Mikel Arteta | Lego Pep watch

He’s obviously a very good coach but whether he’s a good manager remains to be seen. The assumption of talent due to proximity to great coaches is overplayed.

As @RooneyLegend says, it’ll be the signings that ultimately prove to be the making or undoing of him, just as they do with Pep to an extent. He won’t turn ropey footballers into world beaters. There are so many average players and, in my opinion, pretty suspect personalities in that squad that he’ll need to be given time and resources to get them out and bring in the right sorts of players.
 
How do you even go about fixing this squad with no budget.

Pepe for £70m is looking like an awful commitment of their limited funds. The 'senior players' in a squad are really poor as leaders, they barely have any players in their mid 20s and the rest are all 18-20.
 
Drainy said:
How do you even go about fixing this squad with no budget.

Pepe for £70m is looking like an awful commitment of their limited funds. The 'senior players' in a squad are really poor, they barely have any players in their mid 20s and the rest are all 18-20.
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For a team that is very careful before spending, you have to wonder how did it come to this. They've utilized the loan market [retty well, but despite that, they've spent around 160m net in the last 2 seasons! This doesn't include players like Ceballos and Mari, who are on loan. Add to that this also doesn't include players like Auba and Laca who were bought in Wenger's last season.

Under Wenger, apart from the last 6 months, they were a pretty competitive side - fighting for top 4 positions and apart from the last 2 seasons, they were successful in doing that as well.

I'm looking at that Arsenal side and honestly, I can't identify a good chunk of their players by their faces. Apart from Auba and Leno, none of them are good enough for any CL side. Add in a couple of other players who are good enough for EL football. And that's it. The entire back 4 is pretty poor for a side that is trying to get in top 6, barely good enough for top half finish. Guendouzi is inconsistent, Torreira isn't played for some reason, Xhaka is shite, Ceballos hasn't had the impact that was expected.
 
anant said:
For a team that is very careful before spending, you have to wonder how did it come to this. They've utilized the loan market [retty well, but despite that, they've spent around 160m net in the last 2 seasons! This doesn't include players like Ceballos and Mari, who are on loan. Add to that this also doesn't include players like Auba and Laca who were bought in Wenger's last season.

Under Wenger, apart from the last 6 months, they were a pretty competitive side - fighting for top 4 positions and apart from the last 2 seasons, they were successful in doing that as well.

I'm looking at that Arsenal side and honestly, I can't identify a good chunk of their players by their faces. Apart from Auba and Leno, none of them are good enough for any CL side. Add in a couple of other players who are good enough for EL football. And that's it. The entire back 4 is pretty poor for a side that is trying to get in top 6, barely good enough for top half finish. Guendouzi is inconsistent, Torreira isn't played for some reason, Xhaka is shite, Ceballos hasn't had the impact that was expected.
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yeah I mean they won't have much money with Covid-19 to fix it so difficult to see how they get out of this hole.

Wenger managed to mask some of the problems while he was around, but even his sides were losing credibility due to the oil clubs.

They kept nicking their best players in a way that United didn't experience too much of thankfully as we managed to keep Rooney and we didn't really care about Tevez and Hargreaves. I don't think they ever recovered.

Some of Arsenal's young players are really promising but its difficult to compete with mainly young players, as we've experienced over the last couple of years.
 
Won't write him off just yet. What can the man do with deadwoods & poor signings from the previous manager?

I didn't watch the 2nd half, but I thought the first 20 minute, Arsenal looks very good. Well, Brighton also looked good. Both teams play quick & direct football in that first 20 min. This half season should be used for Arteta to learn about his players & squad. Which one need to be get rid & which one he thinks has future to be his players and also players he can develop to make improvement. Next season, again, they shouldn't expect Arsenal to even make top 4 but actually hoping to see massive improvement in their players, their football & their defense under Arteta. It'll take time, Arsenal fans shouldn't put high expectation at this point or even next season like they think they are big team and deserve a big mentality.
 
Drainy said:
How do you even go about fixing this squad with no budget.

