Roland17:


Let me start by saying welcome to the thread, not sure I have seen this handle before.

Most times, it's not even opponents putting us under pressure. Sometimes our players play into the hands of our opponents, the examples are numerous I have lost count. Do you remember the Watford game where Sokratis had a brain fart? I mean how much worse can it get? That example cost us 3 points! We scored 2 goals, a good defense should be able to see that out but of course, Luiz had to hack a player to make Sokratis's brain fart look easier on the eyes!

Trust me, I have been around but with different monikers. Been here since 2007.

On Sokratis and Luiz brain farts, you have a point.
We are that gift that never stops giving. Constantly shooting ourselves on the foot.

We are definitely going nowhere but downwards with these set of defenders.

Roland17:


100% in agreement with you about the CB combination, it can not get worse than what we are parading! I am fine with Mari, Saliba, Chambers, Holding, and any decent CB out there we can get to compete for places. Mavro did excellently well with Nurnberg, in the worst case we bring him back if we can't get anything decent in the market.

Why can't we get anything decent on the market?
Upamecano is there for the taking.
We only need to spend.

The odds of Arsenal winning a trophy in the next 3 years is 1.03

Roland17:
I don’t care who you put in front as attackers/ midfielders, if the defense is abysmal and comical like ours, you can’t win games. You may have to score 3 or more in many instances to guarantee you a win and that is our situation. Our defense is the butt of joke in the EPL.
We desperately need to overhaul our CB roster, it is a joke to put kindly and has caused us so much pain and points. Also we need to buy players for the role they should be playing and stop cutting corners by converting players and having them take roles they are uncomfortable with. There are pieces in the midfield and attack that can keep us competitive if we have a decent defense.

I humbly disagree with this. Check out during our Emery back days, we concede a lot, not because our defence is that bad, but because our midfield is so so bad. Our Midfield doesn't stop the opposition attack before it gets to defence and that's why we're receiving 10+ shots a game. Point is, any team that concedes 10+ shot on target has more to do with midfield and attack compared to defence. Also, how many goals have we conceded since Arteta took over? Our attack is really blunt, none of our player is in double digits aside auba in goals... Isn't this worrying? Assists nko? Worst is midfield...only one goal among all midfielders. Isn't this worrying?

Yesterday, it was all possession without actual breaking of lines. No individual creativity from the attack.
Not that we shouldn't change our defence, but midfield and attack first and you'll see the world of difference it'll make.

vicenzo:


Why can't we get anything decent on the market?
Upamecano is there for the taking.
We only need to spend.

The truth and reality is that we can't compete for his signature. We can spend, but not to the level of competing against other top teams for a signature. We have so much debt, including salaries that we need to shed, worse still, we recently declared a loss. We would need to find a decent defender that would not cost an arm and a leg.

Roland17:


The truth and reality is that we can't compete for his signature. We can spend, but not to the level of competing against other top teams for a signature. We have so much debt, including salaries that we need to shed, worse still, we recently declared a loss. We would need to find a decent defender that would not cost an arm and a leg.

Then it will be a long time before we are back to competing again.

Maybe we can at least get Marlang on free.

vicenzo:
When Pep came to City, guess what he did?

His first action was to Change the entire City backline including Hart the goal keeper.

Kolarov, Clichy, Sagna, Zabaleta, Hart, were all axed in one swoop.

Because the foundation of every title winning team is the defense, and at Arsenal, we have ignored defense for so long.

Ferguson broke the EPL transfer record to sign Ferdinand from Leeds to make sure he stays ahead of Arsenal, Klopp broke transfer record on Van Djik, Ole Gunner Splashed big on Maguire.
Arsenal and Arteta needs a top level defender to coordinate our backline. Until we do this, buying any midfielder, or striker will be waste of time.

Kolasinac, Mustafi, Holding, Sokratis Chambers need to go.
They are not good enough or not fit enough.

We must prioritize our defense this transfer window.
If we keep the back line solid. In Auba, Pepe, Laca, Saka, Martinelli, we have enough talent to win the likes of Sheffield consistently. And this should be enough to get us into top 4 again.

while you have facts that when pep came to city, he changed the entire backline. While that is true, that is not the way you painted it. Firstly, they've one of the strongest attack in the league with sterling and aguero. He added sane(attack complete). Midfield is already sorted before he came... Who's better than Silva kdb or fernandinho?. Lol, so why should he buy in midfield? And that's why he have to change the defence back line. Or you think if it wasn't sorted(midfield and attack) he would have gone for defence?

