02 Sep 2026 17:58:40
Window closed, not what everyone wanted but we know the squad now. Our midfield looks a level below Man City and Arsenals but we still have quality and we will just have to outscore the teams we play. At least it won't be boring sideways passing!
Really hope Iraola gets them performing and proves to be our long term manager.
02 Sep 2026 18:29:36
I think everything for us now revolves around getting the press working at full tilt and effectively. Once that is in place, it will all click into gear for us.
I was speaking to a Newcastle fan today and he said Isak was excellent on the press before injuries. Kinda shocked me, as I didn't ever recall him pressing at speed. So perhaps it's still a fitness thing and about getting his confidence back.
If he can't regain it, we have to swap him out, even though he is a goalscorer. I think Gakpo could be great at leading the press.
The press is everything right now. We have to get it working and perfected. When we are regularly turning the ball over high up and covering the right spaces behind, the rest will fall into place.
02 Sep 2026 18:43:17
The press and the midfield balance… I don’t think too much is wrong. Both games were lost by poor positional play / defensive awareness. Players need to step up and develop an appetite for the hard yards and putting a foot in.
Too many players just want to play nice football and focus on the ball work… that is the problem, which is a mindset shift that will take time.
02 Sep 2026 19:13:20
Davey Sulls, if I was playing against our press, I would just drop long balls on our full backs, mainly Frimpong, and chase it down. Backing that up by then pressing our back 4.
Wouldn't be hard to do, mate.
02 Sep 2026 19:20:48
Arsenal have yet to concede a goal this season so far:
Man Cheaty Community Shield 3-0
Coventry 3-0 PL Home
Aston Villa 0-1 PL Away
LFC defence had its worst PL defensive record last year in the Premier: 53 goals conceded. Arsenal conceded 27 times; one more goal conceded and we would have doubled it.
Andoni doubled Arsenal with 54 goals conceded for the PL season 25-26. Bournemouth: W13,D18,L7. They scored 58 goals. GD=+4.
Attack is obviously the best form of defence for Andoni.
Strap yourselves in!
02 Sep 2026 19:52:08
Gegenpressing is dying not because teams stopped doing it but because sport science figured out that it burns players out by year 3.
Andoni is going to need all of the forwards inc Freddy Church as they will
be getting rinsed!
02 Sep 2026 20:07:55
Wouldn’t worry, Swamp. A lot of this lot will be gone in two.
02 Sep 2026 20:24:25
Great start on the positivity. We have only these players back them. I don't have the fortune to be in the stadium, so can everyone who is back the players as now is the time?
02 Sep 2026 20:25:16
If our back 4 weren't switching off, and a couple of cynical yellow cards in midfield, we'd be on 6 points today.
02 Sep 2026 20:43:43
Didn’t see Salah or Robbo burnt out by year 3.
03 Sep 2026 06:56:32
I don't mind boring wins. You can keep your 2-2 draws.
We could be boring and dominant in the 70s and 80s.
Goals and entertainment are for the other teams on a relaxing Sunday afternoon (as long as United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs are not winning).
03 Sep 2026 08:43:13
Think there will be big improvements over the next few games as players get more used to Ai's tactics and are fitter. Just trust the process and the team.
03 Sep 2026 09:44:21
I'm with Davey and @Man. It is now all about structure and balance, esp. in that defence/midfield combo. If we get that right, then the connection with the midfield and attack will also see some improvement.
Most importantly, there has to be a shift in mentality on this front and it will not be easy for Iraola to just flip a switch with these players, cos for the past 18 months or so, they have been playing in slow, easy mode with next to no running, discipline and structure, tactically.
They will need to grow a pair, be ready to do the hard yards and increase their concentration and focus levels to achieve better decision-making. If we get the majority of these things right, better days are not as far as we may think.