‘This guy is a disgrace, was horrendous’, Arsenal fans slam attacker after Man City defeat

02-03-2018

Arsenal supporters were not pleased with the showing of Mesut Ozil, who struggled to make the difference during the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League last night.

The Germany international was expected to put in a stronger performance after failing to show up during the recent League Cup final to Manchester City, but barring the opening exchanges, the 29-year-old had a similar sort of game.

The World Cup winner was surprisingly slow with his decision-making over the course of the match, and the Gunners fans happened to be the old side of the German, where he was often frustrated after losing possession.

Here are some of the tweets:

https://twitter.com/A_HM28/status/969320072383787009

Ozil is doing my head in this evening. Haven't seen much of him since he signed. Never been talismanic against bigger sides.

— Nick C-B (@Wengers_Jacket) March 1, 2018

Is it me or is Ozil walking around like a petulant child?

— Doug (@AFCDoug) March 1, 2018

Same old Ozil. Turns the ball over and looks to blame someone else!#arsenal #afc #Ozil

— Arsenal West Palm Beach 🌴 (@Arsenal_WPB) March 1, 2018

Imagine paying #Ozil £300k a week. The guy is a disgrace. Turns up 1 out of 3 games, he signed because no one else wanted him #Arsenal

— Adam (@AdamR519) March 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/YankeeGunner/status/969318369739583496

I’m sorry but Mesut Ozil is not an elite footballer.

— good ebening (@Armor4Sleep) March 1, 2018

Arsenal really made Ozil the highest paid player in their history for him to start playing like he's Mkhi

— Marrotti (@AliquamScripto) March 1, 2018

Even Mesut Ozil is playing without any conviction, that's when you know that there is a real problem in the team and that lies solely with the manager.

— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) March 1, 2018

Ozil appeared to be playing with intensity prior to signing a contract extension, but everything has been deja vu since then, with the attacker leaning back to his previous laziness on the pitch.

The performance does not fully warrant him being the most-expensive player on the pitch last night, and he needs to step up big time this weekend for Arsenal to return to winning ways.

Arsene Wenger’s side have picked up just 13 points in 14 league matches on the road this term, and despite playing only Brighton, they to find the cutting edge to their play in order to come up with three points.

With the Citizens’ defeat, the top-four hopes are more or less over, and the focus is likely to shift to the Europa League, where winning the competition assures of a place in the Champions League next term.

However, that does not come easy as well with AC Milan likely to prove difficult opponents in the two-legged round of 16 tie – owing to their unbeaten run in 2018 which includes victories over AS Roma and Lazio of late.

Jack Wilshere to make shock decision on his Arsenal future

Sri Aswin

02-03-2018

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere could reportedly leave on a Bosman in the summer with talks over a contract extension yet to progress beyond the initial stage.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly suggested that the club are progressing well in discussions with the 26-year-old, but according to The Sun, this does not appear the case.

The publication suggests that Wilshere has been asked to take a 25 per cent pay cut on his current £120,000-a-week wages, and this has not gone well with the midfielder.

The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are alleged to receive packages in excess of £170,000-a-week, and the Englishman believes he deserves much more than the £90,000 weekly wage, that has been put up on the table.

As a result, the midfielder is said to be ‘miles apart’ from negotiating terms with the Gunners, and this could potentially see him head through the exit door at the end of the current campaign.

Despite going through a tough phase across all competitions, there is no denying that Wilshere has looked one of the most liveliest players on the field, and the failure to discuss a contract would undoubtedly be a huge blow.

Liverpool have been touted as potential candidates for the Stevenage-born ace in the summer, and the club’s hierarchy still to find a solution at the earliest possibility if they are to avoid selling yet another player to strengthen one of their direct rivals.

Wilshere did not feature in the recent 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City with an ankle knock, but he is likely to return to first-team action for this weekend’s away trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Arsenal are currently 10 points behind the Champions League positions, and the chance of finishing in the top-four is more or less over, barring a miracle, considering the form of Liverpool and Tottenham of late.

Ozil and Aubameyang start, 4-3-2-1: Strongest Predicted Arsenal XI to face Man City

Sri Aswin

01-03-2018

Arsenal will seek to avenge their recent League Cup final defeat to Manchester City when they entertain them in the Premier League tonight.