Pepe for £70m is looking like an awful commitment of their limited funds. The 'senior players' in a squad are really poor as leaders, they barely have any players in their mid 20s and the rest are all 18-20.
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Budget is not everything. I mean why is he not playing martinelli or why is he starting kolasinac when a lb was bought from celtic for 20 odd million. People keep on saying about how arsenal have progressed under arteta, well I don't see any. The truth is in these 2 games they have looked clueless and boring as brick. Amd even before the lockdown he was making basic tactical error and looking clueless. Wenger used to get dog abuse but arsenal under him in his final season were more competitive and much better to watch than this. Heck even Emery's first 4 or 5 months arsenal looked better.

Well yes they need to spend and back arteta but then you don't need 200 million to outplay a team that has not won in 2020. I will say yes he should not be sacked or let go but his honeymoon period is definitely over and he has to be judged accordingly.
 
Arteta's starting XIs and subs are genuinely terrible. So many bizarre / bad decisions.
 
Feck Arsenal and Arteta, both. They are horrible and to be honest - that is good for us, right now. Last thing we need would be Arsenal to be getting in the top 4 fight. We are struggling to make it, as is :D
 
Boils my blood a bit to see how people are quick to slag off Ole and praise Arteta. The latter can't even organize a basic defensive shape. If Arsenal don't invest in the summer Arteta won't last more than a season or two.
 
Why is it that people think Arteta is a good coach for working with Pep but Ole isn’t afforded the same reasoning for learning from an even better manager in Fergie. Just seems a case that Arteta is slightly more glamorous, but from what we have seen so far, Ole is a far better manager.
 
TrustInJanuzaj said:
Why is it that people think Arteta is a good coach for working with Pep but Ole isn’t afforded the same reasoning for learning from an even better manager in Fergie. Just seems a case that Arteta is slightly more glamorous, but from what we have seen so far, Ole is a far better manager.
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They are both not very good managers. Sign of the times when they are the ones managing 'big' clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal.
 
Other than Aubameyang and Leno, the entire squad should be back up players to other players the standard of Aubameyang and Leno, if they want to be a CL team again. That's how far behind I think they are. I know it's not FIFA but if I was Arteta I'd get rid of so many of the main culprits (Mustafi, Luiz, Xhaka would be the first three to go) and I'd probably cash in on Lacazette too and use the funds for an actual good centre-back.
 
I am loving every second of watching Arsenal this season. It’s fantastic to see. Rubbish players. Can’t defend. Ozil nowhere to be seen. Arteta completely out of his depth. Aubamawho, will be off soon. Incredible sister company in Arse Fam TV. They are what the youth of today would refer to them as a ‘meme’ football club. Banter FC if you like.

I do not feel sorry for their fans as most of my friends who support them are a living nightmare to debate and talk with and just cannot accept they are not making any progress whatsoever.

Ole and United still have a way to go but I can see the path we’re trying to take. What are they doing over there at the Emptirates?
 
dbs235 said:
Other than Aubameyang and Leno, the entire squad should be back up players to other players the standard of Aubameyang and Leno, if they want to be a CL team again. That's how far behind I think they are. I know it's not FIFA but if I was Arteta I'd get rid of so many of the main culprits (Mustafi, Luiz, Xhaka would be the first three to go) and I'd probably cash in on Lacazette too and use the funds for an actual good centre-back.
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Arsenal have no money
 
paraguayo said:
Arsenal have no money
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And yet they spent 72 million on pepe and bought a left back. Yes they may not have money like united or city or chelsea but they have spent more money than brighton. Their attack today was worth more than 180 million so this whole idea that they have not spent anything is joke. It's just that apart from aubameyang none of their transfer signings in recent times have been convincing.
 
dbs235 said:
Other than Aubameyang and Leno, the entire squad should be back up players to other players the standard of Aubameyang and Leno, if they want to be a CL team again. That's how far behind I think they are. I know it's not FIFA but if I was Arteta I'd get rid of so many of the main culprits (Mustafi, Luiz, Xhaka would be the first three to go) and I'd probably cash in on Lacazette too and use the funds for an actual good centre-back.
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I think they need minimum 2 transfer window from now if they want to be one. They can't solve everything in one window and the fans shouldn't be expecting high next season like CL spot is priority, they need to stop thinking like they are big team. It's been more than decade, a decade problem cannot be solved in short period of time.

However, I reckon they can try to get some players from the PL low table team. Max Aarons, Rice, Ake, Mings & Grealish "could be" & "may be" decent options for them to start their rebuilding project, majority those players can be available cheap if the club got relegated.
 
I think we should go for him as coach when he's fired. Ole needs all the help he can get. Not Ole bashing.
 
