Emery-Ozil Cold War

Well, it's a dreadful situation for Arsenal since the 22 game unbeaten run ended. Huge loss at Anfield exposed our thinning options defensively along with strange decisions in team selection made by Unai Emery; concerning Ozil mainly.

Clearly, the tactical excuse Emery gives out whenever Ozil isn't picked in games or strangely substituted (e.g. Away at Brighton) tells only one thing.

Our head coach doesn't know how to manage the club's biggest player. A deja vu feeling if we time travel to last season in Paris where Neymar. Jr and Emery had similar problems at PSG.

To be honest, Ozil could have left Arsenal last January or before this season for free but he stayed to follow the legacy of his Invincible role models.

However, bad fortunes followed him as Germany crashed out of the WC '18's 1st round. And ironically despite being their best player even statistically, he ended up getting the most stick from pundits and media.

Things got way too intense as he surprisingly retired from international scene, citing discrimination and severe pressure surrounding his controversial pre world cup meeting with Turkish PM Erdogan.

Regardless, his club team-mates stood by him with support and confidence as pre-season approached along with praise from Emery himself which seems to have lost in the latter's words when he has been asked about Ozil lately.

The most important player at Arsenal, one of the five chosen captains by Emery himself, is being sidelined from the starting.line-up. Even Wenger hadn't been that way with Bergkamp in the latter's final season.

It's sad and sounds stupid when Emery defines Ozil's omission from the team as tactical. What tactical reason could it be to keep the player who's created the most chances across the Europe's Top five leagues since July 2006?

It felt very senseless to see Iwobi start ahead of Ozil yesterday even after he was fully fit and trained with full throttle. And to what gain, losing to West Ham whom we defeated comfortably at home.

As if it wasn't enough to let Wilshere leave early for West Ham and now allowing Ramsey to go as well for free, what could possibly be gained from putting down Ozil when Arsenal need him the most?! 

Not having the highest earning playmaker in your starting 11? Board may give Emery a thumping for it though as if Stan would care.

If anything that is to be learned from one season as PSG's boss, Emery should not repeat the same mistakes with the former German play-maker as he did while handling Neymar Jr. More in fact, Ozil is far more humble and has better attitude than the Brazilian star.

So watch out, Emery! Fans may fly out banners really soon if Ozil isn't in the starting line up going forward as United is on our trail and the tactical omission of German is not doing good for anyone.

Broken and Battered Gunners still fighting for Top Slot

Greetings and most sincere apologies for not updating this page for over a month's time due to some unconventional excuse. 

Nonetheless, here's a fresh, just out of the oven post about the Gunner's complete see saw month which saw them crashed down at Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich) and The Hawthorns (West Brom), picking single point results against Spurs in North London derby at home and away at Carrow Road against Norwich and most importantly, losing three of the most important players they have depended upon since last season.

,Cazorla, Sanchez & Coquelin.

The Trio lost to injuries before festive period.

However, Arsenal did pick two crucial wins at home with last week in the UEFA Champions League tie against Dynamo Zagreb and last night against Sunderland in the Premiere League to go second on the table. Positives during this time span were the return of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Walcott and along with the fact that Joel Campbell has started to make his presence felt on the pitch by scoring a goal and an assist in the last three games he has started in two weeks.

The King of Assist is back.

More importantly, a new leader has emerged and is now being seen as the catalyst behind almost every other goal scored by Gunners and he is none other than Mesut Ozil who has now 12 assists in the league in 15 games with two goals as cherry on the top. Training hard to make runs, re-tracking and winning possession and finding space on his own, Ozil has become the driving force in the Arsenal's offensive unit, feeding goal scoring passes at times out of nowhere and in games that have mattered in the season.

Nonetheless, it was a nervous win last night which saw an own goal from Giroud who later cancelled it with a spectacular header to put the Gunners back in the lead and revealed clear signs of vulnerability in defense and hesitation in picking up passes in the last third. This shows how much of a difference does the presence of Coquelin, Cazorla and Sanchez make in the game.

History depicts that although Arsenal has seen many injury filled seasons over the last decade but this time just when the tide has started to favor them, these injuries have started to wear down the team in the most crucial phase of the season. The fact that Arsenal are just two points behind league leaders Leicester City with the spread among the top five of only six points proves that our chances of winning the league title this season are quite high.

Wenger needs to find the perfect DM cover for Coquelin

The only drawback is the lengthy list of injured players who can actually make up of almost the entire first team and their long term absence would prove the Gunner's boss Arsene Wenger wrong in his decision to not buy during the summer transfer window. Although very edgy whenever asked about the injuries and January transfer window, Mr. Wenger would have to admit that he would need to find decent cover for the team in the midfield to progress swiftly towards the title challenge. 

