The System or the Game? Arteta’s coaching style on trial… [Positive Needs & Hopes]
The System or the Game POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Some games feel more important than others. Yesterdays game felt particularly important. This might have been because our results have been as expected so far. This game was against an equal. It had the power to send us one point off top, but even though we […]
Tactical Breakdown of win in Vienna as Bellerin and Aubameyang provide the Gunners with a positive impact
First Half With regards to the shape, Arteta continued with the hybrid 3-4-3 system. Generally, it was a 4-3-3 because the Gunners were predominantly in possession and a 2-3-5 formation was deployed as they approached the final third. The diagram below illustrates how Cedric would partner Pepe in the attacking phase, with Elneny covering the […]
Attacking Solution Enclosed: how to get the Gunners firing again [Positive Needs & Hopes]
Attacking solution enclosed POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES “Do Rapid Vienna have a goalkeeper? I haven’t seen him yet and this is the 55th minute” “This looks like a massive game of keep away. Again.” “If we are going to score, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be from open play.” “Eddie looks lost. Why […]
In Footballing Terms Arteta has decided to build a system around Aubameyang not Ozil – Simples!
So much has been written already about the Mesut Ozil situation, much of it, agenda driven and most of it speculation. I can promise no agenda in my own views other than a footballing one. I will say however that however much I applaud his work for charity, his defence of the oppressed and his […]
Özil and Arsenal – Caught in a Bad Romance
For far too long Özil and Arsenal have been intertwined in a sadly tragic affair. Both player and club are reminding me of the hit Lady Gaga song, Bad Romance. One particular line in the song goes as follows, “You and me could write a bad romance”. That line is strangely fitting as I am […]
The ‘Arteta Knows Brigade’ won’t question the Manager but honest fans should
In the embryonic stages of my Arsenal related writing pastime, I chose Gunner Be Honest as my blogging pseudonym because I pride myself on my honesty and felt that many supporters allowed their views to be clouded by their love for their club. Those who know me personally will tell you that I love my […]
Don’t let the Billionaires destroy our game with their European Super League!
I’ve written on this subject on a number of occasions. However I feel so strongly about this I phoned the club to tell them exactly how I felt about the prospect of a European Super League (ESL) and all that entails. I know that call means nothing to Arsenal Football Club and I was only […]
Introducing Marcelo Flores – a two-footed Samir Nasri but with more goals in him!
It seems there are an unlimited number of exciting youngsters at Arsenal at present. We all know that the actual number – and it is a numbers game – that make it into first teamers is small, but it does feel, with our current first team squad as it is, that the next few years […]
What became of Wenger’s sword? And why loaning Guendouzi to Hertha Berlin makes little sense
I will be touching on why I disagree with the Guendouzi loan to Hertha Berlin. Other topics covered include a question for Arséne Wenger you haven’t seen being asked yet and various thoughts on my problem with the Matteo Guendouzi loan. Moving onto the first issue… Arséne Wenger has released his new book, My Life […]
3 Key Things Arteta will have learned from Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at the Etihad
Arsenal travelled to the Etihad with the belief and optimism that they could turn their fortunes around on the road against the top 6, especially after Arteta confirmed new signing Thomas Partey and key defender Kieran Tierney would be included in the squad, roughly at the same time Guardiola ruled out several key players for […]