Mikel Arteta | Lego Pep watch

[yumtum]

If anything I'm being a bit more measured than what some of my mates have said - one told me that he genuinely thinks it might be the best sale Benfica have ever made and this is the club that got €110m+ or whatever for Joao Felix!

Whenever you're having a bad day, just think of Arsenal - it's what's got me through the last 7 years.

 

[Ramshock]

He is genuinely atrocious. Best thing going for him is he's a good athlete, though this is offset by him pretty much clueless on and off the ball and one of the worst defenders I've ever seen play. All the Benfiqistas I know are laughing their way to the bank here - they can't believe they got €8m for him.

Meh was gonna laugh at this until I saw that you are a Chewsea supporter. Not exactly unbiased are you?

 

[Ramshock]

Martinez is way more dominant but the most important part is that he gives his defense confidence to play their game. However, with Leno, he may have the similar shot stopping ability and distribution but that's all.

When Arsenal played with Martinez it was like Arsenal had a brick of a defense. Now it's just jelly.

When was this?

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Meh was gonna laugh at this until I saw that you are a Chewsea supporter. Not exactly unbiased are you?

I live in Portugal and am married to a Benfica supporter mate - guarantee I've watched him quite a bit more than most in here!

 

[Ramshock]

Given how average the league has been these last couple of seasons. We would easily of finished top three with better management.

But to be honest we deserve this current predicament at Arsenal. When supporters decide to hastily hound out a top coach like Wenger without any contingency; there will inevitably be consequences.

 

[Ramshock]

I live in Portugal and am married to a Benfica supporter mate - guarantee I've watched him quite a bit more than most in here!

Then fair enough. Is he really that bad?

 

[AllGoodNamesRGone]

Is he worse than Mustafi?

 

[Abraxas]

Has Arteta actually been that bad? It's an eighth placed squad. Maybe they could get a place or two higher during a better year, but fundamentally it's not a massive surprise. They seem to be shopping at Poundland since Pepe, which was a gigantic misuse of funds.

Every time I see the squad I am staggered at how far they've fallen in terms of quality and unless there is a massive injection of funds to revamp all areas it's going to be difficult for a manager because the expectations that come from outsiders to the club are based on aged notions of what Arsenal should be and not what they are.

I am not going to claim in depth knowledge of decisions made by Arteta or even argue that he's on the right path, but the squad is ridiculously poor which has to be some mitigation.

 

[BlahRules]

When was this?

It never happened, move on.

 

[BlahRules]

I keep seeing this, but we did have the 3rd best defensive record in the league last season, so think jelly might be a bit of hyperbole.

I just think there's bigger problems at Arsenal than what a slight upgrade at goalkeeper would be. Do you think it would have been the difference between 8th & 6th or 5th for instance?

I do think Martinez would have helped. A player that gives confidence to its defense is a valuable asset.

You are right goal keeper is the least of your worry.

 

[Ramshock]

It never happened, move on.

 

[Iker Quesadillas]

Has Arteta actually been that bad? It's an eighth placed squad. Maybe they could get a place or two higher during a better year, but fundamentally it's not a massive surprise.

They finished 5th with Emery. They've only finished 8th under Arteta. Maybe he's just not very good.

 

[anant]

Has Arteta actually been that bad? It's an eighth placed squad. Maybe they could get a place or two higher during a better year, but fundamentally it's not a massive surprise. They seem to be shopping at Poundland since Pepe, which was a gigantic misuse of funds.

Every time I see the squad I am staggered at how far they've fallen in terms of quality and unless there is a massive injection of funds to revamp all areas it's going to be difficult for a manager because the expectations that come from outsiders to the club are based on aged notions of what Arsenal should be and not what they are.

I am not going to claim in depth knowledge of decisions made by Arteta or even argue that he's on the right path, but the squad is ridiculously poor which has to be some mitigation.

I think Arsenal supporters can talk more, but from the outside it does seem that he has no idea how he wants to get the side back into title race. At the start of the season, most would have put them 6th or 7th, depending on how you rate Leicester. However, the transfers are pretty "random".