Last night's performance may have boosted a load of confidence among the players but make sure that Coquelin and Cazorla's absence at the heart of the pitch is not felt so much, at least two potential signings should be on for the upcoming January window. If not two, then at least a central defensive midfielder to enforce and release the pressure off the back four. 

For now, a still very decent unit is available for the make or break Champions League away tie at Olympiakos on Wednesday evening with an outside chance that Mr. Sanchez may be seen on the bench while completely ignoring the hamstring he picked up against Norwich unless he is locked down in the infirmary by the Boss himself.

Only the game night would reveal the rest so till then, that's all for now. Leave a comment to speak your mind and thank you so much for reading patiently. Salud & COYG!!

Arsenal Low on Cover as Bayern Clash closes in

Well, Well, Well, as I last wrote about the fragility in the squad despite strong performances in the premiere league, it feels that there is much more to it than it meets the eye.

Campbell finally makes his mark for Gunners

Yes, we pulled another victory last night against Swansea City with goals from the French duo (Giroud & Koscielny) once again along with the long lost child Joel Campbell who finally showed the skills to stick in the first team. Once again, Ozil took the front seat with Alexis Sanchez finding his 'born to kill' talent again on the pitch.

The result has left us level on top with Manchester City on points in the league while the latter takes top slot on goal difference. However, the result seems to have covered up the clear flaws which have been a problem for Arsenal. Particularly, the outcome of the Capitol One Cup exit to the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at their home.

Walcott back in infirmary.

Number one as highlighted in the earlier post is the number of injured players Arsenal now have so far after the League cup exit. Walcott and Chamberlain picked up injuries within the span of 20 minutes of the Capitol One Cup fixture and they joined Ramsey, Wilshere. Welbeck, Ospina, Arteta and Rosicky. None of them available for the UEFA Champions League tie with Bayern at Allianz Arena which leaves Giroud the lone central striker for Gunners till at least December.

Chamberlain out till Int'l break.

Moreover with no further addition during the transfer window, things have started to look quite tight with availability of strong back-ups in the midfield and as well as on the offense. The right flank especially is placed open for Joel Campbell who showed strong legs and fine set of talent for just one game now so far.

The other option is the Academy boy Alex Iwobi who has been in sparkling form in the youth team. Unfortunately, Santi Cazorla and Francios Coquelin have to be cautious and extra vigilant about their fitness level as they have no back-up so far.

Defense still a concern for Arsenal.

Second major problem which is seen in this past week is the complacency in the defensive line which resulted in a humiliating loss in Capitol One Cup and as well as gave Swansea City two absolutely clear goal opportunities which were ruined by Swansea striker Bafetimbe Gomis and cleared by Hector-Flash Bellerin. No matter how strong it may have been for Gunners to have Petr Cech as their ultimate savior, Arsenal back four should not be caught napping in any game.

This sort of stance is what Bayern would be looking for in the Arsenal team to exploit when they meet at Munich for another crunch tie which would determine the course of Arsenal's progress in the UEFA Champion's League this season. 

With full strength in the squad and a clear eye of vengeance, the German champions would strike hard against the Gunners at home and a slight lack of concentration could cause a lot of turbulence in the European competition as well as the title challenge in the Premiere League.

Tell us how what you think through a comment and thank you for reading patiently.

COYG! Salud. 

Signs of Fatigue & Injury Loom Up Front despite Gunners Flying High

Hello again. It has been quite a thunderous run for Arsenal as they stole back to back home victories which includes a clear heist against the German giants Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League crunch tie. A game that has kept the hope alive for going through to the Last 16 round of the European competition.

The French duo doing the Magic against Everton

And just when some critics thought that complacency might stretch the hang over of that triumph into the Premiere League, Arsenal produced another superb performance against Everton with first half goals by Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny and then held on to the lead to take the top slot on the table for the night. Both Frenchmen have been extra ordinary this week with Koscielny being the most prominent name in the list of the league top center-backs season after season.

Ozil raising the level game after game

 However, the name that has stifled every critic's voice is of Mesut Ozil who has powered himself up in all the big games so far in the past few weeks. His performances have put a stop to the constant jibe of his price-tag since he signed for the Gunners two seasons ago.

All in All, Arsene Wenger's adaptability to the modern techniques and ever changing style of game play against the big sides is paying off healthy dividends and the cohesion of the defense wall with the Experienced Petr Cech is absolutely perfect, pushing the confidence sky high.

Sanchez has to take a break.

However, there has been a clear sign of fatigue in a player whose presence makes every opposition nervous on the pitch and he is none other than Alexis Sanchez. Although he seems to be pumped up for every game, he can't hide the level of fatigue when moving up front and the Gunner's boss has to give him rest in order for him to gain the strength he has to demolish opponents single handedly.

