Just watched the highlights from last night. Yet again, all three goals

Come directly from our possession in our own half. Idiotic.

At some point we are going to have to acknowledge that Xhaka is ****ing useless and move on. I know he cost a lot of money but god almighty he really is ****. :(

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Originally Posted by Peter

Come directly from our possession in our own half. Idiotic.

At some point we are going to have to acknowledge that Xhaka is ****ing useless and move on. I know he cost a lot of money but god almighty he really is ****. :(

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He's not ****, just lazier than me

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Originally Posted by PSRB

He's not ****, just lazier than me

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Either way, he shouldn't be anywhere near that team at the moment. He doesnt seem to have a clue what he is doing.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Either way, he shouldn't be anywhere near that team at the moment. He doesnt seem to have a clue what he is doing.

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I've backed him previously and still think there is a genuinely talented player in there, but I can't argue with you on that. Not even fouling people anymore

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Originally Posted by Peter

Come directly from our possession in our own half. Idiotic.

At some point we are going to have to acknowledge that Xhaka is ****ing useless and move on. I know he cost a lot of money but god almighty he really is ****. :(

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Not quite true. He has isolated moments where he doesn't track his man, but he's generally positionally sound and his numbers are largely excellent. The problem is the optics when he doesn't track his man are absolutely terrible and are inevitably picked up on by simple chaps like yourself.

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

I've backed him previously and still think there is a genuinely talented player in there, but I can't argue with you on that. Not even fouling people anymore

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Lets hope he is just horribly low on confidence and is just hiding at the moment (although that itself is a bad trait). We just cant afford a passenger in that part of the pitch.

It still dumbfounds me how slack those midfielders are in covering each other's positions. Its one of the most crucial parts of the job.

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Originally Posted by Monty92

Not quite true. He has isolated moments where he doesn't track his man, but he's generally positionally sound and his numbers are largely excellent. The problem is the optics when he doesn't track his man are absolutely terrible and are inevitably picked up on by simple chaps like yourself.

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No, I don't think you are right at all.

Failed with a late bid for Jonny Evans apparently

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Originally Posted by Peter

Lets hope he is just horribly low on confidence and is just hiding at the moment (although that itself is a bad trait). We just cant afford a passenger in that part of the pitch.

It still dumbfounds me how slack those midfielders are in covering each other's positions. Its one of the most crucial parts of the job.

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Right. But even more important than crucial, I'd say; it is the job.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Right. But even more important than crucial, I'd say; it is the job.

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Not at Arsenal, unfortunately.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Not at Arsenal, unfortunately.

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It's the difference between a lure courser and a live courser; whilst both can run fast, only one of them can actually hunt.

Not very good.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Lets hope he is just horribly low on confidence and is just hiding at the moment (although that itself is a bad trait). We just cant afford a passenger in that part of the pitch.

It still dumbfounds me how slack those midfielders are in covering each other's positions. Its one of the most crucial parts of the job.

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I don't think hiding is quite fair - even after he makes a ricket with a risky pass he never stops demanding the ball (I know you may mean defensively but it doesn't seem a trait of his)

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

I don't think hiding is quite fair - even after he makes a ricket with a risky pass he never stops demanding the ball (I know you may mean defensively but it doesn't seem a trait of his)

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Fair enough. I mean, I am not saying he is the only problem- far from it. In terms of possession we really, really miss Cazorla.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Fair enough. I mean, I am not saying he is the only problem- far from it. In terms of possession we really, really miss Cazorla.

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I’m afraid the only way it will resolve itself is by Wenger dropping one of Xhaka or Ramsey. Wilshere is a must, he’s the only one in the midfield who can receive the ball under pressure or wants the ball under pressure. He gives the midfield needed balance. We’re going to have to keep Elneny in there and play Wilshere with one of the other two.

This is all dependent on what formation Wenger adopts. I think he will keep 4 at the back. If he keeps the 4-3-3 of the last few games it should be Elneny, Wilshere and one other. If he goes back to the old 4-2-3-1 I have no idea who should play with Wilshere. The wildcard would be a diamond in which case I’d play Elneny, Wilshere, Mkhitaryan and Özil.