For example, surely you need to realize that Willian is not the answer to whatever he's trying to build. Then, its around loaning in kids. Arsenal have nothing to gain by short term deals for kids. That's common sense.

Whenever a team has been in such a position, they've gotten it right by going back to basics. He's been given all the backing by the fans and the board, but he's just making poor decisions one after the other

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Then fair enough. Is he really that bad?

Yeah he is really appalling. He looks good on paper as he's pretty rapid and has all the physical tools you'd need to succeed, but he's genuinely clueless. He's comfortably worse than Kolasinac for me, though Tavares is at least still young and maybe getting out of his comfort zone will benefit him.

In terms of recent signings from Benfica though, Gedson who flopped at Spurs was miles ahead of Tavares (granted they played different positions). It's really a bizarre signing and all the word here in Portugal is that it's a total coup for Benfica.

Is he worse than Mustafi?

He has shown less than Mustafi in a worse league, by some distance. Mustafi was pretty decent at Valencia prior to Arsenal signing him.

 

[GoonerBear]

I do think Martinez would have helped. A player that gives confidence to its defense is a valuable asset.

You are right goal keeper is the least of your worry.

You need to bear in mind as well, he played about 8 league games at the end of the season, & a few rounds of the FA Cup. Its a big ask to bend over to demands of being undisputed number 1 and to dump your current number 1 for what is essentially was good form over a dozen or so games.

 

[Abraxas]

I think Arsenal supporters can talk more, but from the outside it does seem that he has no idea how he wants to get the side back into title race. At the start of the season, most would have put them 6th or 7th, depending on how you rate Leicester. However, the transfers are pretty "random".

For example, surely you need to realize that Willian is not the answer to whatever he's trying to build. Then, its around loaning in kids. Arsenal have nothing to gain by short term deals for kids. That's common sense.

Whenever a team has been in such a position, they've gotten it right by going back to basics. He's been given all the backing by the fans and the board, but he's just making poor decisions one after the other

I agree Willian has been a poor signing, I'm guessing he was meant to guide a few of the younger players and obviously perform a lot better. It's not particularly ridiculous logic, as always it's the fact it hasn't worked that calls everything into question.

I think if you combine it with the loan signings it's more a case of beggars can't be choosers than a genuine transfer plan for getting back to the top. If the funds are simply not there then generally this is the market you will be operating in, I don't think Arteta has formulated a plan to win titles with loan signings from Real Madrid - he is clearly operating within parameters.

You say he's had backing but it looks a fairly paltry net spend if it is supposed to encompass the idea of becoming competitive at the top end, it's poor all over the pitch. We just spent 75 mill on a player to fix one position and we're a decent side! With Arsenal there is mediocrity everywhere. Good players cost unless you can pluck out genuine diamonds for low sums but if that was so easy everybody would do it.

 

[anant]

I agree Willian has been a poor signing, I'm guessing he was meant to guide a few of the younger players and obviously perform a lot better. It's not particularly ridiculous logic, as always it's the fact it hasn't worked that calls everything into question.

I think if you combine it with the loan signings it's more a case of beggars can't be choosers than a genuine transfer plan for getting back to the top. If the funds are simply not there then generally this is the market you will be operating in, I don't think Arteta has formulated a plan to win titles with loan signings from Real Madrid - he is clearly operating within parameters.

You say he's had backing but it looks a fairly paltry net spend if it is supposed to encompass the idea of becoming competitive at the top end, it's poor all over the pitch. We just spent 75 mill on a player to fix one position and we're a decent side! With Arsenal there is mediocrity everywhere. Good players cost unless you can pluck out genuine diamonds for low sums but if that was so easy everybody would do it.

By backing, I meant more around the time he's been afforded despite pretty poor results.

And it's not about bad decision in hindsight. Signing a 32-33 year old when you're clearly in transition and need to think of next 3 years is more important IMO (Willian as a backup would have been a good signing btw).

And lastly, around loan signings- it's a lose lose scenario for them. Either he does well, in which case the parent club decide to keep him. Else, he flops in this season

 

[Abraxas]

By backing, I meant more around the time he's been afforded despite pretty poor results.

And it's not about bad decision in hindsight. Signing a 32-33 year old when you're clearly in transition and need to think of next 3 years is more important IMO (Willian as a backup would have been a good signing btw).

