is well on for them. That leaves one place and them plucky Foxes have designs on CL footie next season. Oh, and Spurs.

I'd say if the top brass are not thinking about a change of manager they're lighting money on fire. One can argue that Arsenal are two or three quality players and a better coach away from being certs for top 4. But if they were to lose Lacazette & Aubameyang, (at the end of this season) two players who deserve to be playing CL footie...well if i was a fan...that's not something I'd want to contemplate.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Leicester City has been playing as well as Arsenal have been playing poorly, so there is little doubt in my mind that next weekend at Leicester will be a loss, unfortunately. That will set them 9 points behind Leicester, and very possibly Chelsea (if Chelsea win at home against Crystal Palace).

Being 9 points out of the top 4 after match week 12, before an international break, definitely will give them a clear cut opportunity to sack Emery. If he makes it through that, then I suspect he's here for the year.

It's kind of funny that Rodgers has 7-1 odds to be the next Arsenal manager. I'm picturing him beating Arsenal next weekend and then announcing his move during the post-game talks, and just heading straight into the away side dressing room to fix this mess. (I know, it's more likely that the odds-makers are thinking he would be a next season type move, but this is more fun.)
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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Was just coming in here to post this. Aubameyang has been named the new captain.

Xhaka getting sold in January would be fantastic. He and Mustafi were the two I wanted to go in August that didn't make a move.
 

mikeford

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It doesn't matter who the captain is - unless he's not otherwise an automatic selection for the side and then becomes one by getting the captaincy. Which was precisely the issue with picking Xhaka in the first place.
I beg to differ. Arsenal have had shit captains for nearly 15 years and well... Haven't won the league in that long either
 

lars10

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It's a symptom of the rot
Who would you choose? Auba has been their best player and hasn’t complained at all as far as I’ve heard. You just want them to give it to whomever has been here the longest?

edit: and lol at who the captain is being a major or really even minor part of the reason for not winning in 15 years... the coaches they’ve chosen, the ownership and the stubbornness of both to adapt to today’s game are probably 100x more important.
 

Tuff Ghost

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I think Aubameyang is a great captain choice. His play is one of the few consistently enjoyable things for Arsenal fans over the last year or two. He seems like a positive guy and good teammate, so I don't know what the problem with selecting him is. (Plus, if it increases the odds of him staying here by any percent greater than 0, then it would be worth it for that alone. Sure, it probably is not going to matter, but it does not hurt.)

He seems like a great guy for some of the young guys to learn from (Saka, Martinelli, Nelson).

He is also someone who should be playing every week in the Premier League, unlike Xhaka, so I see no issues with the selection, except that it took this long, round-about way to get to this point.
 

mikeford

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The captain should be Hector Bellerin.

Just go watch his reaction to us losing on PKs to Liverpool.

He's a leader. He doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks of him and he's obviously very thoughtful and intelligent. It should be him.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Interesting starting XI against Vitoria today:

Martinez, Mustafi, Holding, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Ceballos, Willock, Tierney, Pepe, Martinelli, Saka

Presumably it is a back three. I am glad that Bellerin and Torreira are not playing, as that hopefully indicates they'll play against Leicester City. On the other hand, Tierney and Pepe are starting, so that could affect their weekend availability (particularly Tierney who is still working his way back from injury). Hopefully, he'll get Tierney off early for Kolasinac.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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I have not watched a second of this game, but just pulled it up on Gamecast and I have no idea what the hell is happening for Arsenal. 65% possession, but only 4 shots with 0 on goal. Contrast that to 11 and 3 for Guimaraes.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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This is the kind of half ass performance typical of a group of players that no longer believe in an embattled manager.

You go through the motions and you keep the ball, but you lack that little bit of energy, sharpness, and desire that is necessary to actually do anything threatening with the ball.
 

Tuff Ghost

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I am glad I missed this one. It sounded ugly; not that the match mattered that much.

For the fourth game in a row, Arsenal surrendered a lead and magicked a victory into a draw. It is a troubling habit for the defenders to develop, especially when the forwards are barely creating a chance of note between them. Once again there was a lack of coherence in attack for Arsenal, and once again there was a flakiness at the back in the moments that matter most.
The unfortunate reality for Arsenal was that Vitoria were worthy of their point, if not more. The home side could have had all three, in truth, had they not wasted a trio of late chances as Arsenal lost their composure. Mustafi was just inches away from scoring a match-winning own goal.
-Quotes from the Telegraph

Apparently, Ceballos injured his hamstring, also, but there is no word on the severity yet.
 