TheGunners were outclassed by the Citizens, who picked up a comfortable 3-0 win last weekend, and the fans will surely expect a strong response, given the home advantage.

Formation: 4-3-2-1

Lineup:

Petr Cech has not featured for the Gunners since the north London derby defeat in early February. The veteran is expected to retain the number one role ahead of David Ospina, now that the club are back to Premier League duties.

In defence, we are anticipating a change to the four-at-the-back formation, and hence, Calum Chambers should make way, after his rather dismal performance last weekend.

Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi are viable candidates to start in the central defence, whilst Hector Bellerin and probably Ainsley Maitland-Niles will feature in the right and left-back positions respectively.

The ploy of playing Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere versus City backfired especially in the defensive point of view, and we are fancying Mohamed Elneny to start in a three-man midfield with Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey featuring alongside him.

Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will have the opportunity to revive their partnership for the first time in nearly three weeks, and the pair are likely to feature behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who should lead the line once again.

The Gabon international appeared to distinctly lack match fitness during the Cup final against City, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with Pep Guardiola’s side at the Emirates, where they are likely to field a different centre-back partnership.

Arsene Wenger confirms big injury blow for Arsenal ahead of Man City clash

Sri Aswin

01-03-2018

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed a key injury blow ahead of Thursday night’s Premier League clash versus Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will be aiming for a better showing against the Citizens following their 3-0 loss to the same opposition in the League Cup final, but they will have to do without the advances of Nacho Monreal.

The left-back appeared to be struggling with his back which forced the Gunners into a first-half substitution last weekend, and Wenger has now confirmed that the Spaniard is sidelined for the midweek game.

Meanwhile, there are potentially further fears over the back injury as it would see him miss the Brighton trip next weekend as well as an important Europa League round of 16 tie at AC Milan.

Wenger said: “He is out for the two games on Thursday and Sunday, certainly out. He might be out for two more, Milan and maybe even one more. He had an inflamed back, a disc problem. The rest, everybody is fit.”

Monreal has surprisingly flourished in front of goal during the second half of the season, but the Spaniard also offers experience at the back, which the Gunners don’t have at present.

Sead Kolasinac has looked impressive going forward, but his defensive frailties could see Ainsley Maitland-Niles getting the nod against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Arsenal are currently 10 points behind the top-four, and tonight’s game is a potentially must-win, if they are to have any chance of making the Champions League next term, via their league phase.

Otherwise, they may have to win the Europa League altogether, though there is no assurance of winning the competition, considering they are plenty of strong contenders including Atletico Madrid and Milan.

The Rossoneri have remained unbeaten since the turn of the year, and Arsenal won’t have an easy route to the quarter-final of the competition this month.

Arsenal roll over as Manchester City run riot

The Long Shadow

27-02-2018

The wrong Arsenal team turned up to play Manchester City in the Carabao cup final. It had the majority of the same players that can look sublime in attack but, no, it was the other one. The clueless, amateurish, inept side, the one that frustrates and loses to the substandard opposition. The one that provokes season ticket holders to announce that they will not be renewing.

The team where the fans have to leave the stadium because they’ve exhausted their patience and the one that makes you embarrassed to wear the replica shirt in public. Such was Arsenal’s timid and unimaginative display, that you could forgive the impartial viewer from a far-flung corner of the Galaxy for thinking that they were from a much lower league.

All the old failings were there for everyone to see, all the same issues of the last 8 or 9 seasons were exposed once more by a City side who didn’t even put their foot down on the gas. It was a workout, a practice match and an expensive kick about, especially for the Gunners fans who parted with hard cash and left Wembley with nothing to show for it.

The truth is that the North London side looked like the season couldn’t end quick enough. They were tired, disorganised and scared of a side that have scored all season for fun. Out of all Arsenal’s stars, no one really did themselves any justice, there was no fighting spirit, no trench mentality and no desire.

They stared at each other on occasion, searching for solutions and answers, they looked toward the bench and into the face of their tired manager but he offered a blank and helpless expression.

Guardiola didn’t need a game plan or a series of highly technical or intricate tactics, he just needed the North London club to turn up and roll over and that’s exactly what they did. They were unable to carve out realistic chances, lost the ball too often and were caught on the break by a City squad who thrive going forward with plenty of options.