And lastly, around loan signings- it's a lose lose scenario for them. Either he does well, in which case the parent club decide to keep him. Else, he flops in this season

It's not a lose lose situation if the board say to a manager you have no money but loans are an option. If you think those players are going to be useful or better than what you have it is nothing but pride that stops you doing that. First you have to get results in the short term of course. It is probably not his preferred method.

 

[GoonerBear]

Is he worse than Mustafi?

He's a punt at £6M to be a back up left back, I wouldn't get overly concerned about it. When you buy players at that age / cost, it's obviously a massive gamble, & the guy is going to be raw. Nuno Gomes is the obvious left back talent in Portugal, but you don't spend what it would take to get him in when you have glaring holes elsewhere in your squad and you already have Tierney.

I think Arsenal supporters can talk more, but from the outside it does seem that he has no idea how he wants to get the side back into title race. At the start of the season, most would have put them 6th or 7th, depending on how you rate Leicester. However, the transfers are pretty "random".

For example, surely you need to realize that Willian is not the answer to whatever he's trying to build. Then, its around loaning in kids. Arsenal have nothing to gain by short term deals for kids. That's common sense.

Whenever a team has been in such a position, they've gotten it right by going back to basics. He's been given all the backing by the fans and the board, but he's just making poor decisions one after the other

I think you will see more what he wants to do this summer in terms of building a young team more in his image. He seems to be targeting guys in the 22-25 age range to go straight in the team, but ideally be premier league ready to go, plus a couple of younger hopefuls for squad depth & to try & develop.

He obviously wants a ball playing defender to help build out from the back, & has obviously targeted Ben White as the best option for this. Like most signings from within the league we'll get rinsed for this.

In midfield we need a Xhaka replacement to be a Partey partner, & it seems our ideal first choice might be Locatelli, with the likes of Neves as a back up option.

We also need another attacking midfielder, with Maddison first choice, but will prove difficult to do. Think guys like Aouar will be back up choices.

Guys like Navares & Lokonga are punts for the future, raw, but it's no coincidence both are powerful, athletic players to add some pace & power to the squad.

Its not about building a title competing team at this stage. We are way too far away for that, everyone can see that. We need to think in stages, get more consistent, establish ourselves back in the top 6, try & challenge that top 4, get the foundations right, almost like what Liverpool did.

 

[Samid]

Beaten by the mighty Hibernian.

 

[JJ12]

Beaten by the mighty Hibernian.

Strong squad too, I don’t understand how they’ve stuck by Arteta.

 

[AllGoodNamesRGone]

He's a punt at £6M to be a back up left back, I wouldn't get overly concerned about it. When you buy players at that age / cost, it's obviously a massive gamble, & the guy is going to be raw. Nuno Gomes is the obvious left back talent in Portugal, but you don't spend what it would take to get him in when you have glaring holes elsewhere in your squad and you already have Tierney.

Ah so he is a left back and not a cb? That makes sense. We need a back up as Tierney gets injured a lot and it looks like kolasinac will be leaving so a cheap back up is needed.
He may be good he may be awful but hopefully we won’t need to find out as hopefully Tierney can stay fit this season.

 

[Rajiztar]

He's a punt at £6M to be a back up left back, I wouldn't get overly concerned about it. When you buy players at that age / cost, it's obviously a massive gamble, & the guy is going to be raw. Nuno Gomes is the obvious left back talent in Portugal, but you don't spend what it would take to get him in when you have glaring holes elsewhere in your squad and you already have Tierney.



I think you will see more what he wants to do this summer in terms of building a young team more in his image. He seems to be targeting guys in the 22-25 age range to go straight in the team, but ideally be premier league ready to go, plus a couple of younger hopefuls for squad depth & to try & develop.

He obviously wants a ball playing defender to help build out from the back, & has obviously targeted Ben White as the best option for this. Like most signings from within the league we'll get rinsed for this.

In midfield we need a Xhaka replacement to be a Partey partner, & it seems our ideal first choice might be Locatelli, with the likes of Neves as a back up option.

