by Bulldog Drummond
Since the run of unbeaten games ended at Southampton on 16 December Arsenal have played 14 games. Seven have been lost, six have been won and just one has been a draw.
| Date | Game | Res | Score | Competition |
| 16 Dec 2018 | Southampton v Arsenal | L | 3-2 | Premier League |
| 19 Dec 2018 | Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 0-2 | League Cup |
| 22 Dec 2018 | Arsenal v Burnley | W | 3-1 | Premier League |
| 26 Dec 2018 | Brighton and Hove v Arsenal | D | 1-1 | Premier League |
| 29 Dec 2018 | Liverpool v Arsenal | L | 5-1 | Premier League |
| 01 Jan 2019 | Arsenal v Fulham | W | 4-1 | Premier League |
| 05 Jan 2019 | Blackpool v Arsenal | W | 0-3 | FA Cup |
| 12 Jan 2019 | West Ham United v Arsenal | L | 1-0 | Premier League |
| 19 Jan 2019 | Arsenal v Chelsea | W | 2-0 | Premier League |
| 25 Jan 2019 | Arsenal v Manchester United | L | 1-3 | FA Cup |
| 29 Jan 2019 | Arsenal v Cardiff City | W | 2-1 | Premier League |
| 03 Feb 2019 | Manchester City v Arsenal | L | 3-1 | Premier League |
| 09 Feb 2019 | Huddersfield Town v Arsenal | W | 1-2 | Premier League |
| 14 Feb 2019 | FC BATE Borisov v Arsenal | L | 1-0 | Europa League |
If this had been our league record in the opening 14 games of the season we would have been seventh in the league at this point.
However we should also note that only two of the defeats have been at home, which suggests we really don’t have too much to worry about in this game – although as we have mentioned before the terrible away form of last season continues.
And given that we are out of the league cup, FA cup and the championship race, this is our chance of winning something, so there is every need to put out the strongest team we can on Thursday.
Fortunately home is where our strength is. We’re not as good as the leading two clubs in the PL, that is true, but ahead of the rest of the pack when it comes to home form…
Home matches only…
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 49 | 11 | 38 | 39 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 7 | 28 | 35 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 13 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 32 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 26 | 9 | 17 | 28 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 27 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 16 | 9 | 25 |
On this basis we should not have too much of a problem against BATE. Here are their most recent away games…
| Date | Competition | Home team | Score | Away team |
| 21/11/18 | League | Shakhtyor | 3 – 0 | BATE |
| 02/12/18 | League | Torpedo BelAZ | 2 – 2 | BATE |
| 13/12/18 | Europa | PAOK | 1 – 3 | BATE |
| 03/02/19 | Friendly | Wolfsberger AC | 2 – 1 | BATE |
| 21/02/19 | Europa | Arsenal | 17 : 55 | BATE |
Yes they clearly can win away, but they can also concede. And besides BATE is certainly the sort of team we should be beating easily.
In terms of the team, the one certainty is that Lacazette cannot play having had a red card. Beyond that it is a set of guesses, but because of the loss last week it would seem unlikely that any youngsters will be played – which is a great shame. They need games to be encouraged and to allow them to develop. Otherwise they too will start running their contracts down in order to go to a club where they will get games.
As for the score – the Standard has come out and predicted a 3-0 win to the Arsenal. Certainly if we can score early on that will mean that they have to come out and attack, which should give us more opportunity.
The one thing we obviously must not let them do is score, as an away goal will mean we have to get three, and that will then be against an 11 man defence. where sheer weight of numbers and an added frustration on Arsenal’s part will mean it could start to get rather tricky.
And what of the media. Well, the Daily Mirror has an article on line in which it quotes as its source Football London, which it owns. The quote, which is in fact the entire essence of the article, tells us that “It is suggested the smiles had been replaced by a look of frustration in the Borisov Arena. Fahmy is said to have shook his head in disbelief while Vekatesham sat slumped in his chair.”
Well! What on earth did the executives at the Mirror who publish this sort of tosh think? That the board members would be smiling? Now that would have been a story.
If we don’t beat BATE and qualify for the next round, then the whole lot – players, coaches, and all – should be bundled out of the Emirates. Seriously!
Season 2016 – 17
Europa League round of 32
Pochettino’s Spurs were knocked out by Gent (ranked 49)
Bate are ranked 54
Pochettino was in his 3rd season.
In Pochettino’s first season Spurs finished 5th, 23 points behind champions Chelsea.
In Emery’s first season Arsenal currently sit in 5th, 15 points behind joint leaders Man City and Liverpool.
Good job you’re not in charge at Spurs or Poch would be long gone.
If we lose we lose. I wont be happy but for pity’s sake give the man a chance.
Bulldog-
I’m usually an adherent to the motto on the Masthead, but with the Europa League the only remaining chance to win anything, and Emery’s supposed expertise in the competition on the line, it will be hard to continue. I’m neither an alarmist nor a ‘what have you done for me lately’ supporter. The Board and club executives are a bumbling mess. Football decisions made by contracts men. Real talent leaving or in the stands. Every week a different side, different tactics, formations. The EPL shouldn’t be ones’ training ground. 2 scorers, at most 2 defenders and nothing in between. No link up, no creativity, no Ozil, no Ramsay (gone on a free for fuck’s sake!), no coherent strategy. I understand a manger has to settle in, get his own players, etc. but this is unacceptable. Pundits and supporters alike have been critising Emery for a lack of defensive nous. But where’s the attack? Oh, I forgot, we have Dennis Suarez, all is well. I remember when Emery joined he said he’d ‘rather win 5-4 than 2-1’. 5 goals? Maybe in the Europa League (but not last week’s embarrassment). We couldn’t put 5 past Huddersfield if they played a man down. The whole lot seems mid-table to me. Andrew has the right idea, follow the women and under 23’s; at least they’re competitive.
I truly believe that we will progress further. Just needs us to play as a proper unit.
Brickfields –
Progress further in the Europa League or as a Club? If they play as a proper unit they may get past BATE. Beyond that I’m not sure. As I posted, mid-table, top six, maybe pip Chelsea for 5th.
In many ways, strikers, Torreira, Sokratis, the club has more talent than Wenger did in his later years as manager. He had to make do with less than the oil clubs and darlings (MU, ‘Pool)and he did. Top 4 until the last 2 seasons. I’ll give Emery a chance but he’s tactics and selection.
Might biggest fear re the Club is Kroenke Sports. They’re not football people (not proper football) and they don’t spend big with their US sports clubs – a football team (they were in the recent Super Bowl (tho Arsenal won’t see any money), baseball team, hockey, basketball, soccer club, even a professional LaCrosse team FFS. AFC is not top priority. Under his stewardship, or lack thereof, management has become a laughing stock. And a poke with a sharp stick to the AAA – imagine the last 10 or 12 seasons without Arsene Wenger and just the current lot making all the decisions. I’d rather not.
@ goonersince72 – 19/02/2019 at 5:49 pm – I like to think both.
I have no complaints with the players that we have at present , but I suppose like most , am wondering why they are not gelling well , and not playing to the level that they are potentially capable of.
Am looking for that spark that will re-ignite our season , and bring back the smiles to our faces.