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Originally Posted by Billy Goat Sverige

I’m afraid the only way it will resolve itself is by Wenger dropping one of Xhaka or Ramsey. Wilshere is a must, he’s the only one in the midfield who can receive the ball under pressure or wants the ball under pressure. He gives the midfield needed balance. We’re going to have to keep Elneny in there and play Wilshere with one of the other two.

This is all dependent on what formation Wenger adopts. I think he will keep 4 at the back. If he keeps the 4-3-3 of the last few games it should be Elneny, Wilshere and one other. If he goes back to the old 4-2-3-1 I have no idea who should play with Wilshere. The wildcard would be a diamond in which case I’d play Elneny, Wilshere, Mkhitaryan and Özil.

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At present., I think Elneny is the only viable option in there, alongside Jack. He does a least hold his position to some extent.

We just cant afford to have Ramsey in that midfield. He doesn't want the ball apart from in the areas of the pitch where we want Ozil to have it. If he has to play it has to be further forward.

Our current midfield options are the worst I can remember us having in years.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Our current midfield options are the worst I can remember us having in years.

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the midfield in (around) 1992-1993 was pretty poor, istr.

Apart from Limpar, of course. Another body shaving deviant :alexis:

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Originally Posted by Peter

At present., I think Elneny is the only viable option in there, alongside Jack. He does a least hold his position to some extent.

We just cant afford to have Ramsey in that midfield. He doesn't want the ball apart from in the areas of the pitch where we want Ozil to have it. If he has to play it has to be further forward.

Our current midfield options are the worst I can remember us having in years.

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As stand alone sentences go this is a nonsense and simply underlines your lack of appreciation of the role.

Both Ramsey and Xhaka are very good footballers, Wilshere is also a very obvious talent and to be fair to the African lad Elneny performs well within a more limited role of doing the basic and simple things and doing them well (itself a very basic job description for a top level midfielder).

Our issue is balance, or the creation of an effective working midfield partnership. Actually fúck the creation of it we need to identify it before we can create it.

Wenger appears to have struggled with this very basic need for years. Arguably his most effective of Cazorla and Coquelin he stumbled over by accident as opposed to his footballing knowledge.

The world appears to have decided this pairing to be Wilshere + 1 though I am unsure if AW feels this way given the manner in which he allowed the lad to fúck off for an entire season as opposed to keeping him and forcing him to try and fight his way into selection.

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Originally Posted by Monty92

Not quite true. He has isolated moments where he doesn't track his man, but he's generally positionally sound and his numbers are largely excellent. The problem is the optics when he doesn't track his man are absolutely terrible and are inevitably picked up on by simple chaps like yourself.

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And he's slow, very slow. Play him with the very average and very sideways Elneny and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

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Originally Posted by SWv2

As stand alone sentences go this is a nonsense and simply underlines your lack of appreciation of the role.

Both Ramsey and Xhaka are very good footballers, Wilshere is also a very obvious talent and to be fair to the African lad Elneny performs well within a more limited role of doing the basic and simple things and doing them well (itself a very basic job description for a top level midfielder).

Our issue is balance, or the creation of an effective working midfield partnership. Actually fúck the creation of it we need to identify it before we can create it.

Wenger appears to have struggled with this very basic need for years. Arguably his most effective of Cazorla and Coquelin he stumbled over by accident as opposed to his footballing knowledge.

The world appears to have decided this pairing to be Wilshere + 1 though I am unsure if AW feels this way given the manner in which he allowed the lad to fúck off for an entire season as opposed to keeping him and forcing him to try and fight his way into selection.

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I think the point is, if your forwards don't score enough goals, it actually makes no difference who plays in the middle of the park. Or indeed anywhere else :-p

Our midfield has NO PACE. For £35 million Xhaka is an absolute bust. Elneny is average. Hopefully the new German scout will do a better job of recognising talent than the previous numpty.

Our standards as fans has slipped considerably if we're making statements like "Xhaka is a very good footballer" because game after game I really don't see him as that at all.

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Originally Posted by Bergkamp Was Best

Our midfield has NO PACE. For £35 million Xhaka is an absolute bust. Elneny is average. Hopefully the new German scout will do a better job of recognising talent than the previous numpty.

Our standards as fans has slipped considerably if we're making statements like "Xhaka is a very good footballer" because game after game I really don't see him as that at all.