We also need another attacking midfielder, with Maddison first choice, but will prove difficult to do. Think guys like Aouar will be back up choices.

Guys like Navares & Lokonga are punts for the future, raw, but it's no coincidence both are powerful, athletic players to add some pace & power to the squad.

Its not about building a title competing team at this stage. We are way too far away for that, everyone can see that. We need to think in stages, get more consistent, establish ourselves back in the top 6, try & challenge that top 4, get the foundations right, almost like what Liverpool did.

I am serious about your chance of finishing top 4. No europe will be bless for arsenal and Arteta coming season. Full week to prepare matches and young players to get rest every week and adjustment in tactical balances can be achieved with preparation time.

I am not saying you will be top 4 but you can win most games against midtable teams and lower table teams. I won't be surprised if you finished top 4 coming season. Arteta have no excuses if not able to win those matches though.

 

[horsechoker]

As funny as it is you can't put too much weight on the first pre-season game. United have lost to some dire teams in friendlies.

That said, I don't see them making top 6 at all.

 

[Ali Dia]

Let the fun begin

 

[charlenefan]

As funny as it is you can't put too much weight on the first pre-season game. United have lost to some dire teams in friendlies.

That said, I don't see them making top 6 at all.

I mean if surely if you can't do it 3 seasons in a row then they can't claim to be a top 8 side can they

 

[GoonerBear]

Beaten by the mighty Hibernian.

I mean, its a pre season friendly so it means the square root of feck all, but if you really want a chuckle, watch this goal.

 

[GoonerBear]

I am serious about your chance of finishing top 4. No europe will be bless for arsenal and Arteta coming season. Full week to prepare matches and young players to get rest every week and adjustment in tactical balances can be achieved with preparation time.

I am not saying you will be top 4 but you can win most games against midtable teams and lower table teams. I won't be surprised if you finished top 4 coming season. Arteta have no excuses if not able to win those matches though.

I think if he gets the players we are targeting I think we'll be in a decent place in terms of team / squad building wise. I agree, having no Europe & a lot off free midweeks should be an advantage to us in the league.

I just can't see us finishing top 4 given the standard of the current top 4, but I do want to see more consistency in results & performance this season. The pressure is already on Arteta, I think Arteta Out is trending already which is ridiculous, but shows there will be no hiding place for him this season.

 

[awop]

I mean, its a pre season friendly so it means the square root of feck all, but if you really want a chuckle, watch this goal.

Okonkwo: “Just the other week I couldn't even imagine being promoted to the first team so this is a big push for me, a new challenge for me. So I am very excited to start. "
Only 19 though but he was not very reassuring flopping a cross in the first half before that goal.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

I was at the game tonight as my mate is a season ticket holder at Hibs. Won’t give a match report but will try to sum it up as briefly as possible as I can.

Arsenal had a ton of possession as you expected but very rarely did they put the Hibs back line under pressure. A lot of sideway, backward passes and not enough forward in behind passes. The majority of their chances came through sloppy mistakes. Eddie Nketiah missing an absolute 1v1 sitter after Paul Hanlon was caught dwelling on the ball. Even I could have at least worked the keeper with which really says something about that sitter The penalty they got in the 2nd half was as soft as you’d ever see and justice was done when young teenager Kevin Dabrowski (who was making his 1st Hibs senior appearance) denied Pepe from the spot with a superb low save to his left. Chants of “what a waste of money” being aired at Pepe by the Hibs fans after that were absolutely brilliant . Even our own manager Jack Ross turned around and gave a small, sly smile to the crowd. In fact some of the chants aired at some of the Arsenal players tonight were brilliant particularly my favourite one of the night which did air a chuckle across the 2,000 crowd at Easter Road being aimed at Aubameyang - “You’re just a shit Kevin Nisbet”, when he had a chance to open the scoring in the 1st half but denied by a great block by either Ryan Porteous or Paul McGinn.

Delighted for my local team Hibs. Stood strong, didn’t shirk away from the challenges despite it being a friendly and really gave a very good account of themselves as we get set for our first competitive game of the season in the Europa Conference League next Thursday.

Arsenal, albeit their 1st pre-season fixture just looked like the Arsenal team I was watching last season. Unimpressive and a manger that looks more suited to the “P.E. teacher” label that has been brandished at Ole.

