Arsenal - 2024/25

Another frustrating game. 9 points behind Liverpool seems like we've been having a shocker. Trying to analyse what's went wrong in comparison to last season. It's strange, in terms of equivalent results last season for away games, we have actually accrued the same number of points (The +3 for Villa wiped out by the -3 at Bournemouth). The other results are the same (win vs Spurs, draw at City, defeat at Newcastle and draw at Chelsea).

The home games we're 2 down vs Brighton, and 2 down vs Liverpool, that for me is probably more disappointing than the away results.

9 points is a huge gap now, with a gap like that can't even think of the title. The international break probably come at a decent time. It's time to dust ourselves down, try and get and keep players fit, try and win a few games in a row again and just see where that takes us.
 
A point at an in form Chelsea isn't terrible by any means but today did feel like they needed a big performance considering they now had their strongest lineup. Didn't happen.

I think Arteta has done some really excellent work for a couple of years but the criticism about not winning things rings a bit louder when the underlying performances drop off like this.
I’ve said it before but winning the Carabao or FA Cup would do wonders for Arteta.

When we missed out in 2019 and 2022 we won the CL and then a domestic cup double, reducing the sting and pressure on the manager.

Arteta could do with that this season.
 
A point at an in form Chelsea isn't terrible by any means but today did feel like they needed a big performance considering they now had their strongest lineup. Didn't happen.

I think Arteta has done some really excellent work for a couple of years but the criticism about not winning things rings a bit louder when the underlying performances drop off like this.
I wouldn’t call Chelsea “in form” they were awful against us and it was a fairly poor quality game today as well (like it was us vs Chelsea )
 
I wouldn’t call Chelsea “in form” they were awful against us and it was a fairly poor quality game today as well (like it was us vs Chelsea )
Agree. We came into the game the game with just one win in our last four league games, albeit against relatively tough opposition (NFO, liv, NEW, Man Utd), so weren't exactly in blistering form. Not sure if we can come to any definite conclusions yet but to me it looks like Arsenal have an overreliance on Ödegaard and Saka's minutes finally taking its toll.
 
Agree. We came into the game the game with just one win in our last four league games, albeit against relatively tough opposition (NFO, liv, NEW, Man Utd), so weren't exactly in blistering form. Not sure if we can come to any definite conclusions yet but to me it looks like Arsenal have an overreliance on Ödegaard and Saka's minutes finally taking its toll.
Your team isn't as bad as the results have been last year. Tons of talent there. We definitely need more backup for Saka and Odegaard.

For us, if we don't win the title or CL this season, Arteta has to go. City are dire so far yet we have dropped pointless points and still sit 4 behind them. There would never be a chance as good as this. The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).
 
Time wasting because Havertz was getting treatment was one of the most embarrassing things I've ever seen a top team do. Why must they strive to be more dislikable than Liverpool or City, for no reason other than how annoying they are?
 
Your team isn't as bad as the results have been last year. Tons of talent there. We definitely need more backup for Saka and Odegaard.

For us, if we don't win the title or CL this season, Arteta has to go. City are dire so far yet we have dropped pointless points and still sit 4 behind them. There would never be a chance as good as this. The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).
Think that's harsh. As long as they are up there at the end of the season I think it would be foolish to get rid as I don't really think there's a clear cut alternative to replace him.

However it would probably do you good if you somehow can shift the team to a slightly more attacking balance. White isn't bad on the overlap, but I would describe him as neutral attacking wise, and to my understanding Timber mainly played CB previously even though he's also alright going forward (would describe Calafiori similarly unless I'm terribly off). This together with two defensively-minded CM's makes the team a bit hamstrung when it comes to going forward compared to what they could be in my opinion. Will be interesting to see if he decides to make any changes on that front going forward.
 
Nothing strange. I have pointed out before. When attacking line don’t work (high pressning) everything falls apart because quality is not there behind them except Odegaard.

Not playing Jorginho should result in sacking. Only real leader with Odegaard.
 
Think that's harsh. As long as they are up there at the end of the season I think it would be foolish to get rid as I don't really think there's a clear cut alternative to replace him.

However it would probably do you good if you somehow can shift the team to a slightly more attacking balance. White isn't bad on the overlap, but I would describe him as neutral attacking wise, and to my understanding Timber mainly played CB previously even though he's also alright going forward (would describe Calafiori similarly unless I'm terribly off). This together with two defensively-minded CM's makes the team a bit hamstrung when it comes to going forward compared to what they could be in my opinion. Will be interesting to see if he decides to make any changes on that front going forward.
They would be very foolish to let Arteta go after all the work he’s done up until this point. A PL or CL shouldn’t be the determining factor but to give himself some breathing space, a domestic trophy wouldn’t go amiss. Hypothetically, if they were to sack Arteta, I can’t see whoever succeeds him actually building on his work - there just doesn’t seem to be anyone available who would be an upgrade.

