Mails: We’re Arsenal and we’re excited…

Mails: We’re Arsenal and we’re excited…

If you have anything to say on any subject, mail us at theeditor@football365.com

The reincarnation of Theo Van Nasregas
During the 2010/2011 season Arsenal was challenging for the title until that fateful day against Birmingham where we redefined peak Arsenal, and we crumbled. The main spearhead of that title challenge was our swashbuckling interchangeable front line of Theo Walcott, Van Persie, Nasri and Fabregas. You get the sense that Wenger has wanted to recreate the fearsome foursome and has failed until now.

With the possible exception of Iwobi vs Nasri, in many ways the new iteration of the fearsome foursome – Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil is an improvement on the previous one.

Like most Arsenal fans I’m trying to enjoy this ride, ignore all the evidence in the last decade of Arsenal Arsenaling and hope that even though this iteration doesn’t lend itself to a pithy name, it will be the one that finally lands Arsenal the league trophy after a decade of almost and not quite.
Naz, Nigeria

All you need to know about Arsenal
A few quick thoughts on Arsenal’s win:

* I love Alexis
* Their keeper was rubbish
* Their high line was suicidal
* From the other end of the pitch, Ospina’s save in the first half where he dived at the feet of a Ludogorets attacker looked brilliant. On seeing the replay, the mailbox submission from last week about keepers just needing to be brave to get hit in the face came to mind. I’m not convinced his face-save had much to do with bravery.
* If it’s possible to moan about a 6-0 win, I’m a little concerned by the lack of rest for Bellerin, Alexis, Cazorla and Koscielny.
* I love Alexis lots
* Today, someone brought their dog into the hospital I work in and it was amazing
Rich (Take home: I love Alexis and dogs), AFC, London

Warning: Man on fire
It seems Ozil is fed up with laying chances on a platter for his profligate teammates and just smashing them in himself.
H, (get that man a BBQ)

Mustafhim
Arsenal look like an entirely different beast this season. And at this early stage, possibly along with Spurs, look the best suited for a successful season. Why all of a sudden?

Well firstly they weren’t a million miles off last year. Injuries to Cazorla and Sanchez in November derailed the season entirely. This year, touch wood, there haven’t been the same issues. Secondly, Skrodan Mustafi. Now he’s not the world’s best centre-half no one would claim that, but my God what a difference it has made having TWO international class centre-halves able to form a partnership. It’s a complete game changer.

I have a Spurs friend who told me in the summer that he’s a massive waste of £35m. He’s rubbish in the air and cannot pass. Well either he was making it up, or Wenger has suddenly learnt how to coach defenders (which in fairness is harsh given these players: Kolo, Koscielny, Lauren, Bellerin, Cole). He has bought stability to the team which has been lacking for so long. His anticipation and aerial ability are up there with the best, and has pushed Koscielny on to another level, possibly to that of best defender in Europe.

Add that to Theo’s bizarre transformation and Sanchez learning the number 9 role quicker than how I learnt to download ‘research’ on the internet in 1998, and is there any reason why Arsenal can’t win the league?

Many will say ‘injuries’. Well yes, but that’s a pretty obtuse argument. I’d say that the squad has plenty of depth now. And where Arteta, Flamini and Joel Campbell were last season’s replacements, we now have Elneny, Xhaka and Wellbeck (soon).

North London 1-2 anyone?
Brad Smith

Fun times to be an Arsenal fan
Just back from the Emirates following an enjoyable evening, and read Matt Stead’s article with interest. I find myself agreeing with much of it, although I’m a bit more wary about making too many predictions right now.

As well as the moves Matt outlines that have been made, it’s also worth noting that this is still a squad missing Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker through injury. You might argue that some/all of those names may not necessarily set the world on fire, but (at the very least) they are all experienced players that add to the depth of squad you mention.

In terms of those playing tonight, not much more needs to be said about the current form of the attack. Just superb. For those that came in, Oxlade-Chamberlain looked better than he has done in recent months, Coquelin was buzzing all over the place (and a close contender for man of the match for me) and Lucas looked lively in his little cameo at the end.

Obviously, we should have a note of caution about reading too much into things. Ludogrets came with about the most ‘Arsenal friendly’ tactics possible, being of an attacking mindset and a shaky defence. On another day, their enterprise probably could have brought them a couple of goals. Equally, the last two league performances have not been entirely convincing throughout (though, crucially, the team has still been finding a way to win).

But still, seven wins on the bounce, no defeats since the opening day and a 6-0 win at home tonight. If you can’t be happy about all that as an Arsenal fan, football probably isn’t the sport for you.
Ian, AFC

Pep could do with a little Jose pragmatism
Jose Mourinho is often criticised for being too negative, parking the bus, not trusting the talented players at his disposal etc. But watching Barcelona trounce Man City yesterday, I thought that sometimes you have to admire Jose’s modesty in acknowledging that some teams are just plain better than his and he sets his team up for damage limitation.

