Oft times, Premier League managers can be defined by their sound bites; a few choice sentences from an interview or a throwaway phrase in some programme notes. 'Dilly ding, dilly dong' evokes memories of Cladio Ranieri, for example, while 'sexy football' is inextricably linked to Ruud Gullit. For my own part, when I think of … Continue reading ‘At certain times you have to provoke friction with footballers’
The law of unintended consequences says that, for every purposeful action by an individual, there is an outcome that is not intended or foreseen. Against West Ham on Saturday, Unai Emery set his side up in such a way as to bring some much-sought after balance to a team that has been leaking goals and … Continue reading A focus on defence left Arsenal impotent in attack as they flounder at West Ham
It’s a high-stakes game of blackjack, Arsenal have drawn 15 and the dealer has an ace in hand – do we stick or twist? That is the situation in which the club finds itself during this January transfer window, with the prize a spot in the top four and a return to the Champions League … Continue reading Stick or twist? Arsenal must weigh up defensive gamble with top four at stake
If success over Burnley proved one thing above all else it’s that Arsenal are more willing to get their hands dirty now than they have been for a generation. Despite Sean Dyche’s overt attempts to smash the Gunners into submission on Saturday – using the same tactics he employed against both Liverpool and Tottenham – … Continue reading Dyche Smash! Arsenal are wise to Burnley’s filthy football as they secure much-needed success
Goals win games but defences win titles. The old adage is a tired one but nobody can say it isn’t true. Even for Pep Gurdiola’s swashbuckling Manchester City side, who netted more than 100 goals on their way to Premier League title glory last season. Alongside their success at the top end of the pitch, … Continue reading Goals, goals, goals! How Arsenal need to stop conceding if they want to progress under Unai Emery
Defeat on the south coast today (Sunday) saw a return to the bad old days for Arsenal as a poor Southampton side were gifted a 3-2 win. As so often the Gunners did in Arsene Wenger’s later years, we allowed a relegation-threatened side the opportunity to get on top of us with an error-strewn display … Continue reading Perfect storm of injuries and errors sees return to bad old days for Arsenal in Southampton defeat
There will always be teams in the Premier League whose game plan is to stifle, frustrate, and generally muddy the waters. Today (Saturday) that team was Huddersfield. They came within 10 minutes or so of getting away with exactly what they had come for – a point – and, in fairness to them, that’s ok. … Continue reading Arsenal 1 Huddersfield 0: Turgid Terriers make Gunners sweat for win
No room for charity from the Gunners as Huddersfield visit Emirates Stadium
Adaptability was the order of the day as Unai Emery’s resilient Arsenal eased their way to a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth on Sunday. The sort of fixture the Gunners were like to have thrown away last season, there was a measure of control in the way Emery’s men went about their work on the south … Continue reading Victory at Bournemouth is a step forward as Arsenal grow into the Unai Emery era
Changes needed if Arsenal hope to come away from Bournemouth with a result
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