In terms of the team’s composition, it would be great to see Merino start ahead of Partey. Don’t think there’s actually a chasm between Partey and Rice like some would have you believe but they’re not benching a £105m (English as well) player. Even Nwaneri in there could be interesting. Agree that the balance is too defensive which is reflective of Arteta’s managerial style. They can’t live off of set piece goals if they want to win the league.

I think a midfield tweak would suffice. They’ve had a lot of joy with White on the overlap of Saka so it’s not like he’s a liability going forward - even if he’s not on the level, of say, an Alexander-Arnold.
 
Arteta said in his post match press conference that Arsenal dominated the game and should have won.
Delusional
 
Your team isn't as bad as the results have been last year. Tons of talent there. We definitely need more backup for Saka and Odegaard.

For us, if we don't win the title or CL this season, Arteta has to go. City are dire so far yet we have dropped pointless points and still sit 4 behind them. There would never be a chance as good as this. The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).
Arsenals central midfield isn't good enough.
 
Your team isn't as bad as the results have been last year. Tons of talent there. We definitely need more backup for Saka and Odegaard.

For us, if we don't win the title or CL this season, Arteta has to go. City are dire so far yet we have dropped pointless points and still sit 4 behind them. There would never be a chance as good as this. The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).
What a load of nonsense :rolleyes: You deserve 10 more years of shit football getting turned over 6-0 against every big club for this idiotic take.
Arteta can end the season trophyless, third in the PL and not a thing will happen (rightly so).
 
Really? Rice, Partey, and Odegaard? That is a good enough trio, surely?
Add Merino and Jorginho as well and that’s pretty decent.
For whatever reason it’s just not clicking at the moment.
I get odegaard has been out but if your midfield falls to pieces if one guy is injured It’s not a working midfield.
If I had to guess I’d say it’s a blip albeit quite a long one and it’ll come good over the coming games.
I’ve thought for a while that arsenal would be more complete with a proper no 9. Even someone like Watkins would provide a focal point that Havertz/jesus doesn’t.
 
Odegaard instantly makes them better but they still looked weirdly flat at times today. They're missing the energy and bite they had for the last two seasons.
 
Odegaard instantly makes them better but they still looked weirdly flat at times today. They're missing the energy and bite they had for the last two seasons.
To me it looks like they have decided that they just can't get beat against the big teams. They used to try and win every game, not now.
 
I’m weirdly looking forward to our game on December 4. Most likely we’ll lose, but stranger things have happened, especially with us still likely having new manager bounce and Arsenal hitting a bit of a rough patch. Would be so good for morale if Amorim can pass his first real test with a statement.
 
Their football is really boring but it’s effective.

They had all 11 in their own half defending deep when we had the ball and then counter quickly when they win it.
 
They looked a bit better but think the title is gone for them. They have to take advantage of the moments when City slip up and they haven't. Yeah, they've had tough games and City have slipped up against worse teams but you still have to make it count.
 
Their football is really boring but it’s effective.

They had all 11 in their own half defending deep when we had the ball and then counter quickly when they win it.

Its effective but when you are going for the title, you need more than just counter attack and relying on Odegard.

This is when your star players need to shine.. Saka, Martinelli and your marquee signings like Rice need to stand up.

They didn't and it was clear that they lack goals.
 
Its effective but when you are going for the title, you need more than just counter attack and relying on Odegard.

This is when your star players need to shine.. Saka, Martinelli and your marquee signings like Rice need to stand up.

They didn't and it was clear that they lack goals.

He was double marked pretty much the entire game to be fair to him, and sometimes triple marked. Neto was great at running back and helping Cucurella against him. Martinelli and Havertz needed to have more of an impact when Saka drew so much attention.
 
Your team isn't as bad as the results have been last year. Tons of talent there. We definitely need more backup for Saka and Odegaard.

For us, if we don't win the title or CL this season, Arteta has to go. City are dire so far yet we have dropped pointless points and still sit 4 behind them. There would never be a chance as good as this. The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).
Why would he have to go? What are you trying to prove here?

What advantage would Arsenal gain sacking Arteta? Its such a relic form of thinking.

I swear Arsenal fans have short memories and forget the shit show he inherited.
 
Maybe Arteta has taken them as far as he can.
Well if we sack him, he would get the Man City job when Pep leaves next year, or the year after. Ao Arteta would be alright

Who would we get? De Zerbi or Frank?

Only stupid Arsenal fans want him sacked.
 
Well if we sack him, he would get the Man City job when Pep leaves next year, or the year after. Ao Arteta would be alright

Who would we get? De Zerbi or Frank?

Only stupid Arsenal fans want him sacked.

Ten Hag
 
Well if we sack him, he would get the Man City job when Pep leaves next year, or the year after. Ao Arteta would be alright

Who would we get? De Zerbi or Frank?

Only stupid Arsenal fans want him sacked.

Surely City replace Pep with a proven winner no?
 
It's incredible to see how much both Arsenal and City have dropped off with just a couple of injuries. Both managers are bemoaning it and yet we got very little sympathy for basically barely having a full XI to put together for most games last year.
 
The one positive silver lining is we have played every single top team away from home except Liverpool (in the Top4/5/6).