Another player who seems a bit out of ideas after a powerful display against Manchester United is Theo Walcott and his last two games of growing quietness gave Giroud a chance to start last night where the Frenchman proved to be the vital force in last night's victory. Although Walcott has not been bad at all during the Bayern game but missed chances may have stirred down his confidence a bit in his role as a central striker.

Another player gained by the club's medical staff is Aaron Ramsey whose hamstring has again started to give him problems before the season has not even reached halfway. His expected return will be after another make-or-break, tough, away gtie in CL against the wounded lions Bayern Munich and the international break. 

Joyous now but tough weeks ahead for Wenger

With no signings up front this past transfer window and complete confidence in the players to be fit with the support of the ever hardworking medical staff, Arsene Wenger has to take some precautions and calculated risks in squad rotation given how Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky seem like on the KIA list.

That may play into the fear of a slump which usually is the reason of Casualty for Arsenal season after season and Arsene Wenger would not want that to occur again given how his side has been performing so far in this season with all the Star players he has mustered to build a squad that is being termed the "Best" since the Invincible's Era.

Leave your thoughts below if you feel like by firing in a comment and thanks again for reading it patiently.

Cheers!!

Gunners fired up as D-Day approaches in Champion's League

My oh My! The days have passed on too quickly despite the international break as Arsenal have progressed tremendously well ahead of make or break, back to back UEFA CL ties against the European giant Bayern Munich. 

Sanchez shines again

Another night of happiness and excitement drove the fans to the peak as Alexis Sanchez - the new talisman for Arsenal truly showed why he was signed by Wenger last season. 

After a sensational display against Manchester United at home where he earned a brace, Sanchez was there again to cause the Watford's backline a serious trouble at Vicarage Road as he finally break the deadlock after the hour-mark with his sixth goal in the league this season.

Ramsey finds the goal and so does Giroud.

Besides Sanchez, Super sub Giroud scored his fourth goal of the season after relieving Theo Walcott who found himself a bit rusty after performing greatly on the international duty. And finally after a long wait, Aron Ramsey's name made it on the score-sheet while Mesut Ozil is giving the critics moments after moments of silence through back to back brilliant performances for Arsenal.

Becoming the team's go to guy now, Sanchez has the work-rate that is not only impressive but quite contagious for the team. While on the other hand, Bellerin has practically killed any chance that remained for Mathieu Debuchy to feel motivated in fighting the place in the team whereas Monreal is emerging a silent hero on the backdrop for Arsenal, making his position secured on the left.

At the moment, Arsenal are sitting 2nd on the Premiere League table and have been getting stronger on practically all fronts but the real test is yet to arrive as they head into the "D-Day" in UEFA Champions League, hosting the ever dangerous Bayern first and visitng them at Allianz Arena the following week.

Bayern - the unbeatable force this season in Germany.

A team which is most feared in Europe at the moment despite the absence of their catalysts Arjen Robben & Franck Ribery and especially after the eminent departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Those name have been taken over by the lickes of Muller, Lewandowski, Vidal and ever green Xabi Alonso; all in supreme form with Bayern yet to drop a point in Bundesliga after winning all nine games since this season's start.

However, the first tie with Bayern is at home for Gunners and that would be a bit comforting and slightly alarming at the same time. For one, it is a crucial tie in Champions League group stage for Arsenal as that would decide whether they have a chance to progress ahead in the European competition. 

The comfort of playing it at home with the  crowd support is always encouraging but at the same time, the home record this season hasn't been that solid for Gunners as compared to the last season. Secondly, Bayern has beaten Arsenal at the Emirates on last two occasions so it could turn the crowd into jeering after producing a stunning display against United two weeks back.

So the threats are clearly there and Arsenal have to prove their mettle to make sure that they remain in the UEFA Champions League in the hopes of moving forward in the D-Day on Tuesday night.

What's your take on it? Leave your thoughts and point below and thank you once again for reading patiently.

COYG! Adios.

Feiry Flams & Stunning Sanchez: Reasons for Gunners to Rejoice

Last week's dreadful show and this week's display makes a perfect moment to recall a famous line of Al Pacino in The Godfather III movie which was, "Äs soon as I thought I was out, they pulled me back in."

Yes, this is the week to bask in immense delight for all the Goonars as Arsenal made a statement to quiet down all the doubters and put a stop to the taunts by many that a top class proven striker is what Gunners actually require to fight for the title. Well, not so much if you take in the accounts of how we played at White Hart Lane in our Capitol One Cup tie against Tottenham but last night practically shut down all the critics who has the fan drive against the Gunner's boss.

Wednesday night seemed to be a bit of stuttering approach as fresh loss to Chelsea was looming over the players and the absence of Coquelin, due to injury, saw two veterans Arteta and Flamini filling in the position with no Cazorla in the squad along with Ospina, Debuchy and Campbell coming in the line up.

