It has turned into a ‘sad joke’ to ridicule Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, yet that won’t prevent the Mailbox from landing criticisms regarding their many ‘failures’.
An explosion from history
I was simply curious if #SignDaTing is still relevant?
Requesting three friends located in Liverpool…
Olly, Brisbane.
Ange Verwaltung
A little tardy to the post-match analysis buzz on Spurs – primarily centered around Ange and his rather questionable team choices – but has no one noticed that our ‘friend’ was throwing a fit last year when he failed to understand the straightforward idea that we didn’t want Arsenal to lift the trophy and thus were okay with giving up a match to City, while he aimed to approach that (and every match) as if it were Tottenham's final game? The same individual who will field the top 11 players available to us, no matter if they have a broken leg or are even alive, like Micky + Romero against Chelsea? The same individual who didn’t shed tears over injuries but later did cry about them, and the same person who has repeatedly complained about the number of games in recent months?
Alright. We are currently the league's top-performing team (lol), facing a City side that is quite beatable, giving us an opportunity to close the gap (certainly not catch up) to the Euro-qualifying teams, which makes us appear a bit less foolish, maintain our good form and positive vibe, sustain that momentum for AZ, and we've got 8 FULL DAYS before that game. So, what is the clear action to take? Ah yes, you remove your top player from the entire season from the starting 11 and you exclude your best player of 2025 from the starting 11. That’s logical.
Son, I won’t debate with. Fell, relaxed. I truly don’t mind. I adore him and he is a club legend, but every dog has its moment. It's time to bring Old Yeller outside. Djed is likely pleased to have regular playing time after being isolated for such a long time, so go ahead and start him. I appreciate Porro; he’s a huge asset for us moving ahead, but when defensive strength is needed, there’s no doubt Spence is ‘that guy’. Sure, Kulu might feel fatigued, but let's face it, he’s not so tired that he’s performing like Sonny. He's still useful and, you know, genuinely skilled. Why not begin with him – establish the mood correctly – and substitute him after he’s netted a hat-trick and provided 14 assists? Tel, Odobert, and a newly healthy BJ just doesn’t seem right against any adversary. Thus very light. Dejan brings enjoyable power and cleverness that no one else can provide in that attacking area.
So it's acceptable to form a team for a defeat when it benefits you, is it, Ange? However, we should carry an extra pair of panties in our pocket if we ever imply that we don’t wish for our most despised opponents to win the league. Ensure it is understandable. We had 8 damn days, for f**k's sake. EIGHT!
As always, I observe divisive opinions; that's just the nature of our world, and that's fine. That's okay. Thus it shall be. I simply cannot tolerate hypocritical actions, and this is what he has shown. Given the man's directness, this appears to be quite far from home. Just admit that you don’t care about the league and you’re putting all your hopes in your lovely imported European basket. You will surely drop and shatter it by the semi-final round since you chose to rely on Werner, Forster, Davies, Porro, and similar players like Bissouma with your exquisite euro basket after fielding Kulu, Romero, VDV, Solanke, and Djed away at Villa, even if the league standing is likely settled by then. The point is, screw you!
Wow, I became more frustrated as I typed that out.
Glen, Stratford Lane
The context is essential.
Placing matters in perspective. The title has slipped away, and now it's about securing a Champions League spot and warding off the pursuing teams.
Arsenal (2nd) faced Forest (3rd) away, a key rival, and considering they've only dropped 2 matches at home, earning a point would have been favorable in any situation. Nevertheless, Arsenal made them seem quite average. It’s unfortunate that we lack forwards; otherwise, that match had victory for Arsenal all over it, period.
Arteta was aware of his strategy with Calafioria from the start by utilizing him as a flexible defender/attacker. To me, that's his rightful place since we already have plenty of solid defenders. Naturally, he needed to substitute him due to the yellow card. Beautiful twist when his attempt struck the post. I might suggest, hmmm…genuine Pires.
We won't be facing City or Forest again, and Newcastle is struggling like every other team.
In any case, we shall find out.
Chris, Croydon
Ew, disgusting.
Alright, I’ll bite, Tom "net spend is for fools."
Based on your argument about gross spending, if Barcelona purchased Saka for £150m and Arsenal inexplicably donated all the funds to the Salvation Army, it wouldn’t undermine the club or Arteta’s position.
I concur that net spend isn't an ideal measure, but considering gross spend is far worse; it's just plain foolish.
A more effective method to assess relative financial benefits would involve calculating net expenditure, including salaries, and then (in some way) excluding the transactions of all the peripheral players, which can occasionally skew the net amount. This would require subjective judgments about who to include or exclude, making it difficult and somewhat unscientific.
I believe it's evident to all that when Liverpool parted with Coutinho, they lost one of the Premier League's top players at that moment, so that £105m must be considered in the context. However, selling a fringe player such as Rhian Brewster to struggling Sheffield United for £24m shouldn't be deemed advantageous for Liverpool. It didn't diminish Klopp, but merely assisted him in funding additional transfers. That's where the net spend number shows its weaknesses.
I prefer net spending to gross spending any time.
Christian, Copenhagen
Ode neutralizador
Odegaard's subpar performance this season has clearly, at first, been attributed to his ankle injury at the season's start. It appeared to take quite a while for him to heal.
Regrettably, now that he has healed, White and Saka have been unavailable, which has paused his impactful position in the productive trio along the right flank.
This has lowered Ødegaard’s goal-scoring rate, and together with other injuries, it has ruined Arsenal’s chances of winning the title. It’s currently about securing a place in the top four. A victory on the road against third-placed Forest was mission accomplished.
