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Sarri needs to sort himself out
It appears to me that for all Maurizio Sarri’s complaints of player motivation at Chelsea, it seems obvious that he should turn the lens inwards and examine himself. He’s trying to get the team to play in a system that doesn’t suit their strengths, he’s got the side set up to play out of position all over the field, he’s got a bench he doesn’t use until it’s desperation time and he won’t adapt in any circumstance.
It’s probably difficult to motivate players in that situation. He also should look at his own motivation – shouldn’t he be setting an example to commitment? How about quitting smoking? Or turning up on match day dressed like a professional ready to go to work, rather than looking like he just rolled out of bed and dragged yesterday’s tracksuit out of the pile of clothes on the floor?
There’s no comparison to Conte calling out his team after a defeat to Arsenal – he changed the system, went to a back three, got the players fired up and on an unbeaten streak that took Chelsea to the Premier League title. Sarri’s going to call them out and not change anything, that’s a no-win situation for everyone – the team, the club, the fans and Sarri himself. Maybe he’s angling for the payoff from Roman and taking a year out with his feet up.
Steve, Los Angeles
No one likes to see that
Good on a number of Chelsea fans who have called for an Alonso ban after that dispicable eye gouging incident. We don’t need that in the game.
Cheers,
Gooner Chris
Missing Mesut?
Just wanted to hold my hands up and admit that Ozil was excellent against Chelsea this weekend. Did not misplace a single pass, didn’t shirk one tackle, did not slow down play. Long may it continue! As the Spurs and Chelsea victories clearly show, Arsenal and Emery can’t succeed without his “Crapactico” Ozil.
Stewie Griffin (the Ozil fanboys will return for the home fixture v Huddersfield where Ozil will make a sumptuous pass?)
Satisfied Gooner
I watched Arsenal on Saturday expecting a thumping (like I did against the Spuds and Liverpool at home) but what did I see…… anything but!
Emery got it right….as did his players. Close them down. The Chavs couldn’t handle the intensity. We don’t need Ozil…. unfortunately, Ramsey will be a loss.
Also, Arsenal are a different team will Bel playing as we deliver from both flanks…so sad to see him get injured again. As I’ve posted on, so called banter pages, the Spuds getting injuries is nothing to laugh at either.
Kos was outstanding.
Supporting Arsenal can give one a heart problem but I didn’t even feel anxious, for once, watching that performance inspired by a devoted captain.
Sad git that I am, that has made my week. I will go and have a glass of Sauvigion Blanc at the classy Whetherspoon pub at London Victoria train station tomorrow and listen to Andy and James on Arsecast
Any Gooners out there who don’t follow Arseblog need to. It’s the best Arsenal site going.
Out of favour on this site, Chris (even though I’ve been here from day one !)
Jose took the fun out of hating United
Wowser so reading Jose’s quotes saying that Pep and Jurgen have had it better because those above them believed in what they are doing? Is this some sort of dig at the board because they didn’t sign who he wanted. I think maybe the summer just gone that was the case, however he bought a 30m defender, an 89m midfielder and a 75m striker. No wonder the board didn’t have confidence in him. He has had resources available that are no different, in fact maybe better, than pep and Klopp except they have bought better and been more accurate in strengthening their squads. There is only one person to blame for why Jose failed at United and that is himself. The big man got the big job and he failed miserably and he has nobody to look at other than his reflection. I find it really ironic that he slated Wenger for not winning for years, being past his sell by date, and this seems to be exactly where he is heading himself. As a Liverpool fan I hate United because I was born that way, so for me to say I am glad they are rid of him speaks volumes of how I feel towards him. He single handed had our biggest rivals crumbling but I couldn’t take any joy out of it because it was just wrong. There is a difference between being shit and poisoned from the inside. English football is a better place without him. The man should just hold his hands up and say he f**ked up and let the club down, but no he goes in to one about how Pep and Klopp have had it better than him. Pull the other one fella, have a bit of humility and for God sake please stay away from our league and never ever ever make me feel sorry for United again.
Ryan, Liverpool
You are my Solskjaer
One month of Ole and the top four is in United’s own hands. They may still fail to make it, but the fact that it’s in their own control is remarkable give how things looked in early December.
Chris, MUFC
It’s coming home
Is anyone else getting rather prematurely excited about a first World Cup triumph for England since the Jules Rimet in the month when I was conceived (surely coincidence)? Can we now not consider England’s squad and management team to be on a par with the other likely challengers? Rashford has joined Kane and Sterling in the ‘ very good’ class. Ali, Lingard and Winks are maturing purposefully
as will Oxlade Chamberlaine (captain material in my eyes ). Stones, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold (and the Palace full back looks in with a shout ) are all also maturing. Perhaps a better keeper will come through (Nick Pope) or the Everton boy could well improve I suppose
and not forgetting our younger title winners, the best of which seem to be playing in Duetchland ! Oh the delicious irony , so many decades of seeing the manshaaft being so much more competent than us .
Finally, how many times has it been said that a November / December competition is advantageous for english players ? The stars seem to be aligning as they say and I´m damned excited about seeing Southgate go down in history behind that equally gentlemanly fellah Ramsey . The normally powerful countries, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Holland, Spain are in a relative lull.
As in 1970, no one is gonna fancy playing us.
You gotta consider though that this is partially driven by good coaches from across those countries + Norway !? Let´s have the Euros first please, as a palette cleanser to practice street party organisation .
Peter (only wish it would get sent to UK by emergency coz Cattargh got found out ) Andalucia
Tip for Pep
For much of the Huddersfield – City game, De Bruyne, in an advanced position on the right side of the pitch, was watching Fernandinho in the centre of the pitch trying to spray move-making passes around and, mostly, failing. Mopping up attacks and mistakes, Fernandinho was good, of course.
Why wasn’t De Bruyne playing a little further back to begin the attacks?
Weird.
Jonno McSchmonno
Headline act
Pretty much every press outlet for the last few weekends reported that Liverpool have “extended their lead to 7 points” on Saturday; and Citeh have then “closed the gap to 4 points” on Sunday. They haven’t. They are still exactly 4 points apart as they were before the weekend started and as they have been since 2 Jan. The have JUST PLAYED ON DIFFERENT DAYS.
Stop it, just stop it, all of you.
Ben B, MCFC