It was not as if Barcelona played Man City off the park but that Pep’s selection and tactics played right into Barcelona’s hand. A midfield containing just one tackler (Fernandinho) against three pass masters, really Pep? Your ten men are one nil down and you still insist on playing out from the back (see goals 2 and 3), really Pep? I’ll leave the Claudio Bravo debacle for the English media to devour; they have been waiting for this opportunity.

But sometimes during the game, it really was hilarious to see Bravo play himself into trouble while ter Stegen was happily launching balls up the field. You really need to mix it up Pep. And it’s not as if he had no prior warning. The Celtic and Tottenham games should have alerted him to the chink in his tactical armor.

It is also interesting to note that this is the second time a Pep team has been on the receiving end of a trouncing at Camp Nou. Add the 4-0 inflicted by Madrid in 2014 and Pep being outfoxed by Diego Simeone last season, then you realize that maybe Pep and Jose needs to sit down and exchange ideas. I did write in a past mail that they would make a perfect managerial combo.
Franklin (wondering who is laughing harder – Jose or Hart), CFC, Lagos

Man City: Flat-track bullies
I wrote in a month or so back (and got published – smart selection by the editor there!) suggesting that all those prematurely crowning City as champions need to take a look at the fixtures they’d had. At that point they were five from five, having beaten the bottom four teams in the table and United at Old Trafford. I used the phrase ‘flat track bullies’, and got some stick for it in following mailboxes. You can only beat what’s in front of you, they said. Five wins from five games, can’t do better than that, they said.

So how about now? Celtic, Spurs, Everton and Barcelona, four games, two draws, two losses. Is that the work of Champions In Waiting? Dominated against Everton, yes, but, were lucky not to lose by more against both Spurs and Barcelona. Yes, prior to these fixtures they did beat Swansea, but, where do Swansea currently sit on the table? So, ladies and gentlemen of the mailbox jury, I suggest to you that on the evidence of the season to date, Pep and City are guilty as charged of being nothing more than flat track bullies. While there is unquestioned potential for them to be far more than just FT’s, that is what they should currently be regarded as, until they prove that they are not. Though it would surely be no surprise to m’learned colleagues if Southampton should pile further evidence of FTB-ism on to City’s plate this weekend.
Colin (the All Blacks are just flat track bullies too!…) NZ

City are in it for the long haul
Hands up, firstly, Bravo needs to put his laces and everything else through that ball. No doubt. It was a crazy decision. What it does clearly show is the level to which Pep is in this guy’s head.

On the glass half full side, I have huge respect for Pep for taking his side, very much in its infancy, and not abandoning his principles. He’ll take lots of flak for it and they’re on a bad run. But he’s instilling a system, a belief in his players and he’s gone and shown that them it doesn’t matter whether they play the best team in the world or the worst in FL92, he will always expect a slick passing win. His attempts to control all aspects of the game are fascinating. And, yes, he failed tonight. But based on the fact that Citeh are clearly a better team than last season already, I would argue it’s a case of short-term losses (hammering) for long-term gains (you can’t win anything in October etc…)
Royston (I hate Citeh and everything they stand for, Pep though, well…) Queen

Bravo not the man under pressure
It was interesting watching Pep’s A team play his B team, but it did raise a couple of questions.

Firstly, playing out from the back is great, and I enjoy watching Stones slalom out of defence with the ball as much as anyone; however, if there is a full press…is inviting the pressure with tikka takka passing around the back the smartest move. In American Football, a ‘blitz’ on the quarterback (everyone charging at him) is the equivalent of a full press. The quarterback escapes this, not by dancing around, but by releasing early (and often long) to the areas where there are now no defenders. Wouldn’t Man City have been better served against Celtic, Spurs, and now Barca by trying to hit Sterling/Nolito/etc. early to create a potential overload on the counter?

This leads me neatly to Bravo. I understand the role and the need, but having watched him in depth, Bravo has neither the foot skills nor the coolness under pressure to perform the role he’s being asked to perform (possibly as you’d expect from a 33-year-old second-string goalie). To paraphrase Jose about you know who…any idiot can get a 90%+ completion rate (or hit a 40 yd pass) if they’re not under pressure. It would be interesting to see what his completion stats were like in the second half vs ManU and in the aforementioned games – maybe there should be a stat for successful passes under pressure ?
Matthew (ITFC)

The mixed emotions of a Man City fan
Aaaah, the annual loss to Barcelona. I’ll be able to set my watch to it soon.

It was looking okay, not much going forward but restricting them for a while. People were scratching their heads as to why Aguero didn’t start, but I think it was to have more in midfield when we didn’t have the ball with the idea of bringing him on towards the end to hopefully nick something if we had managed to keep it 0-0.

Then Fernandinho slipped and gave Messi a goal.

Not great but we still were in the game. Then Bravo happened and that was that. It became a case of how many.

A lot was said on social media last night but I think there is an element of truth in the memes and comments along the lines of
‘Somewhere in Torino Joe Hart is laughing his balls off’ and ‘Play it out from the back he said’ (accompanied by a pic of a grinning Joe Hart).

Sometimes you need to just get rid of it, not try and be clever. Especially at home to one of the best teams in the world.

Barcelona weren’t that good but still won 4-0, should have been five but for our Willy.