Talking about Liverpool, klopp only bought van dijk and Allison wen midfield and attack is sorted. Aside firmino, salah and mane arrived before van dijk (so attack is complete), midfield he bought wijnaldum before van dijk. So midfield was set, before he got van dijk. All these proved my point, midfield and attack are firstly important as long as defence is manageable. Ours is manageable, but attack is insipid and midfield is worse. Where will the goals and assist come from. Why won't opposition have a go at our defence wen they know we can't bite?

Jodera:
I humbly disagree with this. Check out during our Emery back days, we concede a lot, not because our defence is that bad, but because our midfield is so so bad. Our Midfield doesn't stop the opposition attack before it gets to defence and that's why we're receiving 10+ shots a game. Point is, any team that concedes 10+ shot on target has more to do with midfield and attack compared to defence. Also, how many goals have we conceded since Arteta took over? Our attack is really blunt, none of our player is in double digits aside auba in goals... Isn't this worrying? Assists nko? Worst is midfield...only one goal among all midfielders. Isn't this worrying?

Yesterday, it was all possession without actual breaking of lines. No individual creativity from the attack.
Not that we shouldn't change our defence, but midfield and attack first and you'll see the world of difference it'll make.

I respectfully beg to disagree. You are shouldering the responsibility of our defense on midfielders now? What is the primary role of the defenders then? We have to stop pretending like we have the 2nd coming of Campbell/ Keown in their prime at the back. When are we going to call our defenders for what they are? We are choosing to absolve them of their responsibilities despite the glaring evidence!
If we reviewed all the goals we conceded during Ebening and now Arteta's reign how many percentages would be on the defenders versus the midfielders? We were sabotaging our efforts by trying to play from the back and conceding goals. Finishing chances is a lesser worry than teaching players the art of defending a lead. Numerous games where we have scored 2 goals but end up with draws or losses!

Mcgoldrick scored in the 87th, Maupay scored in the 95th minute, Jamie Vardy scored in the 84th minute, Alder scored in the 81st yesterday, what does that tell you? Short of name-calling, Arteta talked about how the performance of the defense affects the mood of the team especially after conceding comical goals like we have.

We need to hold them accountable, these are some of the reasons mediocrity has continued in that department because we are shielding agbayas!

Fkhalifa:

I get your point, and I'm not disputing the problems at the back. But if we can kill games off,put opposition on constant pressure as against the insipid pointless possession, we'll be close if not there yet.

Remember the game at city, we didn't concede till 45th minute, but we never looked like scoring all through, maybe its my eyes, we don't look threatening, you won't see dangerous crosses,shots,defense splitting passes, everything is just pass pass and pass.

See the game at wolves, we defended and got lucky not to concede, but going forward, we were slow,weak and dry, until Laca came on, and immediately we scored, everyone became energized.

If we buy the best defenders, I can assure you if the forwards are not making use of the ball effectively, opposition teams will put constant pressure and the world class defenders will look mediocre also.

We need to fix defense just as the attack. If I were to be coach, I'll focus on attack first as we don't concede or make errors every minute.

This has been our arsenal since. Just pass and pass. No dangerous crosses... Bellerin can't cross to save his life. No pepedem shots, no Alexis type of winger in our team, someone who can beat his man and have a goal. Man city have 2 presently cos Sane is gone, Liverpool have two. Chelsea have 2 in ziyech and pulisic, man u have 1 with martial, but we who do we have?
That's why auba is just the only one scoring, the day he fails to score, we might just be hoping maybe laca or pepe scores at least one that day, if not we're not sure of goal. If our attack are stifled, we should forget about goal in that match cos we know midfield will do Nada, either with goals or creativity? Isn't that worrying?