UpWithRivers said:
I think we should go for him as coach when he's fired. Ole needs all the help he can get. Not Ole bashing.
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There is no evidence to suggest that he is a good coach or a manager. Arsenal still look the same, making the same mistakes and having the same problems they have had before he took over. What has he improved, doesn't even look like they had a new manager bounce of any kind. Have any of the players improved under him?? They look like everyone is going backward or stagnating at the same mediocre level.

Arsenal won't sack him probably, which is fine as I think he should be given more time, as he could be talented, but so far he has shown very little of anything to suggest he is any good. Calling him a brilliant coach is a bit ridiculous right now, when he can't even organise his team's defense.
 
TrustInJanuzaj said:
Why is it that people think Arteta is a good coach for working with Pep but Ole isn’t afforded the same reasoning for learning from an even better manager in Fergie. Just seems a case that Arteta is slightly more glamorous, but from what we have seen so far, Ole is a far better manager.
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Ole had been a manager for a decade so everyone has seen what he has done and judges him on that.

Arteta is new in the role so gets a massive benefit of doubt, as nobody knows how good or bad he is.
 
No journos quizzed him about why Martinelli hasn't featured at all? Would love to hear what he has to say about that.
Really bizzare selections and subs really.
I can understand inheriting a piss poor squad, but you can make it even more bad by weird decisions and tactics
 
duffer said:
Ole had been a manager for a decade so everyone has seen what he has done and judges him on that.

Arteta is new in the role so gets a massive benefit of doubt, as nobody knows how good or bad he is.
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Aren't managers allowed to grow into their careers like players?

I don't think everyone just burst on the scene like Pep did. Klopp and Mourinho managed clubs before they hit the big time.

Ole managed in Norway because he's Norwegian, that's hardly a surprise seen as he's native of that country. He then jumped at a Cardiff job that even Pep wouldn't have saved.

Arteta needs time, like Ole you couldn't judge him on the squad he inherited because there are so many bad players, bad eggs and issues that need ironing out.

Imagine being handed David Luiz, what would you do with him when you want to play a four at the back. On top of that all their attackers are second tier at best other than Auba.

Even he's not the best footballer and is mainly a finisher.
 
Devil81 said:
Aren't managers allowed to grow into their careers like players?

I don't think everyone just burst on the scene like Pep did. Klopp and Mourinho managed clubs before they hit the big time.

Ole managed in Norway because he's Norwegian, that's hardly a surprise seen as he's native of that country. He then jumped at a Cardiff job that even Pep wouldn't have saved.

Arteta needs time, like Ole you couldn't judge him on the squad he inherited because there are so many bad players, bad eggs and issues that need ironing out.

Imagine being handed David Luiz, what would you do with him when you want to play a four at the back. On top of that all their attackers are second tier at best other than Auba.

Even he's not the best footballer and is mainly a finisher.
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I was just explaining why Arteta gets the Guardiola rub but Ole does not get the same from his time coaching under Fergie.

Of course I'm not saying Ole is the finished article as a coach but lets not pretend he's at a similar stage as Arteta, who has been a boss for about 20 games (and took over a far shitter and troubled side at Arsenal than Ole did at Man United).

As for Luiz, the managerial god that is Robbie Di Matteo won the Champions League playing him in a back 4.:smirk:
 
I'm not blaming him for their results. The team is pathetic, apart from maybe Aubameyang and Leno I wouldn't take anyone.
 
I think their squad is genuinely terrible.
Xhaka is their best midfielder. Just imagine that.
 
Arteta is going to have spend so much that he'll be known as a chequebook manager to drag Arsenal out of the mess they're in and were in before he took over. While United and Chelsea took gambles when they appointed thier current managers, both Solskjaer and Lamaprd had experience managing their own teams where they were deemed responsible for the result. Arteta's only coaching experience was as an assistant and there's a difference between being a manager/head coach and being an assistant.

I think the Everton job was available at the same time as the Arsenal one. Hindsight is great and I'm sure Evertonians are chuffed they have Ancelotti but maybe the Everton job might have been a better job for Arteta to take on. Yes, there would have been pressure at Everton as well but I'd say Everton, with Moshiri as the in charge of the pursestrings, would have the financial ambition that Arsenal might not have. While the chance to manage a big club doesn't come around very often, perhaps he thought with his heart and not his head in taking the Arsenal job.
 