They looked seriously out of salts, lacked endeavour and ideas, and after they conceded the second goal, those behind the scenes could attach blue ribbons to the handles with confidence before heading off to the canteen for the rest of the match. As an Arsenal fan it was positively awkward to watch and the optimism that one felt prior to the match started to evaporate after the goal machine Sergio Agüero, slotted home his 199 City goal.

The North London club seemed to be stuck in neutral and barely showed any sense of urgency, something that was picked up on by former United player and pundit Gary Neville. As the match progressed, Neville became more irritated with Arsenal and that irritation developed into a series of scathing rants.

Neville singled out Ramsey and Xhaka for special criticism

“An absolute disgrace … they’ve given up … spineless … they’re walking around on a football pitch”.

The camera then showed a young Arsenal fan in floods of tears, devastated by disappointment in probably his first major trip to Wembley.

“That’s what they’ve caused.”

Neville said sternly.

It didn’t end there, the pundit’s observations developed into an endless rant about Arsenal’s general approach and attitude and you sensed that the former United man was about to explode. He was particularly cross about their lack of urgency.

“Ramsey’s walking. They’re walking. Xhaka’s walking. Ozil’s walking. Don’t walk at Wembley. You’re 2-0 down. Run.”

Seats were vacated and there was a tangible sense of anger about the way this supposed “top-flight side” gave nothing and ultimately ended up with nothing. Is there a way back for this side? Not this season, no. It’s over, we will not be in the Champions League next season because it’s going to be mathematically impossible within the next handful of games.

If they continue to play like this they will not have to concern themselves about the Europa league for too much longer either. The Carabao cup was City’s biggest win in a final and Arsenal’s heaviest defeat but more than that, there was the sudden realisation that the gap between the top six sides is getting wider and Arsenal are, at present, incapable of mounting a serious challenge in any major competition until they sort out their defensive problems.

It’s all wrong, there’s no cohesion, no chemistry, no understanding, it doesn’t matter if they go with a back 3,4 or 5 for that matter, the personnel are wrong. Wenger needs a holding midfielder of genuine quality, no more excuses, no more ignoring the fact, he needs one URGENTLY. He then needs to dismantle the central defensive partnership and dispatch his current options to the “for sale” hanger and buy wisely when the transfer window opens.

Ramsey, Xhaka, Elneny, Koscielny, Mustafi, Chambers, Welbeck, Ospina and Cech, all need to look for other clubs, time has run out and so has patience. The patient needs surgery and it will only get worse if left unattended, the diagnosis hasn’t changed for years but the condition is critical. Dr. Wenger needs to use the scalpel, to cut away the malignant parts of Arsenal if they want to survive. If not he may be the next casualty.

Carabao Cup Final: How do Arsenal beat Manchester City?

The Long Shadow

23-02-2018

According to various pundits, Manchester City looked destined to win the quadruple before their shocking defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup. Such is their form and flair at the moment, but everyone will have off days like City’s midweek defeat and Arsenal’s biggest task if they are to beat the odds and win the Carabao Cup, is to stifle the flair in midfield.

De Bruyne is the key, without question the best player in the Premier League at the moment and he is the one that makes the City goal machine one of the most attractive we have seen for many years.

The Belgium star isn’t going to be easy to phase out of the game, players with his type of vision and ability to find space never are, but if the Gunners are going to get anything out of the game, they need to find a way of shackling him and preventing him from playing his normal game.

Arsenal will get chances but they will need to take them as the opportunities arise. They can ill afford to squander half chances or hope that they will be plentiful in a game of this magnitude. The North London club will no doubt relyOzil,il , Mkhitaryan and Wilshere’s creative skills but it may be a chance for the likes of Monreal or Bellerin to provide the killer blow.

These games are notoriously tight, let’s hope so and the team that grabs the first goal will find it hard to to pull back the deficit. The Gunners will certainly have to be fired up and hit the ground running. There have been problems with the team in the early stages of a game(like the Europa tie) and performing to a lower, disjointed standard, could open the floodgates for a City side that are brutally clinical.

Arsenal will have to defend in numbers, break up the play and strike with blistering speed to make any dent in the game but like City, the Emirates club love to attack but are less capable in defence. Who Wenger picks on the day may indicate the intended game plan but sitting back and absorbing City’s waves of attacks is unlikely. Yet, the first mistake may prove crucial.