Roland17:


I respectfully beg to disagree. You are shouldering the responsibility of our defense on midfielders now? What is the primary role of the defenders then? We have to stop pretending like we have the 2nd coming of Campbell/ Keown in their prime at the back. When are we going to call our defenders for what they are? We are choosing to absolve them of their responsibilities despite the glaring evidence!
If we reviewed all the goals we conceded during Ebening and now Arteta's reign how many percentages would be on the defenders versus the midfielders? We were sabotaging our efforts by trying to play from the back and conceding goals. Finishing chances is a lesser worry than teaching players the art of defending a lead. Numerous games where we have scored 2 goals but end up with draws or losses!

Mcgoldrick scored in the 87th, Maupay scored in the 95th minute, Jamie Vardy scored in the 84th minute, Alder scored in the 81st yesterday, what does that tell you? Short of name-calling, Arteta talked about how the performance of the defense affects the mood of the team especially after conceding comical goals like we have.

We need to hold them accountable, these are some of the reasons mediocrity has continued in that department because we are shielding agbayas!

Of course the primary goals of defence is to stifle attack. But attack doesn't just appear in front of defence, it passes through the midfield. There's a saying that the first Line of defence is attack. Once a midfield is completely overrun, there's little the defence can do. Yes our defence is comical and we can never use that kinda defence to carry league, but even our attack and midfield is 5th or 6th it can lead us to.

At the bolded you mentioned, most of the matches are both equalisers, except that of Brighton and Tottenham. What does that tell you, that we're scoring only one goal. Does that tell you the kinda attack we have?. See Leicester for example, we spurned so many chances to make it two that the vardy goal in the 80+ min now seems significant. And that's my point. Not every game I expect us to be scoring 2-3 goals, but any team that wants to rely on a goal lead to win games won't go far, except if you've world class defenders in your team.

I respect your view about our defence, but I want you to look deeply into our attack and see our average goals per match and the goal scorers especially in that attack. Exclude auba goals and let's see where our attack and midfield goals would lead us.

Jodera:
I humbly disagree with this. Check out during our Emery back days, we concede a lot, not because our defence is that bad, but because our midfield is so so bad. Our Midfield doesn't stop the opposition attack before it gets to defence and that's why we're receiving 10+ shots a game. Point is, any team that concedes 10+ shot on target has more to do with midfield and attack compared to defence. Also, how many goals have we conceded since Arteta took over? Our attack is really blunt, none of our player is in double digits aside auba in goals... Isn't this worrying? Assists nko? Worst is midfield...only one goal among all midfielders. Isn't this worrying?

Yesterday, it was all possession without actual breaking of lines. No individual creativity from the attack.
Not that we shouldn't change our defence, but midfield and attack first and you'll see the world of difference it'll make.

Some fans still believe the attack is as good as MFS and as great as MSN the earlier we realise this PAL is really shit the earlier we start tackling our problems...

Jodera:
I humbly disagree with this. Check out during our Emery back days, we concede a lot, not because our defence is that bad, but because our midfield is so so bad. Our Midfield doesn't stop the opposition attack before it gets to defence and that's why we're receiving 10+ shots a game. Point is, any team that concedes 10+ shot on target has more to do with midfield and attack compared to defence. Also, how many goals have we conceded since Arteta took over? Our attack is really blunt, none of our player is in double digits aside auba in goals... Isn't this worrying? Assists nko? Worst is midfield...only one goal among all midfielders. Isn't this worrying?

Yesterday, it was all possession without actual breaking of lines. No individual creativity from the attack.
Not that we shouldn't change our defence, but midfield and attack first and you'll see the world of difference it'll make.

Let Saka get injury and let me see how Arsenal will score 2 in a game.
When you parade attackers who are scared and poor with the ball. After series of countless possessions upfront, then gbam opposition give our defenders constant pressure and they'll later capitulate.

We only look like a proper attacking team when facing teams like Norwich that gives us much space to operate.

Akinbahm:


Some fans still believe the attack is as good as MFS and as great as MSN the earlier we realise this PAL is really shit the earlier we start tackling our problems...

That's it bro.. The earlier we know PAL can't take us anywhere yet the better

Football funny sha, the scummies will feel the Arsenal pain tonight
They were heading to 3rd only to be back to Europa spot

Fkhalifa:
Football funny sha, the scummies will feel the Arsenal pain tonight
They were heading to 3rd only to be back to Europa spot

The way the thing dey sweet my belle ehn.