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You should probably get another hobby tbh, he is a very good footballer

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

I think the point is, if your forwards don't score enough goals, it actually makes no difference who plays in the middle of the park. Or indeed anywhere else :-p

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Sometimes you make me very angry.

Service from the midfield might help

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Originally Posted by Viva Prat Vegas

Service from the midfield might help

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talking of which, have The Arsenal actually announced that Ozil has signed a new contract?

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Originally Posted by SWv2

Sometimes you make me very angry.

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Wenger knows, SW. Wenger knows.

In fairness, I couldn't write that line with a straight face.

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Originally Posted by IUFG

talking of which, have The Arsenal actually announced that Ozil has signed a new contract?

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:shakehead:

I did notice this yesterday as the Guardian quickly changed their story from signed to "expected to be signed in days".

Think the general consensus is that Ornstein just puts his name to official club memos so done but not done, as such.

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Originally Posted by SWv2

:shakehead:

I did notice this yesterday as the Guardian quickly changed their story from signed to "expected to be signed in days".

Think the general consensus is that Ornstein just puts his name to official club memos so done but not done, as such.

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he's toying with us :cry:

https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/st...53705775583233

I see Debuchy has left us
Gone to St Etienne

Good luck Mattieu :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Viva Prat Vegas

I see Debuchy has left us
Gone to St Etienne

Good luck Mattieu :thumbup:

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Sarah, so lovely.

:love:

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

You should probably get another hobby tbh, he is a very good footballer

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I just say what I see LA, it's evident that Jack Wilshere has more talent than Xhaka and Elneny put together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SWv2

As stand alone sentences go this is a nonsense and simply underlines your lack of appreciation of the role.

Both Ramsey and Xhaka are very good footballers, Wilshere is also a very obvious talent and to be fair to the African lad Elneny performs well within a more limited role of doing the basic and simple things and doing them well (itself a very basic job description for a top level midfielder).

Our issue is balance, or the creation of an effective working midfield partnership. Actually fúck the creation of it we need to identify it before we can create it.

Wenger appears to have struggled with this very basic need for years. Arguably his most effective of Cazorla and Coquelin he stumbled over by accident as opposed to his footballing knowledge.

The world appears to have decided this pairing to be Wilshere + 1 though I am unsure if AW feels this way given the manner in which he allowed the lad to fúck off for an entire season as opposed to keeping him and forcing him to try and fight his way into selection.

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Yes, I have noted your constant repetition of this particular slight. Funny though... you tell me I know nothing and then proceed to write three paragraphs of monotonous **** that says absolutely nothing and displays no understanding.

In short, you are a bluffer.

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Originally Posted by Bergkamp Was Best

I just say what I see LA, it's evident that Jack Wilshere has more talent than Xhaka and Elneny put together.

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He may be a very good footballer but he is a ****ing useless midfielder. Same goes for Ramsey. Absolute liabilities the pair of them.

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Originally Posted by Bergkamp Was Best

I just say what I see LA, it's evident that Jack Wilshere has more talent than Xhaka and Elneny put together.

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Of course my reply was a touch intemperate and your opinion is entirely valid, b. I just really really wanted Xhaka to succeed

Jack is negotiating his new contract. Anyone want to guess how many shirts jack sells via arsenal?

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Of course my reply was a touch intemperate and your opinion is entirely valid, b. I just really really wanted Xhaka to succeed

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Wanted? Are you giving up?

I think we all want him to succeed. He might just be another player who needs more direction from a coach.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Wanted? Are you giving up?

I think we all want him to succeed. He might just be another player who needs more direction from a coach.

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Well not entirely

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Originally Posted by Peter

Yes, I have noted your constant repetition of this particular slight. Funny though... you tell me I know nothing and then proceed to write three paragraphs of monotonous **** that says absolutely nothing and displays no understanding.

In short, you are a bluffer.

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How fúcking rude.

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Originally Posted by SWv2

How fúcking rude.

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I do apologise.

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Well not entirely

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I really do think he needs a break for a little bit. Give elneny a run in the side.

The next month is going to be interesting as we see how Wenger plans to use his new signings. Those two with Ozil and Lacazette leaves us a little lightweight behind them.

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Originally Posted by Peter

I do apologise.

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Quite right too. Daring to question the man's analytical wisdom. How many games have you managed in the Dublin 16 Knocklyon U-10 league eh?