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Xaviesta said:
Arteta is going to have spend so much that he'll be known as a chequebook manager to drag Arsenal out of the mess they're in and were in before he took over. While United and Chelsea took gambles when they appointed thier current managers, both Solskjaer and Lamaprd had experience managing their own teams where they were deemed responsible for the result. Arteta's only coaching experience was as an assistant and there's a difference between being a manager/head coach and being an assistant.

I think the Everton job was available at the same time as the Arsenal one. Hindsight is great and I'm sure Evertonians are chuffed they have Ancelotti but maybe the Everton job might have been a better job for Arteta to take on. Yes, there would have been pressure at Everton as well but I'd say Everton might Moshiri as the in charge would have ambition that Arsenal might not have. While the chance to manage a big club doesn't come around very often, perhaps he thought with his heart and not his head in taking the Arsenal job.
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Yeah I agree with this you know. I think the Arsenal job is one that requires experience as you rightly point out that squad looks a million miles away and very average. It needs a total overhaul and some clear direction much like United and Chelsea are doing. With Arsenal I don't see what they are looking to do granted we might have a better idea in the off season and I'm sure Arteta will have help and contacts from Pep.

Genuinely though who would you take from their squad? Don't think I've ever looked at an Arsenal side like that before. Very underwhelming.
 
TheReligion said:
Yeah I agree with this you know. I think the Arsenal job is one that requires experience as you rightly point out that squad looks a million miles away and very average. It needs a total overhaul and some clear direction much like United and Chelsea are doing. With Arsenal I don't see what they are looking to do granted we might have a better idea in the off season and I'm sure Arteta will have help and contacts from Pep.

Genuinely though who would you take from their squad? Don't think I've ever looked at an Arsenal side like that before. Very underwhelming.
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I'm not saying he's world class or anything but Aubamayang is only Arsenal player a top club would consider signing.
 
TheReligion said:
I'd take Auba and Sako.

And Guendozi
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I wouldn't even take them three, I might be alone here but I don't think Auba has enough to his game. He can be completely invisible in a game.

We've had goalscorers of limited football ability in the past and they either get found out or take something from the team as its like being a man light.

Leno is no better than our keepers and hes certainly not as good as our up and coming keeper Henderson.

And Gendouzi is so overrated, he's so average its untrue.
 
Arteta seems like an intelligent bloke, he would have taken in a lot from Pep and he comes across as quite stern, I haven’t seen enough evidence yet as to whether his coaching talents will translate to being a top manager for Arsenal, but regardless this job he has taken is an absolute nightmare.

Arsenal feels like a club in perpetual decline. Post Wenger they just seem to get worse and worse, they spent a bit of money but have very little to show for it. Arteta isn’t just taking over a poor Arsenal team, he is now part of a structure that stinks of underachievement and bad decisions. He can’t succeed on the pitch until he can break the cycle that the club seem to be stuck in, that is a very difficult job and he needs to be given the chance to do that.
 
So are the Ole haters who were wanking themselves silly about how Arteta was amazing and it was obvious how much better a manager he was starting to wind their neck in?
 
siw2007 said:
Arteta seems like an intelligent bloke, he would have taken in a lot from Pep and he comes across as quite stern, I haven’t seen enough evidence yet as to whether his coaching talents will translate to being a top manager for Arsenal, but regardless this job he has taken is an absolute nightmare
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I couldn't agree more.

Despite my above comment I think Arteta needs time to build and get the right players in.

He has, a little like Ole stepped into a club with problems...but more so.
 
londonredmaniac said:
I couldn't agree more.

Despite my above comment I think Arteta needs time to build and get the right players in.

He has, a little like Ole stepped into a club with problems...but more so.
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He has got to do a similar job to Ole in a sense.

You hear Ole talk about club culture and it may just be lip service but you do see the club making better decisions in the transfer market and a better mentality on the pitch. Arteta must do the same at Arsenal, all that tactical acumen that he will get hyped for will mean squat unless he can get the club making the right calls off the pitch and can install the right approach on the pitch.
 
Judas said:
I honestly don't know how they win any games, the fact we lost to them in January is one of the most shameful losses of points this season.
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Even the 1-1 at Old Trafford bothers me. In fact we've been pretty crap in the league against them recently.
 
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