Fkhalifa:

Let Saka get injury and let me see how Arsenal will score 2 in a game.
When you parade attackers who are scared and poor with the ball. After series of countless possessions upfront, then gbam opposition give our defenders constant pressure and they'll later capitulate.

We only look like a proper attacking team when facing teams like Norwich that gives us much space to operate.

I don't want to think of saka going to injury. To see how our attack was, we were dependent on auba(which isn't bad tho since he's experienced), then we, at a certain was depending on martinelli(our so called nobodyhinho then), now we're depending on saka for creativity. Now It got me pondering, what if saka wasn't this creative this season or martinelli didn't turn up then... How would we have coped?

Jodera:
while you have facts that when pep came to city, he changed the entire backline. While that is true, that is not the way you painted it. Firstly, they've one of the strongest attack in the league with sterling and aguero. He added sane(attack complete). Midfield is already sorted before he came... Who's better than Silva kdb or fernandinho?. Lol, so why should he buy in midfield? And that's why he have to change the defence back line. Or you think if it wasn't sorted(midfield and attack) he would have gone for defence?

Talking about Liverpool, klopp only bought van dijk and Allison wen midfield and attack is sorted. Aside firmino, salah and mane arrived before van dijk (so attack is complete), midfield he bought wijnaldum before van dijk. So midfield was set, before he got van dijk. All these proved my point, midfield and attack are firstly important as long as defence is manageable. Ours is manageable, but attack is insipid and midfield is worse. Where will the goals and assist come from. Why won't opposition have a go at our defence wen they know we can't bite?

In theory we have a good front three. Midfield lacks creativity I agree. But who are the creative players in Liverpool midfield?

When Pep bought Sane, he was but a good prospect not a star player.
Pep bought Nolito but he flopped.

Since we have limited budget, I would say we focus more on defense.

Even Klopp bought Matip his first season.

kokaneprodigy:

The way the thing dey sweet my belle ehn.

The pain must be very sifia for them. Lana1 go dey purge by now

Jodera:
I don't want to think of saka going to injury. To see how our attack was, we were dependent on auba(which isn't bad tho since he's experienced), then we, at a certain was depending on martinelli(our so called nobodyhinho then), now we're depending on saka for creativity. Now It got me pondering, what if saka wasn't this creative this season or martinelli didn't turn up then... How would we have coped?

We'll stress to score 1 goal a match.

Fkhalifa:

The pain must be very sifia for them. Lana1 go dey purge by now

The timing of the equaliser was the sweetest for me.

vicenzo:


In theory we have a good front three. Midfield lacks creativity I agree. But who are the creative players in Liverpool midfield?

When Pep bought Sane, he was but a good prospect not a star player.
Pep bought Nolito but he flopped.

Since we have limited budget, I would say we focus more on defense.

Even Klopp bought Matip his first season.

I think this settles it. Theoretically (on paper), they're like MSN. On the pitch and with their attributes, you sef know.

Pep bought sane not as a prospect. He was bought for £37m while nolito(a striker) was bought for £14m. So we know who's a backup and who's a starter.

Liverpool creative players are their attacks MSF and fullbacks. That's 5 altogether.
We who's our own creative players? I guess only saka. Just one, only one.
You reason it na

Fkhalifa:

We'll stress to score 1 goal a match.

lol

Jodera:
Of course the primary goals of defence is to stifle attack. But attack doesn't just appear in front of defence, it passes through the midfield. There's a saying that the first Line of defence is attack. Once a midfield is completely overrun, there's little the defence can do. Yes our defence is comical and we can never use that kinda defence to carry league, but even our attack and midfield is 5th or 6th it can lead us to.

At the bolded you mentioned, most of the matches are both equalisers, except that of Brighton and Tottenham. What does that tell you, that we're scoring only one goal. Does that tell you the kinda attack we have?. See Leicester for example, we spurned so many chances to make it two that the vardy goal in the 80+ min now seems significant. And that's my point. Not every game I expect us to be scoring 2-3 goals, but any team that wants to rely on a goal lead to win games won't go far, except if you've world class defenders in your team.

