• The Arsenal
  • Official: Mikel Arteta is the new Arsenal manager.

Qwiss

I agree. But it's very good news we're holding on to Arteta for now. I reflect on Klopp's time at Liverpool. Either we add up a very lucky and winning season, we grow far more confident in Europe, or City's level drops a little finally. That's what a major trophy will require.

In three years this playing group will be starting to split. At that point it might be best to think like a big club and flip Arteta just to freshen things up.

But for now it's match day four and we're the bookies' third favourites for the Champions League.

HomeSteak I am okay for him to stay as long as he wants as long as he don't drop out of top 4.

Qwiss honestly if Pep could just fuck off I could see us winning back to back league titles

    One thing I'm reflecting on is the length of the contract - it's essentially a two year extension which isn't long (at least not in the new world of Boehly economics). Wonder if that was driven more by the club or by Arteta?

      Don Pacifico he’s already been here a while relative to the average manager. So it’s fine. Keeps him focused on immediate priorities.

      15 days later

      Mikel is a football hipster nerd. He'll not only be borrowing from all managers, he'll tell you which season the tactics were from and case examples of specific ways you handle a situation. "This is a bit like Matty Cash vs Salah when Villa won big against Liverpool. He played an uninverted full-back in defense but an inverted winger on the ball. This is something a little similar to what Dani Alves used to do when played against Espanol, except in that one situation in season 2013-2014 where they went down to 10 and he had to suffer."

      This guy doesn't get enough credit for just how tactically flexible and adaptable the team has become to playing in so many different ways. We can play a high press, a mid-block, a low block, play out the back, play long, set pieces, possession, all to an exceptionally high level in a single game. The only thing missing is an effective counter attack otherwise we would be complete. People were comparing us to Atletico and Chelsea, myself included but we aren't wedded to a particular style like they were in their pomp. It'd be a travesty if this group of players didn't win a major trophy.

        daredevil impressive. Even yesterday we played two different halves. And the variety of players we can deploy mean ls opposing torches must be at a bit of a loss

        We've become committed to a 4-4-2 when defending, which I'm fine with. It suits us perfectly because of the size and endurance of the team.

        Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

        Yes, but just about every team has these spells here and there. The important part is not to conceded when we don't have complete control.. We have done that pretty well so far.

        Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

        This could also be a tactic. Meaningless possession by the other side is fine.

        I really do feel we still need an additional attacker in Jan if we are going to win the league. Just to absolutely cement it.

        We have to continue to be the hungriest team in the league after what happened last two seasons. Never give in. Anytime complacency hits then remember how we felt when City won the title.

        We have achieved nothing and done nothing so we must make sure no laziness creeps in.

        Let’s keep going, game by game, grind this shit out.

        daredevil — well said!

        I do think we’ll never see consistent and impressive counter attacks from this team. Arteta asks too much of the wingers defensively for them to play with the freedom necessary for counter attacking.

        Take for example Martinelli yesterday who broker free multiple times and didn’t have another player within thirty yards. That’s certainly not because they’re lazy, but the impact of starting positions and the ask to retain the ball once upfield.

          MistaT Arteta asks too much of the wingers defensively for them to play with the freedom necessary for counter attacking.

          Even Saka talked about this when he was talking to Titi/Micah/Carra... He said that he wishes he could just stay up the pitch and go forward, but running back and forth from offense to defense back to offense is difficult.

            USArsenal yeah, I heard that and I don't know if I'm being over sensitive but my Spidey senses tingled when he said it. I guess the ends will justify the means if we start putting trophies in the cabinet, but even I wonder how sustainable that amount of sacrifice is with nothing to show for it.

            Saka has just said "this year's the year" and I'm damn sure the whole squad that just lived through last season feels like that ... as we all do. The best of this squad is only going to stay together over time if it happens.