MOTM for me was Hibs’ Lewis Stevenson. 1st half didn’t give Willian a sniff and then Pepe got the same treatment. Terrific performance by the wee Hibs legend The stand-out player for Arsenal for me was definitely Emile Smith-Rowe. Scored a good goal and made a positive impact from the bench when he replaced the lacklustre Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Just a pity the teammates around him - the likes of Pepe, Partey, Laccazette all looked very underwhelming.

 

[Dancfc]

I am serious about your chance of finishing top 4. No europe will be bless for arsenal and Arteta coming season. Full week to prepare matches and young players to get rest every week and adjustment in tactical balances can be achieved with preparation time.

I am not saying you will be top 4 but you can win most games against midtable teams and lower table teams. I won't be surprised if you finished top 4 coming season. Arteta have no excuses if not able to win those matches though.

The no Europe being an advantage narrative is a myth. It's worked once and that was an alreast great team out of Europe for fluke reasons.

 

[GoonerBear]

The no Europe being an advantage narrative is a myth. It's worked once and that was an alreast great team out of Europe for fluke reasons.

It's more the hope that guys who were a bit suspect fitness wise last season like Tierney, Partey & Smith-Rowe will be more available for the league games with less burden on them now.

 

[FrankDrebin]

No European football would be an advantage had they had a good team and coach.

 

[Flytan]

No European football would be an advantage had they had a good team and coach.

Yeah when Liverpool was first improving no football was great for them since they had a good starting 11 but not much depth.

Arsenals starting 11 is mediocre to poor and their depth is irrelevant.

Arteta sucks but so does their squad.

 

[Charlie Foley]

Proper fifa signing, I used to sign him when playing with shit teams

Yeah, he’s a project of mine I like to develop on FM

 

[FootballHQ]

Has Arteta actually been that bad? It's an eighth placed squad. Maybe they could get a place or two higher during a better year, but fundamentally it's not a massive surprise. They seem to be shopping at Poundland since Pepe, which was a gigantic misuse of funds.

Every time I see the squad I am staggered at how far they've fallen in terms of quality and unless there is a massive injection of funds to revamp all areas it's going to be difficult for a manager because the expectations that come from outsiders to the club are based on aged notions of what Arsenal should be and not what they are.

I am not going to claim in depth knowledge of decisions made by Arteta or even argue that he's on the right path, but the squad is ridiculously poor which has to be some mitigation.

Emery finished 5th and made europa final and that was seen as big underachievement in 18/19.

Only thing going for Arsenal is I do think they have a decent collection of young players now to attempt to build round. Core of Saka, Tierney, Smith Rowe (although we keep bidding for him so must be something up in the contract negotations), Martinelli isn't that bad potentially although a couple of them miss chunks of season through injury and Saka might be impacted by his penalty miss. They have much bigger problem with how ineffective the senior players are. I see in tonight's friendly Willian, Auba and Kolasanic (who I thought had been sold) all started. Xhaka still hasn't gone and I thought Lacazette only had one year left so surely needs to be moved on for 15m or so rather than just leave on free transfer?

That's where it's a bit odd, players coming up to 30 on massive long term deals and many of them are key parts of the team still. They also need a big season from Thomas Partey who looked an excellent signing on paper but aside from odd game largely underwhelmed. Seems they're targeting an Anderlecht kid to replace Xhaka?

 

[GoonerBear]

Yeah when Liverpool was first improving no football was great for them since they had a good starting 11 but not much depth.

Arsenals starting 11 is mediocre to poor and their depth is irrelevant.

Arteta sucks but so does their squad.

Think it's difficult to judge the starting XI just now when it could have 3 or 4 changes to it by the end of the window.

Liverpool's starting XI at the time had guys like Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren staring with Milner at left back, & guys like Karius & Klavan playing big chunks of the season, so not sure how good it really was.

Emery finished 5th and made europa final and that was seen as big underachievement in 18/19.