I respect your view about our defence, but I want you to look deeply into our attack and see our average goals per match and the goal scorers especially in that attack. Exclude auba goals and let's see where our attack and midfield goals would lead us.

The fact that we can not rely on our defenders to see off a lead except we score 2-3 goals is all the evidence I need to see that department as a priority. We have seen games where we have scored 2-3 goals and still drew/ lost the game but we are finding ways to blame the midfield and attack.

What is the one constant thing from Wenger (end of the era), Ebening, Ljunberb and now Arteta? What is the one thing that each of these coaches have struggled with? I need you to answer this question as that would determine my future responses.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/guardiola-ferguson-mourinho-wenger-combined-140609417.html

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15205/12027659/merson-says-pep-jose-wenger-fergie-whoever-is-arsenal-boss-youre-in-trouble-if-you-cant-pass-five-yards

This is P. Merson's thoughts, abeg, make una take some time to read either, same story, just different websites.

You don't need a soothsayer to tell you what the problem is with Arsenal.

Roland17:


The fact that we can not rely on our defenders to see off a lead except we score 2-3 goals is all the evidence I need to see that department as a priority. We have seen games where we have scored 2-3 goals and still drew/ lost the game but we are finding ways to blame the midfield and attack.

What is the one constant thing from Wenger (end of the era), Ebening, Ljunberb and now Arteta? What is the one thing that each of these coaches have struggled with? I need you to answer this question as that would determine my future responses.

It's defence.
But wenger latter years bad defence with good midfield always yielded 3rd/4th then.
And that's my point, a great midfield and attack will give you top4 certainly but can't give you the league. Let's build on that then we can think of bolstering our defence

Jodera:
It's defence.
But wenger latter years bad defence with good midfield always yielded 3rd/4th then.
And that's my point, a great midfield and attack will give you top4 certainly but can't give you the league. Let's build on that then we can think of bolstering our defence

Thank you for being honest, I rest my case!

Roland17:


Thank you for being honest, I rest my case!

Wailing wailer

.

Jodera:
lol

Abi, If front3 of PAL of almost £200M, can't finish teams off, only to stressfully score1 and expect the average defence to be keeping clean sheet every game.
I can't wait to get the Upamencani and Koloibally, let's see what English football looks like on them.

Roland17:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/guardiola-ferguson-mourinho-wenger-combined-140609417.html

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15205/12027659/merson-says-pep-jose-wenger-fergie-whoever-is-arsenal-boss-youre-in-trouble-if-you-cant-pass-five-yards

This is P. Merson's thoughts, abeg, make una take some time to read either, same story, just different websites.

You don't need a soothsayer to tell you what the problem is with Arsenal.

Bro, I really your commend your effort towards the progress of this thread nd Arsenal at large.

In as much everyone has right to his opinion I believed everyone here knows that Arsenal defence is shit compare to Champions team defence but we shouldn't take the fact away that this defence is a little bit average not that bad as pundits nd media painted it...

What I believed Jodera, Fkhalifa nd co is saying is that the board wont support Arteta the way they suppose to do which shows that we must be smart with our buying and/or selling this coming TW.

Sorting out the DM should be prioritize and our attackers they are 3 blunt bro if not for SaKa and partly Auba do you think we re still going to be in 9th position currently bro I'm telling u we gonna be around 12th or 13th that shows we lack creativity upfront nd no defence at the midfield...

Taking Valdez (Barca ex stopper) as a case study do you know the attack and the defense covered a lot for him, anytime opposition face Valdez it equal to goals which every Barcelona fans could attest to.

Man city people hails self their defense is worst if u ask me but it looks solid because their attackers have done their job diligently upfront. If sterling hold the ball he knows what next if KDB or Aguero is with the ball he knows what to do without turning around at the same point like turning stick use in turning eba at buka, is it the same for Arsenal capital NO that's where our problem lies...

In summary let's sort out our the defensive midfield role nd Attackers first b4 getting back to defense.

Akinbahm:


Bro, I really your commend your effort towards the progress of this thread nd Arsenal at large.

In as much everyone has right to his opinion I believed everyone here knows that Arsenal defence is shit compare to Champions team defence but we shouldn't take the fact away that this defence is a little bit average not that bad as pundits nd media painted it...