Tuff Ghost

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The underlying numbers are looking pretty consistently bad this year. They definitely have a problem with giving up way too many shots and not getting enough. A lot of the shots they give up may be lower percentage and they do a pretty good job blocking a lot of them, but this approach is obviously not working. They can control possession (a lot of CB to CB passing), but are not doing anything in the final third or box.

Some scary numbers (some data and the quote via Arseblog):
Yesterday v. Vitoria:
  • Shots 15-7 Vitoria
  • Shots on target 4-1 Vitoria
  • 1 pass completed in the box for Arsenal (excludes crosses; with crosses it was 5)
In this match Arsenal had the definition of sterile possession. Arsenal struggled to advance the ball, and when they did it was only though the wings. Arsenal’s passing resembled the dreaded “U” shape but instead of the typical shape around the 18 yard box, this was around the halfway line. Almost all of Arsenal’s top pass combinations were between their center backs.
On the season:
  • 9 out of 15 matches (Europa and Premier League) Arsenal have been out-shot
  • Shot differential is -24 on the year
  • xG in the Premier League (via Understat):
    • xG for: 15.21, xGA: 17.07
    • Based on xG, their expected points in Premier League are 14.22, which is 10th best
The full list of teams that have out shot Arsenal this season is: Newcastle United (15th in the Premier League), Burnley (14th), Liverpool (1st), Watford (20th), Frankfurt (7th in the Bundesliga), Manchester United (10th), Vitoria (5th in Primeria Liga, twice), and Wolverhampton (12th).
I am ready for change. I am starting to wish for Arteta to come in. I feel like a fan of a mediocre NFL team who mistakenly thinks some Belichik coaching-tree disciple will come in and fix things (in this case a Man City/Pep disciple), but anything is worth a shot at this point. The fact that Arteta played for Arsenal adds to it. It's hard to believe he'll actually be interested in the job, though. Pep has said that he expects Arteta to take over Man City for him some day.
 

mikeford

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I'm fine with just sacking him and giving the team to Freddie for the rest of the season while Raul and Edu find the next full time guy (hopefully Allegri, ten Hag or Nagelsmann... or Pochettino)
 

lars10

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So Xhaka says he can't play against Leicester... Are his days numbered with Arsenal? January?
 

Tuff Ghost

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There is a rumor of Newcastle having interest in Xhaka during the January window. All signs point to him being gone and it would seem to be for the best.

I have my doubts that Allegri or ten Hag would want to manage Arsenal at this point. There is little hope of Champions League football, so I cannot see them being eager to take the job.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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There is a rumor of Newcastle having interest in Xhaka during the January window.

I have my doubts that Allegri or ten Hag would want to manage Arsenal at this point. There is little hope of Champions League football, so I cannot see them being eager to take the job.
I think Xhaka goes back to the Bundesliga. He's been awful in England.

Why do you believe there's little hope of Champions League? I believe this team is definitely one of the five most talented teams in England. They're just getting two definite XI starters healthy (Tierney and Bellerin) and are slowly getting Chambers and Holding back into form as well. This team should absolutely finish top form with how Spurs and United are playing.

They've also got fantastic young players for the first time in a long time with Tierney, Bellerin, Pepe, Guendouzzi, Martinelli, and Torreira. Plus Saliba set to join next season. We'll see if they can convince Ceballos to stick around. I think he's 50/50 at this point. I think it should be a far more attractive position than it's been the last 3-4 years.
 

mikeford

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Another Emeryball special. No shots after the 53rd minute.

This guy is a disgrace and probably shouldn't coach football ever again.
 

mikeford

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Ornacle basically said no change is coming and the board supports Emery 100%


This is not a serious club. This is a money laundering vehicle for Stan Kroenke.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Why do you believe there's little hope of Champions League? I believe this team is definitely one of the five most talented teams in England.
I really like a lot of players on this team and I love the youth, but I am not sure that they are definitely one of the five most talented teams. Here are a few reasons why I do not like their chances of Champions League football.

1. Competition in Premier League
There are a lot of good squads in the top half of the table. Liverpool and Manchester City are in a tier completely separate from Arsenal (even a banged up Man City). They have incredible managers, better talent, depth, and money. That leaves 2 spots for Champions League for other teams in England.