City’s defence isn’t perfect, nor is it the finished article but it is superior to the North London clubs, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be breached. The Manchester side are about possession and attack, if that were to change in the cup final, we may be in for a treat. If City were to lose, it wouldn’t be the end of the World, they have more irons in other fires but Arsenal are running out of ways to qualify for a Champions League spot and apart from the Europa league, no other chance of bagging silverware.

So both teams are under pressure for different reasons, expectations are high for City and for Arsenal, it’s the fear of failure and another disappointing season in terms of the major completions. Arsenal’s creative players will have to show up and be counted, which means relying on Ozil once again. After all the hubbub of contract negotiations, the German is now free to put matters on the pitch first.

This should mean that his clever and incisive touches could be the difference as Arsenal look to upset the odds. Will Wenger go for a pair in defensive cover at the expense of a creative force? it’s likely but that plan has proved to be flooded on occasion because the options aren’t of the required standard. For me it’s a question of mentality, when Arsenal played Chelsea in the FA cup final last season, many saw it as an inevitable win for Conte’s men but they were slow and looked ragged.

If Arsenal can set the tone from the whistle, it could be game on but don’t think that this City side will just roll over. Expect lots of tension, close calls and near misses from these two expansive footballing sides. Let’s hope that it’s a showpiece final to give this cup the credibility it currently lacks. It’s a cup of course but does it make up for the Londoners not being in the fight for the premiership. ? Of course not but it will help fans overlook Arsenal’s failures this term.

Arsene Wenger makes huge claim on Danny Welbeck’s Arsenal future

Sri Aswin

22-02-2018

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that he would like to keep Danny Welbeck at the Emirates for an extended period despite his inability to match the goalscoring prowess of Harry Kane.

Speaking prior to the Ostersund clash, Wenger said: “I want to keep him [Welbeck] because I believe he has gone through a torrid time. He has come out well. I see signs in training now that are positive. If he can stay on the pitch and not be injured, I want him to stay here.”

The England international has notched just 22 goals over his three-and-a-half seasons with the north London side, but he has spent nearly half of that time on the sidelines with multiple long-term knee injuries.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in the ranks, Welbeck is clearly the third-choice for the centre-forward role, but he is still expected to play a key role in the backend of the Europa League campaign.

Lacazette is out for another four weeks with a knee injury and with Aubameyang also ineligible, Welbeck has the opportunity to impress until the quarter-final stage of Europe’s second competition at the least.

Welbeck is presently contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2019, but the club are alleged to have already begun talks over a probable extension.

Whilst Welbeck would normally prefer to play upfront, Wenger has cited the attacker’s versatility to feature across the attack, and the manager believes he could yet make a late push for England’s World Cup squad.

The ex-United graduate is expected to lead the line in the Europa League round of 32 second-leg against Ostersund tonight, and he will hope for a better showing from the previous outing.

Welbeck had been wary of the 4G pitch during the 3-0 away win at Ostersund, but he may play with a lot more freedom at the Emirates Stadium.

Injury Update: Blow for Arsenal as two players could miss Man City clash

Sri Aswin

22-02-2018

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that the club could be without the services of both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey for this weekend’s League Cup final versus Manchester City.

The Gunners have limited resources for the Cup final with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Henrikh Mkhitaryan Cup-tied, and there could be further disappointment on the fitness front ahead of the Wembley showpiece.

Speaking prior to the second-leg of the Europa League round of 32 versus Ostersund, Wenger confirmed that both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey would not feature against the Swedish outfit.

Ozil has been down with illness over the past few days, and Wenger has revealed that the German won’t feature in the reverse leg, potentially making him a doubt to start versus City.

He said: “Mesut was sick until today, he was in bed on Monday and Tuesday. I would have played him, but he will not be involved tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Ramsey is set to miss his third game on the trot after a groin strain in training, and he is apparently a touch-and-go to make the matchday squad for Sunday.

Wenger added: “He is not in the squad tomorrow. He had a good training session but he’s a bit short. We’ll see how his evolution goes. I don’t rule him out yet, it depends how well he can improve his intensity.”