What I believed Jodera, Fkhalifa nd co is saying is that the board wont support Arteta the way they suppose to do which shows that we must be smart with our buying and/or selling this coming TW.

Sorting out the DM should be prioritize and our attackers they are 3 blunt bro if not for SaKa and partly Auba do you think we re still going to be in 9th position currently bro I'm telling u we gonna be around 12th or 13th that shows we lack creativity upfront nd no defence at the midfield...

Taking Valdez (Barca ex stopper) as a case study do you know the attack and the defense covered a lot for him, anytime opposition face Valdez it equal to goals which every Barcelona fans could attest to.

Man city people hails self their defense is worst if u ask me but it looks solid because their attackers have done their job diligently upfront. If sterling hold the ball he knows what next if KDB or Aguero is with the ball he knows what to do without turning around at the same point like turning stick use in turning eba at buka, is it the same for Arsenal capital NO that's where our problem lies...

In summary let's sort out our the defensive midfield role nd Attackers first b4 getting back to defense.

Firstly, thank you for the kind words, I am humbled. I am happy to see new handles come through, hopefully, everyone stays because I enjoy the variety of opinions. Shout out to @Spy360 and other handles that have stuck it through thick and thin over the last decade and counting. Please no one should construe this paragraph to mean the level of fandom for every fan on this thread.

Below are excerpts from Arteta, the head coach/ Manager of Arsenal on Saturday, not P. Merson or anyone else trying to exaggerate, the head coach.

“If you want to be successful and you want to win every three days, you have to be very consistent in all the defensive work that you do.

“The more clean sheets you get, the easier it is to win football matches.”
https://www.goal.com/en/news/arteta-address-arsenal-defensive-issues-winning-culture/q1bh51yyimsk1t3peul4v141w

I think we need to be careful with how we compare Arsenal to Liverpool and City or even Manchester United/ Chelsea, Barcelona is a huge stretch. and this is because we are no longer able to compete financially like those teams. That invariably means the path to growth is going to be different.

Trust me, I understand Jodera and Fkhalifa's point of view, my issue is they have chosen to burden the cross of our despicable showings at the back on our midfielders and attackers instead of the clowns we parade weekly at the back. For instance, according to stats, we are currently ranked 7th in goals scored, do you want to know where we rank in goals conceded worth more loses/ draws from winning positions? If we had a stable defense do you think we could have converted some of those losses into draws or wins?

My compromise will be to clear out the agbaya's in clown clothing and transition to the young defenders without buying defenders and then buy forward players that you are all clamoring for. What I refuse to agree to is combining those clowns with the best players upfront will resolve our defensive woes.

Finally, I have watched football for too long, especially Arsenal to know that a good attack wins games but a potent defense wins titles and keeps you competitive.

Jodera:
Of course the primary goals of defence is to stifle attack. But attack doesn't just appear in front of defence, it passes through the midfield. There's a saying that the first Line of defence is attack. Once a midfield is completely overrun, there's little the defence can do. Yes our defence is comical and we can never use that kinda defence to carry league, but even our attack and midfield is 5th or 6th it can lead us to.

At the bolded you mentioned, most of the matches are both equalisers, except that of Brighton and Tottenham. What does that tell you, that we're scoring only one goal. Does that tell you the kinda attack we have?. See Leicester for example, we spurned so many chances to make it two that the vardy goal in the 80+ min now seems significant. And that's my point. Not every game I expect us to be scoring 2-3 goals, but any team that wants to rely on a goal lead to win games won't go far, except if you've world class defenders in your team.

I respect your view about our defence, but I want you to look deeply into our attack and see our average goals per match and the goal scorers especially in that attack. Exclude auba goals and let's see where our attack and midfield goals would lead us.

Take a look at the league table before posting. It's true that we could do better with midfield and attack, but the priority without a doubt is the defense.

Taking the recent game as case study, one could easily see that our defense undermines the efforts of both midfield and attack and wears them down psychologically. With a good defense, teams like Athletico are where they are. You must make it difficult for teams to score against you first. You don't lose games by not scoring, you lose by conceding goals. And when those goals are majorly due to individual errors, it's not even the manager to blame but the players. Have you not heard of 1-0 to the Arsenal?