Flamini Shines for Arsenal in Capital One Cup

That seemed to be working against the team until Flamini popped in the picture, scoring his first on the rebound, followed by a spectacular volley finish that completely broke down Spurs and saw them out of the competition on a night where Giroud again came a bit clueless with his approach on the goal.

However when dumping our North London rivals in a slightly fortunate manner wasn't enough, a complete assault came in at Leicester in the Premiere League fixture yesterday where the Gunners finally went in with all guns blazing on the offensive, particularly with the man in question who lead the Arsenal goal scoring stat last season - Alexis Sanchez And also especially against the only team with an unbeaten record in the League which seemed unstoppable till the very game at their home.

Alexis Sanchez is back with a Bang.

After giving away the first goal in the early minutes of the game, Arsenal had the hard work cut out against a strong team laid out in front of them by Claudio Raneiri but the counter attacking mindset paid off with Walcott equalizing due to an excellent pass by Santi Cazorla.

Then came in the dazzling Chilean with an appetite, scoring his first of the season on a Bellerin cross, then heading off an excellent Ozil lob for his second which by his his trademark long shot finish from 20 odd yards to bag his first hat-trick in the Premiere League.

Although, Jamie Vardy scored again following his first to make the Gunners nervous but Giroud came off the bench to grab the fifth and end the powerful run of Leicester City to a complete stop.

Wenger rejoiced following Arsenal's strong Comeback.

This victorious week has given great boost to the fact that Arsene Wenger had given the fans a great reason to get behind him and most importantly the team itself. Moreover, questions that loomed about having a renowned proven striker signing might be out to rest as all three designated forwards were on the score sheet.

However, the need of a strong defensive midfield back up seems to be the area that should concern Wenger the most as Flamini and Arteta could only provide limited cover for Coquelin, the man who has become the actual anchor for Arsenal since last season.

Although he would be back in a week's time to face Manchester United at home but any serious injury to him may leave Gunners on the back-foot so let's hope he stays fit along with Arteta and Flamini in the squad till January transfer window.


What's your opinion on it? Do tell through your comments and Thank you once again for reading. Till next time, Come On You Gunners!! Cheers.

A True Red Week for Gunners

Well Surprise, Surprise. If you couldn't comprehend from the post's title already, the following will give you a whirlwind round up of how Gunners fared in this past week's horrendous displays of RED on the pitch.

After setting the tone from the home victory against Stoke City, the plan was to build up the pressure over our London rivals Chelsea who had been in the dumps so far. Instead, Arsenal nose dived at Dynamo Zagreb by not only losing to the hosts but also seeing the lone striker Olivier Giroud pick up a red card with his own wrong doing.

While Walcott scored first CL goal for the season in the game, it was astonishingly confusing to see Wenger trying up numerous questionable changes in the squad despite knowing the criticality of starting strong in the UEFA Champion's League.

Leaving Ramsey, Bellerin, Walcott, Coquelin, Monreal and more importantly the only but the most vital signing of the season, Petr Cech on the bench proved to be the worst idea that the Gunner's boss could come up with in a CL opener and resulted in a disappointed loss for the team which includes Giroud's ouster. This fact was later on admitted by him at the post match press conference.

And if that wasn't enough to damage the confidence, the Saturday afternoon fixture becoming the crash landing site for the North London club at Stamford Bridge. A game which started as a see-saw attacking fiesta, ended in a total fiasco for Gunners which resulted not only in a loss but seeing two players sent off in a single game with one in particular the most talked about in this past weekend.

Costa's Antics left Gunners Speechless

Referee Mike Dean was also to be blamed for his inability to see things clearly and stood quite unfair in the scheme of things, leading to a storm of criticism in the most controversial game of this season so far where the wittiness was used by Chelsea to beat Arsenal at their home.

Although many have criticized Diego Costa for his antics and devious way to have Gabriel Paulista sent off after being clearly being the one to receive it, the Arsenal defender let him get under his skin and fell pray while not controlling his emotions in the derby.

That Red card proved to be the decider as Gunners gave away the first goal from the set-piece after Gabriel's dismissal and plunged further down as Cazorla pick up his 2nd yellow in the game to become the 3rd Arsenal player to get a red card in 2 matches. That led to the 2nd goal of the match, making it the last nail in the coffin for Arsenal.

Wenger finding more plunge than rise.

All in all, the tactical failure of Arsene Wenger in Dynamo led to a disastrous weekend which has left the team with a lot of questions to be answered as they visit Tottenham Spurs on Tuesday night in their Capitol One Cup clash.

Has the transfer policy fired back? Are Gunners habitual now to repeat their performances against major sides every season? Is Arsene Wenger still the right man to manage the team as a team besides as a club? Can Arsenal bounce back to show that they are still in the race for the title glory this season?

Tuesday night may be the night to have all of these questions answered.

What's your opinion about it? Leave a comment below and thanks once again for reading patiently.

Cheers!