I look at their squad now and it’s just so lacking of any excitement outside of Saka and the occasional Odegaard pass. Have to be the most boring “top” team in that sense. 4 CB’s in front of Rice, JDP principles, Martinelli and Havertz as 2 of the 3 attackers. Set piece dominance and defensive solidity.
No question it “works” but feck me it’s a far cry from the Wenger days.
The spirit of George Graham is hard to shift.Yeah 6 months later this still tracks for me. Awful team to watch that Arteta's hatchet job squad building killed the excitement of, and now that his whipping boy Saka finally got a serious injury (seriously, the guy basically played every game for years with little issue which is impressive) they are completely lacking any cutting edge. Merino/Califiori/Sterling is a criminal window when pushing for a title.
Stick those 4 CB's in a row back there and cheer on set pieces though I guess Mikel.
For the record I'm not saying Arteta has done a poor job, he's been the man to bring them back from the depths of mediocrity for sure and has done very well. But I think his squad building has been quite poor and it's my understanding that he's had a pretty big influence in the past couple of years on it, so I do put that blame on him.The spirit of George Graham is hard to shift.
Edit - that’s a little harsh objectively arteta has performed way above expectations but it’s looking like he’s not the guy to get them over the line.
Agreed.The spirit of George Graham is hard to shift.
Edit - that’s a little harsh objectively arteta has performed way above expectations but it’s looking like he’s not the guy to get them over the line.
We're at the stage where we're just making stuff up now.They have our number lately, especially with those corners. But I just can’t see them winning anything with Arteta, Ten Hag won more than him ffs and Arteta’s FA cup he only had to play from the semi final stage in his first season.
Any other big club would’ve moved on from him by now
Winning the League Cup this year would have been huge for them.
No, but after years of not winning, any kind of silverware is welcome and can be used as a milestoneNo it wouldn't.
And that is the greatest credit to Arteta. That a League Cup would not in any serious corner be deemed as huge for this version of Arsenal. Nothing but the League or the CL will do. He's had some shortcomings in squad building (think a few new attackers will rectify) but their linear improvement year to year is clear.
Case in point; was the league cup or FA Cup huge enough for United to keep EtH?
They won the FA Cup a few years ago. It's not a Newcastle or Spurs situation where have not won something for yonks. A League Cup would be poor comfort for throwing away a chance to win the league on the rare occasion City feck up.No, but after years of not winning, any kind of silverware is welcome and can be used as a milestone
No, but after years of not winning, any kind of silverware is welcome and can be used as a milestone
With the way they are playing , they are not winning the leagueThey won the FA Cup a few years ago. It's not a Newcastle or Spurs situation where have not won something for yonks. A League Cup would be poor comfort for throwing away a chance to win the league on the rare occasion City feck up.
With the way they are playing , they are not winning the league
The sad part is this Liverpool side will drop more points but I doubt this arsenal side has it to catch them. Would be funny if City pips Liverpool and Arsenal and win the title.Yeah and that is the bigger problem. Liverpool are on aim impressive tear of form, but why is Arsenal not snapping at their heels? They have zero excuse with City's collapse; even before the Saka injury they were looking lost without Odegaard.
Impressive defensively but more is needed.
With the way they are playing , they are not winning the league
Ultimately when you fail to win anything at all, you’ll be judged for that, because the overall message is « im unable to win anything ».In a fair world yes, but as we have seen with EtH and Klopp, winning the smaller cups isn't credited when the larger prizes are not won.
I think with Arteta and the higher ups, their tenure won't be judged based on other than their ability to win the league. If they were within 3 points of Liverpool this cup exit (there's no second leg right?) would be deemed as a minor bump.
Just looked it up and realised he took over in the 5th round so my mistake there.We're at the stage where we're just making stuff up now.
Not surprising you forgot. It was a terrible year.Just looked it up and realised he took over in the 5th round so my mistake there.
Still, Ten Hag did better in 2 seasons with us though and my point remains that I can’t see you winning anything (else) with Arteta
Nope, you’re still just inventing stuff, mate.Just looked it up and realised he took over in the 5th round so my mistake there.
Still, Ten Hag did better in 2 seasons with us though and my point remains that I can’t see you winning anything (else) with Arteta
Don’t see what I’ve invented. Carabao Cup and FA cup in 2 seasons is better than 1 FA cup in 5 seasons imo. If you want to bring in league positions then fair enough if you put more stock in that than actual trophies but I’d personally rather win 2 domestic cups, one being over our local rival in the final who were widely regarded as the best team on the planet at that point.Nope, you’re still just inventing stuff, mate.
First you claimed that Arteta was only Manager for the Semi-Final and Final.Don’t see what I’ve invented. Carabao Cup and FA cup in 2 seasons is better than 1 FA cup in 5 seasons imo. If you want to bring in league positions then fair enough if you put more stock in that than actual trophies but I’d personally rather win 2 domestic cups, one being over our local rival in the final who were widely regarded as the best team on the planet at that point.
Not winning is even worse. Not saying if they win league cup or fa cup and not win the league and CL would mean they had an amazing season but at least it ends their mini trophy drought and Arteta can push on from that. Not winning creates more doubt. You don't want your legacy to be like Poch with Spurs.That's the point. How gutting to have a poor season just when City finally are no longer an obstacle. Winning just a League Cup or FA Cup would not be a successful season in that context. They have been aiming for the league in recent seasons.
I'll take real progression and 2/3 title challenges over a Carabao Cup or an Fa Cup in our position. This team can still go up a level or two and i'd rather we focused on that, stay in the CL for the next 10 years than yoyoing around the league, writing off seasons in November to get the odd cup.Don’t see what I’ve invented. Carabao Cup and FA cup in 2 seasons is better than 1 FA cup in 5 seasons imo. If you want to bring in league positions then fair enough if you put more stock in that than actual trophies but I’d personally rather win 2 domestic cups, one being over our local rival in the final who were widely regarded as the best team on the planet at that point.
Exactly this. The top teams need to be winning trophies.Not winning is even worse. Not saying if they win league cup or fa cup and not win the league and CL would mean they had an amazing season but at least it ends their mini trophy drought and Arteta can push on from that. Not winning creates more doubt. You don't want your legacy to be like Poch with Spurs.