I'm surprised more people aren't pointing this out.

To play Villa, Spurs, City, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Chelsea away in your opening eleven games is almost as tough as it comes!

With Odegaard back I can see you putting a long winning streak together now and both City and Liverpool have some tricky games coming up including playing each other.

I can see Arsenal being top at Christmas or within a few points of Liverpool and I still think you'll end up winning the title fairly comfortably.
 
First of all the good...Odegaard back makes a big difference. He will make things tick a lot better. We sorely missed his influence both in press and creativity. We have an easier batch of games coming up, and we need to go on a huge run because we have fallen way behind.

We need to snap out of this mentality to see off games with minimal attacking intent. We can attack and control games, going into this sit back defend and quite frankly wasting time mode is ugly and not even working for us.

Need to pick up the opposition's key attacking players on the day better. We tend to focus on one or two and let the second or third one off the hook. This isn't uncommon but it seems kinda striking lately. Great job on Palmer yesterday....pretty poor against Neto who looked in good form yesterday. The defending on the Chelsea goal was terrible.
 
How good would it be if we can kill their title hopes in Amorim's 3rd game.

It would be a good test for Amorim to go to a big 6 so early on in his tenure to see how far he has to go in the team's development.

Hoping for a new manager bounce to finish their title hopes off.
 
Not sure why the vitriol attacks on me for suggesting Arteta should be questioned if he can't win anything despite how awful City are this season.

Totally agree we have had the hardest fixtures but then we are dropping points at home. That's all on him. He could have bedded Nwaneri all this time but instead we saw a team with absolutely no creativity. Didn't even play Jorginho. That's all on him.

And yes I remember the bad times. I'm a match going fan for decades. Maybe me saying sacking him is harsh I agree but questions should be asked why he wasted an entire 2 months playing Havertz and Trossard in midfield when we could have played Nwaneri or Jorginho. We dropped points anyway

You can't be a serious team and be one Odegaard injury away from being dire.
 
Not sure why the vitriol attacks on me for suggesting Arteta should be questioned if he can't win anything despite how awful City are this season.

Totally agree we have had the hardest fixtures but then we are dropping points at home. That's all on him. He could have bedded Nwaneri all this time but instead we saw a team with absolutely no creativity. Didn't even play Jorginho. That's all on him.

And yes I remember the bad times. I'm a match going fan for decades. Maybe me saying sacking him is harsh I agree but questions should be asked why he wasted an entire 2 months playing Havertz and Trossard in midfield when we could have played Nwaneri or Jorginho. We dropped points anyway

You can't be a serious team and be one Odegaard injury away from being dire.

Exactly this. Its quite interesting that with Odegard's injury, he went lets not lose over how do we overcome Odegard?

They instead went on with set piece reliance and sit deep and keep opposition out.
 
Not sure why the vitriol attacks on me for suggesting Arteta should be questioned if he can't win anything despite how awful City are this season.

Totally agree we have had the hardest fixtures but then we are dropping points at home. That's all on him. He could have bedded Nwaneri all this time but instead we saw a team with absolutely no creativity. Didn't even play Jorginho. That's all on him.

And yes I remember the bad times. I'm a match going fan for decades. Maybe me saying sacking him is harsh I agree but questions should be asked why he wasted an entire 2 months playing Havertz and Trossard in midfield when we could have played Nwaneri or Jorginho. We dropped points anyway

You can't be a serious team and be one Odegaard injury away from being dire.

I wouldn't worry, looking from the outside I do think it's very possible and definitely fair to question whether Arteta has done an excellent job but might not be the man to try and take you to the next step.

Could absolutely end up being a disaster but that is for the higher ups at your club to consider and nothing wrong with a fan questioning it.
 
How good would it be if we can kill their title hopes in Amorim's 3rd game.

It would be a good test for Amorim to go to a big 6 so early on in his tenure to see how far he has to go in the team's development.

Hoping for a new manager bounce to finish their title hopes off.
I'd honestly not even mind that just to see the meltdown on here when Liverpool win the league
 
Why would he have to go? What are you trying to prove here?

What advantage would Arsenal gain sacking Arteta? Its such a relic form of thinking.
If Arsenal are stuck in perpetual also-ran status under Arteta then it's worth taking a gamble on getting to the top. No one can say he hasn't been given time. This would be his fifth full season at the club. Only one of his four seasons wasn't ultimately underwhelming (23/24). This one's getting there.

It's not a 'relic' form of thinking, the obsession with having long-term managers is what's antiquated and largely abandoned outside of England.
 
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Arteta is a good manager maybe even a great one but I don't think he's the one to take them to glory.

If we use the Wenger timeline with 98-2004 being peak Wenger and 2010-18 being bottom level Wenger, Arteta is equal to 05-10 era.

I think Arsenal could do well to be a bit savage and go for a top level manager, who that is, I don't know. However, the club is in a much better place and has a good group of players, if they can get that manager who is a serial winner I think they'd break through their current ceiling.
 
He's a modern day houllier, with more shithouse tactics.