Only thing going for Arsenal is I do think they have a decent collection of young players now to attempt to build round. Core of Saka, Tierney, Smith Rowe (although we keep bidding for him so must be something up in the contract negotations), Martinelli isn't that bad potentially although a couple of them miss chunks of season through injury and Saka might be impacted by his penalty miss. They have much bigger problem with how ineffective the senior players are. I see in tonight's friendly Willian, Auba and Kolasanic (who I thought had been sold) all started. Xhaka still hasn't gone and I thought Lacazette only had one year left so surely needs to be moved on for 15m or so rather than just leave on free transfer?

That's where it's a bit odd, players coming up to 30 on massive long term deals and many of them are key parts of the team still. They also need a big season from Thomas Partey who looked an excellent signing on paper but aside from odd game largely underwhelmed. Seems they're targeting an Anderlecht kid to replace Xhaka?

I wouldn't worry about the starting XI of a pre season friendly, all the players will get a run out whether they are likely to leave or not.

Smith-Rowe will be staying, the social media team have been teasing his new number all day, they'd be really stupid to sell him after doing that.

Lokonga the Belgian kid isn't a Xhaka replacement, he'll be a backup to Partey. Arsenal will sign a more established player as a Xhaka replacement, think its fair Locatelli won't come so perhaps Neves of Wolves. We'll still likely sign an attacking midfielder as well, Maddison still not being ruled out but that will be expensive & difficult to do, Aouar maybe more realistic.

 

[firstkuyttouch]

Roshi thanks for rhe brilliant writeup

 

[Tony247]

I was at the game tonight as my mate is a season ticket holder at Hibs. Won’t give a match report but will try to sum it up as briefly as possible as I can.

Arsenal had a ton of possession as you expected but very rarely did they put the Hibs back line under pressure. A lot of sideway, backward passes and not enough forward in behind passes. The majority of their chances came through sloppy mistakes. Eddie Nketiah missing an absolute 1v1 sitter after Paul Hamlin was caught dwelling on the ball. Even I could have at least worked the keeper with which really says something about that sitter The penalty they got in the 2nd half was as soft as you’d ever see and justice was done when young teenager Kevin Dabrowski (who was making his 1st Hibs senior appearance) denied Pepe from the spot with a superb low save to his left. Chants of “what a waste of money” being aired at Pepe by the Hibs fans after that were absolutely brilliant . Even our own manager Jack Ross turned around and gave a small, sly smile to the crowd. In fact some of the chants aired at some of the Arsenal players tonight were brilliant particularly my favourite one of the night which did air a chuckle across the 2,000 crowd at Easter Road being aimed at Aubameyang - “You’re just a shit Kevin Nisbet”, when he had a chance to open the scoring in the 1st half but denied by a great block by either Ryan Porteous or Paul McGinn.

Delighted for my local team Hibs. Stood strong, didn’t shirk away from the challenges despite it being friendly and really gave a very account of themselves as we get set for our first competitive game of the season in the Europa Conference League next Thursday.

Arsenal, albeit their 1st pre-season fixture just looked like the Arsenal team I was watching last season. Unimpressive and a manger that looks more suited to the “P.E. teacher” label that has been brandished at Ole.

MOTM for me was Hibs’ Lewis Stevenson. 1st half didn’t give Willian a sniff and then Pepe got the same treatment. Terrific performance by the wee Hibs legend The stand-out player for Arsenal for me was definitely Emile Smith-Rowe. Scored a good goal and made a positive impact from the bench when he replaced the lacklustre Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Just a pity the teammates around him - the likes of Pepe, Partey, Laccazette all looked very underwhelming.

Thanks a lot mate. Good write-up.

 

[Rajiztar]

The no Europe being an advantage narrative is a myth. It's worked once and that was an alreast great team out of Europe for fluke reasons.

Really. There is advantage of less travel players having real rest in between games. Most midtable teams against teams played in Europe have that advantage.

Leeds able to play their pressing game match after match with high energy came from that. It's not myth but of course arsenal need to use those advantage. Only city will be able to change whole 11 and yet produce results not even chelsea or man utd in my opinion.

City able to win league cups because of whole squad quality but all other teams always give up on that opportunity.The advantage is there for arsenal coming season to stack up points against mid lower table teams it's not myth. But can they take of those advantage is another thing though.