Chelsea is a team back on the ascendancy. I'd take their talent over Arsenal's right now and a lot of their talent is young. They have unlimited money to spend, so post-transfer ban, they'll make big splashes to sure up any weaknesses or players aging out. They also have an army of loanees that they can recall when needed. Lampard still needs to prove he's not just on an "Ole Gunnar Solskaer new manager hot streak," but it is hard to quibble with anything he's done. Year over year, I expect Chelsea to be better than Arsenal. That leaves one spot for Champions League.

Leicester City may be on a hot streak and come back to life next year, but right now, they are playing at a different level from Arsenal. Rodgers has the team playing like a well-oiled machine and they are just relentless on the attack. It is as if they get stronger by every goal they score and they do not let up. This year, they are a better team than Arsenal, but I could see them falling back a bit next year if they sell players or possibly lose Rodgers to a bigger club.

Manchester United are probably at about as low of a point as they'll reach, and they are about level with Arsenal. I'd take Arsenal's current team over Manchester United's, but they have unlimited money to throw around and eventually they'll modernize and find something that works. This year, I'd say it's a toss-up between Arsenal and Man United, but over the next 5 years, I'd take United.

Tottenham are about comparable with Arsenal on talent, and they too are going through a rough streak, but they are only a few months removed from playing in a Champions League final. I don't know what's going on right now, but I suspect they'll work things out and improve from their current form. It's another toss-up to me whether or not Arsenal will finish ahead of them.

Basically, Arsenal needs a combination of things to go right with their own team and very wrong at some better teams to have a chance at Champions League. Mathematically, it is just not in their favor.

2. Underlying numbers are not good
I think expected goals can sometimes be a bit misleading, but it does add one other thing to consider when watching, and honestly it seems to match the eye test with last year's team.

Last year's team had a lucky stretch in the fall that made them finish in a higher slot than they deserved. (Numbers via Understat)
2018/19 actual goals scored: 73, xG: 64
2018/19 actual goals allowed: 51, xGA: 57
2018/19 actual points: 70, expected points: 58

The poor run of results in the spring may have just been some regression to the mean for them, yet they still finished 12 points over where xG would have predicted, probably thanks to some clinical finishing by Aubameyang. Based on xG, they had the 7th best team last year (behind City, Liverpool, Chelsea, United, Tottenham, and Wolves; Leicester was just behind them at 56 xPts).

Based on xG so far this season, they have the 12th best team. Their goals scored/allowed is in line with the xG, but other teams have deserved to take more points than they have based on better underlying numbers.
Actual goals scored: 16, xG: 16
Actual goals allowed: 17, xGA: 18
Actual points: 17, xPts: 15

They are constantly being outshot (11 out of 18 matches in all comps this year), even by teams that have no business outshooting them like Watford.

3. Fear of departures
Aubameyang and Lacazette deserve to play in the Champions League. When Arsenal finish outside the top four again this year, I think they are gone. I like the young talent that can step-in, but that will certainly be a step back, at least for a little while.

4. Sustained poor performance
Over their last 19 Premier League games, they've taken 24 points out 57. That is not pretty, and that is a half-season worth of football.

@Orbinho on Twitter tweets all sorts of numbers that will keep Arsenal fans up at night, but I think I'll stop here because I do not mean to be so negative on the squad. I think the splashy acquisition of Pepe (and Tierney) may have got some Arsenal fans' (very much including me) hopes up too high for the year, but realistically, I do not see them getting into Champions League.
 

shaggydog2000

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I was in the "give him time to show what he can do" camp. But I've seen it now. There's just nothing I can think of that he does well. I can't think of any player who appears to play better under him. The lineups never seem to make sense. No matter the formation they're in or who they play the team is listless and can't control things. It's not like they have trouble against a certain type of team. All teams and all formations give them trouble. I've had enough.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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I really like a lot of players on this team and I love the youth, but I am not sure that they are definitely one of the five most talented teams. Here are a few reasons why I do not like their chances of Champions League football.

1. Competition in Premier League
There are a lot of good squads in the top half of the table. Liverpool and Manchester City are in a tier completely separate from Arsenal (even a banged up Man City). They have incredible managers, better talent, depth, and money. That leaves 2 spots for Champions League for other teams in England.

