As far as poor refereeing goes, this is probably the worst decision I've seen in a long time. Yellow card.

Only caught the last 20 mins of the Burnley game so can't comment too much on the performance. The part I did see was a bit frustrating, we had some really good chances to counter attack but wasted them with poor passing that looked sloppy more than anything. .

Agree with those that say we need more goals from our attack minded midfielders, as much as they carried us at times last year that does mean Saka and Smith Rowe.
One thing I’ve noticed from the games so far is Smith Rowe is much more willing to shoot and is getting in those goal scoring positions. Right now the composure and conviction in the finish is missing. That goal he scored in extra time v Newcastle in the fa cup is a prime example of a classic finish. Compared to the shot too close to the gk v Norwich and the relatively tame prod v Burnley.
If he keeps getting in those areas the goals will come.
For a successful season we need maybe 8 league goals each from Saka, Pépé, Ødegaard and Smith Rowe. We’d also need a similar 30+ contribution from all our strikers combined. Then add in another 10-15 goals from central mid, defence and own goals and you’ve got the right number of goals to finish 5th

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fUnRUAKIyaM&feature=youtu.be

Good interview with Per Mertesacker here.

This was a theme throughout (underhit passes, passes behind the attacker, etc). At the moment I'll chalk it down to players getting to know each other but some crisper, more accurate attacking passes would have seen us 3 up.

I'm hoping that the young team will start to get the feel for when a break is on and transition to attack more quickly. At the moment some players take off but then others are still a second or 2 slower.

My point was that none of us cares enough to hate them or to take any interest in them at all. Completely off the radar.

I understand from one of podcasts that the grass was cut extra long so to cause issues for us. Could explain some of the under hit passes. I think they are still trying to get to know each other as well.

I understand from one of podcasts that the grass was cut extra long so to cause issues for us. Could explain some of the under hit passes.

Do Burnley do that for other teams as well? After all, Arsenal are hardly the only Premiership side to have more talented players than them. Perhaps it’s no more than a podcast clickbait?

Apparently Burnley do it for most of the games involving bigger teams.

Long grass and don’t water the pitch. I read arsenal were training last week on pitches that hadn’t been cut as much to prepare.

Look at the period of play when Pépé should have played in Aubameyang on the edge of the box. Normally he would play that pass 9 times out of 10 but it was under hit because of the pitch.

With much fewer games this year and our inability to sell Nketiah I wonder whether it is now a mistake to not get Balogun out on loan. He's too good for U23 football but has at least 3 players ahead of him for the starting striker role in the first team.

I saw a contrast with Tammy Abraham who whilst he is 3 years older than Balogun had 40 games in the championship at 19 with Bristol City, another 30 in the prem with swansea at 20 and another 40 in the championship with Villa at 21. Then he came back to Chelsea's first team with 120 odd games of men's football and the thick end of 60 goals.

Lacazette and Nketiah are on their way next summer, this would have been a great year for Balogun to spend in the championship or lower prem team playing every week.

Or otherwise just play Balogun instead of Nketiah. I suppose an argument could be made that Lacazette is more likely to win you a League Cup game than Balogun so he should be chosen ahead of him. But without wishing to appear overly negative about Eddie, I think Balogun is arguably just as likely to help us beat Wimbledon than Nketiah is. Perhaps even more so?

How many central strikers do we have ahead of Balogun in the pecking order? Aubameyang and Martinelli. Apart from them, considering how poor Balogun was at Brentford maybe Lacazette. But he’s leaving on a free transfer next summer so I’d say even he’s debatable.

Didn’t Darren state his belief that Saka would be sold next summer a while back? I have said if he doesn’t renew his contract, he’s unlikely to be with us for more than another two years. So this report may make uncomfortable reading.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/ ... dium=email

'www.football.london', whatever that is?

It'll only be uncomfortable if I click on it. For someone who only believes in arsenal.com for facts, why would you bother with 'www.football.london', whatever that is?

Good point. I just suspect Darren might be right, albeit a year out.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fUnRUAKIyaM&feature=youtu.be

Good interview with Per Mertesacker here.

I have to eat a lot of humble pie re Ramsdale.
i know still early days but i was one of many who didn't want him anywhere near Arsenal as he was crap.....
His first few performances have been excellent. Very comfortable with the ball at this feet and love the way he comes for the ball and claims it.
Also seems to have a great personality and authority about him compared to Leno.
Hope he continues making me eat humble pie.
I hope the rumours of Leno getting the spurs game are just that!
Arteta would be an absolute idiot to take out Ramsdale who is riding high on confidence but who would actually be surprised if he did bring Leno back in.

You might be right! Although I hope not.

So let’s gets this right ..

Arteta was an idiot for signing him
If he plays badly it’s Artetas fault
However he’s playing well right now so if Arteta rests him even if it’s for logical reasons then Arteta is a complete idiot for doing so.
If he has a drop in form the moment he does Arteta will get blamed though.

Great stuff, terrific. See how easy it is ?

So let’s gets this right ..

Arteta was an idiot for signing him
If he plays badly it’s Artetas fault
However he’s playing well right now so if Arteta rests him even if it’s for logical reasons then Arteta is a complete idiot for doing so.
If he has a drop in form the moment he does Arteta will get blamed though.

Great stuff, terrific. See how easy it is ?

Really don't care who's in goal Sunday. Just do the job they're hired to do Sunday. Like not letting Spurs win is a start.

For me Ramsdale has grabbed his chance with both hands. Leno should have to wait for an opportunity to get back in. Ramsdale deserves to stay in the team.

I have to eat a lot of humble pie re Ramsdale.
i know still early days but i was one of many who didn't want him anywhere near Arsenal as he was crap.....
His first few performances have been excellent. Very comfortable with the ball at this feet and love the way he comes for the ball and claims it.
Also seems to have a great personality and authority about him compared to Leno.
Hope he continues making me eat humble pie.
I hope the rumours of Leno getting the spurs game are just that!
Arteta would be an absolute idiot to take out Ramsdale who is riding high on confidence but who would actually be surprised if he did bring Leno back in.
Surely Balogun didnt sign a new contract to be put back in with the Under 23s??
He hasnt even made the bench the last few league games. Seems he is in direct competition with Martinelli for a place on the bench. I hope he is one of these kids who will be humble and bide his time. Unfortunately no european football to give these kids some game time which is why the Europa league conference was a big miss.
Also please no Xhaka on sunday.
What sort of message does that send to Lokonga and AMN if he comes straight back in.
Make him wait and stick with the winning teams of last 2 games.

Like i said i'm happy to eat humble pie re Ramsdale.
Clearly Arteta can do no wrong in your eyes.
Cant think of many who would legislate dropping a keeper high on confidence and on form last couple of games to bring back someone who is out of form.
But hey whatever suits your narrative.

Like i said i'm happy to eat humble pie re Ramsdale.
Clearly Arteta can do no wrong in your eyes.
Cant think of many who would legislate dropping a keeper high on confidence and on form last couple of games to bring back someone who is out of form.
But hey whatever suits your narrative.