Initial suggestions were that Wenger may rest a couple more regulars with a view to the Cup final, but the changes are likely to be minimal with most of the reserve players from the first-half of the season, having parted ways for fresh challenges elsewhere.

Despite his shortcomings, Ozil has been the go-to man in the Gunners’ attack, and the club’s faithful will hope that he is deemed fit for the Cup final or else they may be a genuine lack of attacking threat.

As things stand, Wenger may opt for a 4-3-3 formation versus City with Ozil and Alex Iwobi playing behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the German’s absence may force him to push Wilshere into an attacking midfield role or feature the recently-turned Danny Welbeck.

Manchester City will feel the heat in Carabao Cup final against underdogs Arsenal

The Long Shadow

22-02-2018

I think it was former American football player and coach Vince Lombardi who said ” winning is a habit, unfortunately so is losing”. It’s a quote that resonates more with Arsenal fans than those of Manchester City this season, but the FA Cup loss to Wigan has ended all talk of the quadrupole.

Not only that but City head to Wembley at the weekend to contest the Carabao cup with Arsenal, with doubts and jitters in their minds for the first time this season.

Football can sometimes be about luck and sometimes about momentum. The North London club at the time of the invincible’s were in a rich vein of form but even that run came to a natural end, perhaps because of complacency. That complacency then knocks confidence and it can lead to an inexplicable dip in form.

Will City follow this pattern?, probably not but they will be full of nerves now on the big occasion and Arsenal need to capitalise with a full-blooded first 45.

If all is equal at halftime, it will be worse for Guardiola’s team than Wenger’s. The Arsenal boss will still feel he can get something from the game and as it goes on, momentum may be in his favour. Many still believe that the blue side of Manchester will roll over the Gunners despite the blip but let’s not count chickens just yet.

The Psychology of football dictates that players are damaged at stages of a season, often by a single poor result, one that was unexpected and unnecessary. City, had no right to beat Wigan of course. On paper, they should have beaten them handsomely with something to spare but the beautiful game likes to spice things up and Wigan, for their part, rolled back the years and put in a fighting performance that baffled the runaway leaders.

Arsenal players will have watched that performance and rubbed their hands together at the prospect of taking on City so quickly. Guardiola will do his job to prepare a gifted squad and dispel any thoughts of another loss but he can’t take to the field and once the players cross over the white line it’s a different prospect.

Wenger will use the Wigan game as part of his preparation to inspire players that have suffered more downs than ups this season and it may have an influence on his final choice. Not in the way Big Sam tried to employ his copycat ‘Swansea’ tactics but it may just help define formation and personnel in his mind rather than on paper.

This is now an intriguing final, it’s possible that the Gunners could heap more misery on the Manchester club but to do that, they will have to defend solidly and harness the spirit they showed in the FA cup final against Chelsea last season. It’s up for grabs, let’s see which team will take the initiative.

Watford midfielder reveals interest in completing Arsenal transfer move

Sri Aswin

20-02-2018

Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has suggested that he would prefer a move to Arsenal over Tottenham Hotspur, if he were to move to north London during this summer’s transfer window.

The 25-year-old has been one of the standout performers for the Hornets during the current campaign, and his showing has attracted interest from several high-profile clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

In an exclusive interview with Telefoot, Doucoure was asked as to which of the north London rivals would he prefer to play for, and he replied: “Arsenal, because of Arsene Wenger.”

Arsenal have struggled in the central midfield department during the course of the season, with Wenger struggling to maintain a genuine partnership.

Aaron Ramsey has found himself injured in different stages of the campaign, and this has seen the likes of Granit Xhaka and Jack Wilshere feature in the centre of the park, though the former has come for plenty of criticism.

Xhaka has received stick for his lack of mobility while defending, and there have been calls to replace the Swiss international in the club’s ranks in the summer.

Doucoure has plyed his trade in both the holding midfield and central midfield roles this term, and his performances have been solid with an overall rating of 7.13 in comparison to Xhaka’s 6.92, as per whoscored.com.

The French footballer has also been in the goals with seven in 26 league games, and he has contributed a further two assists – both of which came in a 4-1 thumping of Chelsea earlier this month.

Doucoure’s preference is undoubtedly an advantage, but it will be interesting to see whether Wenger prefers a player of this mould, considering the midfielder is still relatively weak with the tackling attribute of his game.

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