Chelsea is a team back on the ascendancy. I'd take their talent over Arsenal's right now and a lot of their talent is young. They have unlimited money to spend, so post-transfer ban, they'll make big splashes to sure up any weaknesses or players aging out. They also have an army of loanees that they can recall when needed. Lampard still needs to prove he's not just on an "Ole Gunnar Solskaer new manager hot streak," but it is hard to quibble with anything he's done. Year over year, I expect Chelsea to be better than Arsenal. That leaves one spot for Champions League.

Leicester City may be on a hot streak and come back to life next year, but right now, they are playing at a different level from Arsenal. Rodgers has the team playing like a well-oiled machine and they are just relentless on the attack. It is as if they get stronger by every goal they score and they do not let up. This year, they are a better team than Arsenal, but I could see them falling back a bit next year if they sell players or possibly lose Rodgers to a bigger club.

Manchester United are probably at about as low of a point as they'll reach, and they are about level with Arsenal. I'd take Arsenal's current team over Manchester United's, but they have unlimited money to throw around and eventually they'll modernize and find something that works. This year, I'd say it's a toss-up between Arsenal and Man United, but over the next 5 years, I'd take United.

Tottenham are about comparable with Arsenal on talent, and they too are going through a rough streak, but they are only a few months removed from playing in a Champions League final. I don't know what's going on right now, but I suspect they'll work things out and improve from their current form. It's another toss-up to me whether or not Arsenal will finish ahead of them.

Basically, Arsenal needs a combination of things to go right with their own team and very wrong at some better teams to have a chance at Champions League. Mathematically, it is just not in their favor.
Greatly appreciate the detailed response here. I think my issue (or question) on your previous statement was whether it related to this season or future seasons, and the tricky thing as pointed out in your response is that you're referring to a mix of both. With this current squad and especially the performances of ManU and Spurs this year, Arsenal should absolutely qualify for the Champions League this year. They are also one of the teams that should benefit most by players returning from injury (basically starters or the first sub for the entire defensive line). Despite the recent performances, I don't in any way believe that Leicester City is a better team than Arsenal, and like most find the manager fully accountable.

The Premier League is going to be both more interesting and frustrating for fans of the top clubs for the foreseeable future. You've only got 4 to come out of Liverpool, City, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs on a yearly basis, and it appears that it's going to be difficult for these teams to rebuild on the fly without dropping out of the Champions League for a season or two at a time.

I was in the "give him time to show what he can do" camp. But I've seen it now. There's just nothing I can think of that he does well. I can't think of any player who appears to play better under him. The lineups never seem to make sense. No matter the formation they're in or who they play the team is listless and can't control things. It's not like they have trouble against a certain type of team. All teams and all formations give them trouble. I've had enough.
Count me in this exact camp too. I wrote about it at the beginning of the season that my biggest concern is that outside of Guendouzzi, none of the players outperformed any of their expectations or improved under Emery and that seems to be getting worse this year. I look at Pepe and I see a player that looked best out of the gate and has only looked worse with additional time at the club. There is not a better time to do this than right now. International break. Coming off the loss to Leicester after a number of horrific performances, draws against inferior opponents, giving up leads. They should let Freddy take over the reigns for the rest of the season and then see who wants it this summer.
 

67YAZ

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Despite the recent performances, I don't in any way believe that Leicester City is a better team than Arsenal, and like most find the manager fully accountable.
There's no defending Emery, but do be more generous with the blame. This team has seen too much turnover at the director level lately to have a coherent approach to player recruitment and development. I agree that Leicester isn't as good as Arsenal on paper, but Leicester is a really well rounded and balanced squad that comes in at 70% of the salary that Arsenal spend. Leicester have be able to do this, in part, through great consistency in their football operations. The underappreciated Jon Rudkin, has been both Director of Football and head of the academy since 2014, started with Leicester in 1998 as an assistant youth coach. They've become a club with a clear philosophy that can consistently develop first team players, do tidy business in the transfer market, and bring in managers that will operate within the set up.

That's years worth of organizational development, which Arsenal have not put in. I still don't really understand what happened with Mislintat, but he's an example of Arsenal groping around for the right outlook post-Wenger. The Edu-Sanllehi pair have plenty of work ahead.
 

BostonJack42

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I have zero idea what formation or tactics they supposedly used.

Seemed to me that Auba and Laz were on the flanks the whole time and in thoroughly nonthreatening positions when they had the ball. The only guy in the box or the middle of the field on offense was Ozil - who is the absolute definition of nonthreatening.