Chris, Croydon
Taking the Mik
I feel extremely, extremely envious of Mikel Arteta. Never before has a trainee manager been presented with such wealth, 780 million GBP, to lead one of the largest teams globally. Never before has there been a fanbase so defensive about the numerous mistakes made despite clear solutions. There has never been a manager who received timely solutions from their academy.
Even with his shortcomings, the principles of fundamental reasoning are regarded as blasphemy by his supporters. Liverpool victorious? They are uninjured. PGMOL issued us red cards. The League is terrible. Other teams consistently gain from divine intervention, fortune, and collusion.
Even though social media has its fair share of crazies, it serves as a fairly precise indicator of the actual prevailing feelings, and trust me, numerous Arsenal supporters share this sentiment. They believe other fans are afraid of Supadupa Mik, which is why they continue to throw bricks.
No. We dislike Arteta for simply being Arteta. His unawareness of his true self (not a winner), his abrasive responses to journalists when asked questions, his over-the-top antics during games, his awkward coaching, but primarily his skill at succeeding despite failures and believing he’s a divine blessing to football.
He brings to mind David O’Leary from about 20 years ago, another fool who received a large sum of money, took advantage of the academy, and repeatedly made awkward comments such as “My babies” regarding his young squad. Perhaps history repeats itself or perhaps it just echoes, but it wouldn’t shock me to see Arteta tread the same path as O’Leary.
Until you ask for better, continue inhaling the Champions' fumes, Arsenal supporters.
Vinnie Pee, We're going to be champions!
Arteta and Arsenal are insignificant.
I am grateful to the lord for having fans like Dion and Simon at Arsenal. Because without them, the league would experience a bit less joy. Let’s make it straightforward this time since I’m fed up with this repeated nonsense issue:
Would Pep have secured the league title with this Arsenal? Affirmative.
Would Sir Alex claim the league title with this Arsenal? Certainly.
Would Klopp have claimed the league title with this Arsenal? Affirmative.
Would Ancelotti have secured the league title with this Arsenal? Certainly!
Arteta raised your club from 10th to 2nd place. This resulted in a difference of 0 trophies following the one he secured with Emery's team.
I am not criticizing the effort he has put into elevating Arsenal to a specific level. He is to Arsenal what Brenden Rodgers represented to Liverpool or Ole did to United. Adequate coach who performed to his ability.
However, if your goal is to secure a title, he is not the right person. If you're looking to secure a trophy, he isn't the right choice. It’s as easy as that. If Arsenal is satisfied with a solid league standing and no significant trophies, while playing attractive football and not experiencing a dreadful season, then Arteta is performing adequately. All this discussion about expenditures and so on isn't particularly significant. Expenditure doesn't equate to achievement, and if you have it, then utilize it—who are we to argue about a few million here and there?
He is not an ineffective manager, but he is not an exceptional one. He is a capable manager performing well with a solid team. He would be fantastic if he claimed the championship. Ultimately, Arsenal 2020-2025 will be regarded by no one as anything but a minor detail in history. For comparison, Ten Hag's name will be inscribed among the trophy winners, associated with one of the poorest teams in football history, and it will be a highlight, not merely a footnote. Despite possibly not being an excellent manager. That's the impact trophies have, which is why winning a few is significant.
Has Arteta elevated Arsenal in the standings? Certainly. Yes. Have Arteta’s errors in the transfer market and strategy cost them the championship? Certainly, once more. Should supporters of different teams be concerned or interested in Arsenal? Absolutely not. They won’t be winning anything this year, next year, or in ten years, so let them and their supporters enjoy their lives while we focus on worrying about Liverpool, City, and even Chelsea, who I believe will take the title again before Arsenal does.
At the very least, United, being the largest banter club in England, secures a trophy every few years to sustain the trolling and banter period on both sides of the equation. It's simply disappointing to ridicule Arsenal when they're not achieving anything themselves and still insist they're a great team with "potential." So, let's stop discussing a team and a manager whose season has already concluded and aren't particularly entertaining to observe or discuss. You can only kick a team when they're down for so long, but after five years of not winning anything, it’s simply pitiful now. Keep going, everyone.
Cheers
Aman
No one is aware
Dear supporters of Arsenal and Liverpool,
I’m certain that many of you know about the terrors of social media, particularly ‘X’. The focus here is on the banter revisionism being tossed about by fans of Arsenal and Liverpool.
It's injuries, clearly, and reports that Arsenal have experienced SO many more than Liverpool, based on these easily examined tables. Liverpool supporter sets them straight – it's not significantly more, check out these readily analyzed tables I’ve put together myself. Who cares! Would Arsenal have clinched the league title if they hadn't faced so many injuries? We don’t have the answer, and no one does.
A Liverpool supporter claims that Liverpool held a 9-point lead over Arsenal in the league prior to suffering a major injury. Does that imply Liverpool would have held that up against a completely healthy Arsenal? Who is concerned! We are unsure; no one is certain.
I’d like to make a small remark (reveals identity as a Liverpool supporter) – we acquired Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Endo, and Mac Allister for much lower than Declan Rice’s fee. All those incredible legends are leading us straight to the damn premier league, and even Mo’s genius wouldn’t have achieved it without their help.
So think about that, before you whine your way to justifications. And Liverpool supporters, please refrain from participating; it's disrupting my timeline.
Lester Rouge
Sporting Eyüp
I'm just getting up to speed on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his squad (x Les Ferdinand’s) who have recently defeated Eyupspor. If there was ever a fitting name for a Yorkshire team!
Arne's second 16 provided the boys with a break. Great job, Slotty!
Peter, Andalucia
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