Neymar’s goal was lovely, Messi and Suarez get most of the limelight, but when he is in the mood Neymar is pure class.

The most outstanding thing of all I think about Barcelona is the anticipation. They all pretty much know where to stand or run to whenever a pass is played.

Quite a few times we had the ball and ended up losing as a player didn’t anticipate the pass being played or the passer not spotting the run.

Barcelona just seem to know nearly every time.

Mixed emotions today, we did okay but then a massive cock-up happened and we got battered.

Lets hope for no silly errors at the Etihad for the next game.
Danny B, MCFC

What was more ridiculous?
– Us dominating possession at Camp Nou in the first half?
– Pep’s failure to bring on Aguero until it was too late?
– Barca’s wastefulness in possession?
– Bravo’s stupid sending-off?
– How we were still creating chances with 10 men?
– Mattheu’s stupid sending off?
– The simplest hat-trick Messi will ever score?
– How long it has been since I have seen a penalty going in at a City match?
– How many defenders were made of glass?
– How this match was on BT’s freeview channel in the first place?

Actually scrap all that. The most ridiculous thing was how I survived 90 mins listening to Macca’s voice without putting my foot through the tv. His best line was “City have nothing to be scared of against Barcelona in a couple of weeks”. Apparently, our penchant for gifting three of the best four players in the world the ball whilst under no pressure should put Pep in a buoyant mood ahead of the return match.
Nic (Sterling was very impressive though), Lancaster

What about defending, Pep?
I look forward to your ‘John Stones: the ridiculous’ stats piece tomorrow.

In all seriousness though (even when considering they were playing Barcelona away), there has to be question marks about Pep’s ‘philosophy’ when it comes to defending. One clean sheet so far in the Premier League, and one to date in the Champions League proper (both in 4-0 victories incidentally) doesn’t exactly scream of a side as formidable as the hullaballoo that surrounded them after the bright start suggested. Managers with renowned defensive acumen like Poch, Jose, Koeman and Conte will certainly be confident of hauling them in the long run.
Brian (Bravo is the new calamitious ‘big club’ keeper), Wexford

On those manager hand gestures…
I was watching the City game and couldn’t help but notice how extravagant and flamboyant the hand gestures from both mangers were when they were screaming instructions from the touchline.

How on earth do the players understand what is being asked of them when the manager is holding two fingers up on each hand and crossing them over wildly before signing an imaginary S during a hip wiggle?
Richard, Brighton (P.S. How many Messi/Messy puns will there be today?)

Celtic are happy to be back
I know Celtic aren’t fashionable on Football365, and fair enough, sometimes watching Scottish football can be like watching two pigeons fighting over a discarded cheeseburger, and I know you guys like to poke fun at Brendan Rodgers, but as a Celtic supporter, it’s great to have European nights back at Celtic Park again.

We’re a side who for the most part has been pieced together pre-season and asked to qualify for Europe with a few of the players having never kicked a ball for the club previously, a side that hasn’t really had the investment that other European clubs competing in the Champions League have had and, let’s face it, we’re a side that plays in a poor league (a league that has great potential, but that’s another story).

Losing badly to Barca, drawing with City and losing tonight to Monchengladbach isn’t ideal for a club who have put plenty of sides (not least, Barcelona) to the sword in Europe, but the occasion, the packed stadium, the songs and the football under the lights at Celtic park is an experience worth trading your children for. (Don’t have kids…not sure how cool parents would be with this).

We know we’re the underdogs, we know Scottish football isn’t as hyped as #RedMonday, but you know what? It’s just good to be playing on Wednesday nights at 7.45pm again. (And not in the Petrofac cup)

Hopefully Barcelona visit the burger van outside Celtic park 48hrs before our next game. Should wipe a few of them out temporarily. What a side.
Steve (Do pigeons even eat cheeseburgers?) Boylan

Up the Villa…the Apocalypse is coming…
In the midst of this week’s Premier League and Champions League kerfuffle, an event of colossal proportions has occurred which has gone almost entirely under the radar in terms of F365 chatter (as far as I’ve noticed – I’m not the most perceptive so there we go), and I feel that it deserves some recognition. Not even Nostradamus predicted this and at some point over the coming days I’m expecting to hear of the Four Harbingers of the Apocalypse riding into Birmingham to signal the end of days.

Aston Villa won an away game. I’ll write that again as I’m sure that most of you, just like I did when I first saw it, automatically dismissed it as pure fantasy! Aston Villa, once of the Premier League, the Brummie claret and blue army, WON an AWAY football match. Just let that sink in. Their first away win in 437 days. That is bat s**t mental! Stevie Bruce looks to have worked wonders already.

I have a close mate who is a loyal (you’d have to be) Villain so I felt compelled to provide some recognition of this marvellous feat! Whilst I hold no allegiance to Villa myself, as far as I’m concerned the Premier League just doesn’t feel quite right without their presence. It’s a bit like Thunderbirds without Parker.

Up the Villa, promotion here you come!
Al Williams

Dembele up
Still chuckling at the ‘Dembele of the Week’ part in Matt Stead’s football weekly awards. Holy s**t that was good writing.
Greg Tric, Nairobi