Teams get a "bump" when a new manager comes in and it's readily apparent that this team needs a bump.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Well, that was another depressing performance this weekend. Playing at home against Southampton (2-2-8, 8 points coming into the match) and they managed to get lucky and save a draw.

Starting with three center-backs was the move of a manager playing fearful and having no trust in his defense. If Arsenal cannot be on the attack at home against Southampton, then when can they?

The underlying numbers are again not good:
  • xG: 1.6 to 2.6 Southampton (link)
  • Shots: 12 to 21 Southampton
  • Shots on Target: 5 to 6 Southampton
I thought Torreira did not look good and I am wondering if I overrated him. I am uncertain over whether Emery jerking him around recently (minimizing playing time, trying him as an attacking mid-fielder) is the problem, or if Emery is doing this because Torreira is not up to the job of a starting defensive mid-fielder. I thought he was good last year, but a lot of my positive memories are from the earlier part of last season when their results where outperforming the expected results.

There are more rumors heating up about Arteta and Allegri as possible Emery replacements, but I am doubtful that they are going to make a move.

I would love for this report to be right, though:
Arsenal would be interested in talking to Mikel Arteta and Massimiliano Allegri as potential replacements for Unai Emery, who looks increasingly likely to leave the club.

Before yesterday’s abject 2-2 draw at home to Southampton, the club had been determined to stick with the Spanish head coach until the end of the season, but their position has shifted amid mounting concern in the boardroom and anger from supporters.
The Times link (paywall)

I don't think Pochettino would come to Arsenal (there is a quote from a while back in which he said he'd never coach Barcelona or Arsenal, the rivals for Espanyol and Spurs), but the English media is still speculating about him, too.

I'd happily take any of those three as manager at this point. Something needs to change.

Edit: Fixed Southampton's point total coming into the match. Originally wrote 12, but it was 8 points.
 
Last edited:

Time to Mo Vaughn

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Well, that was another depressing performance this weekend. Playing at home against Southampton (2-2-8, 8 points coming into the match) and they managed to get lucky and save a draw.

Starting with three center-backs was the move of a manager playing fearful and having no trust in his defense. If Arsenal cannot be on the attack at home against Southampton, then when can they?

The underlying numbers are again not good:
  • xG: 1.6 to 2.6 Southampton (link)
  • Shots: 12 to 21 Southampton
  • Shots on Target: 5 to 6 Southampton
I thought Torreira did not look good and I am wondering if I overrated him. I am uncertain over whether Emery jerking him around recently (minimizing playing time, trying him as an attacking mid-fielder) is the problem, or if Emery is doing this because Torreira is not up to the job of a starting defensive mid-fielder. I thought he was good last year, but a lot of my positive memories are from the earlier part of last season when their results where outperforming the expected results.

There are more rumors heating up about Arteta and Allegri as possible Emery replacements, but I am doubtful that they are going to make a move.

I would love for this report to be right, though:

The Times link (paywall)

I don't think Pochettino would come to Arsenal (there is a quote from a while back in which he said he'd never coach Barcelona or Arsenal, the rivals for Espanyol and Spurs), but the English media is still speculating about him, too.

I'd happily take any of those three as manager at this point. Something needs to change.

Edit: Fixed Southampton's point total coming into the match. Originally wrote 12, but it was 8 points.
Every player seems to place worse for Emery than they did prior to Arsenal or when playing in other competitions.

I rate Torreira pretty highly and have wanted him in the starting lineup, but admit he hasn't displayed much for Arsenal. Meanwhile every time I see him play for Uruguay, it seems like he's dominating near the top of his own box and blocking 10 shots a game. Here's an article about his performance just a week ago in an international match vs. Argentina: https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/19/lucas-torreira-proves-arsenal-manager-unai-emery-wrong-superb-defensive-midfield-display-uruguay-11179492/

Emery has to go at this point. The sum is so much less than all of the parts right now. I'd happily take Arteta,Allegri or Poch. I'd happily let Freddy finish out the season.
 

Tuff Ghost

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Jul 15, 2005
652
Great point on Torreira's Uruguay performance. Emery seems to be literally pushing him out the door and if nothing changes, I suspect he'll be gone next summer (Torreira's agent has been talking about it a lot).
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,462
Gallows Hill
Hopefully they come to their senses and realize they hired the wrong manager. It’s gone from bad to worse.
 
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