One of the cliches that is regularly trotted out on sports media programmes is that ‘Football is a game of opinions.’ Cliché it may be but the reality is that the debate and discussion between fans, which after all is one of the main reasons that the original Goonerholic blog was created, is one of the most enjoyable and occasionally important part of the supporters’ life.

To enliven yet another interlull we took the opportunity to seek the opinions of some Holics from whom we hear less frequently. Their views were strongly expressed and showed a range of opinions, although some are views clearly held by most fans at the moment. The five who responded to our call were MMTWP, based in Australia, Sancho Panza, a loyal Gooner for many years based much nearer to home, the always-interesting Dundonian BergkamptheMan (BtM) who has been a stalwart of the Goonerholic and GHF blogs for years, and Ollie who can be found commuting through the Channel Tunnel from Paris to follow his beloved Arsenal. Finally we were delighted to get the considered views of Uplympian. Uplympian is a long-standing Holic whose input is always very wise and highly appreciated. He now resides in the West Country.  Geographically dispersed, but united by their passion for Arsenal Football Club, their answers were a very clear insight into fan sentiment as we draw towards the end of 2023.

a quick note from scruzgooner: i screwed up, and thought i’d forwarded one more piece from a far away gooner: depressedgooner took the time to respond as well, and i dropped the ball. please see his responses at the top of each section in italics, and do respond to any points he raises as you see fit. my apologies, dg!

Overall, are you pleased with the season so far?

Depressedgooner: Yes & no, obviously we are still well placed but had we been playing the scintillating football of last season (until the end) I think we could have been better positioned, Mikel has fixed things that were not broken and created problems where none existed previously, Aaron does not deserve the treatment he has received and neither does Havertz, negative and positive reinforcement on the wrong players if you ask me.

MMTWP: Many thanks for the chance to put my two pennys worth…and more importantly many thanks to both of you and all of the others that make Goonerholics Forever such a a go-to part of my life….

Just by the by, I live in Adelaide, Sarf Ostraya after emigrating to Perth, WA in 1973…we get exceptional coverage of the EPL here. However I haven’t been to see the Arsenal live since 2017…and sad to say, after my Mum’s passing in 2021 in Bexleyheath, won’t be returning. I worked in Aviation from 1973 until my retirement in 2016…so got back to UK on over 50 occasions…and went often to THOF…my brother (deceased 2013) had 2 season tickets…not sure if my nephews still have them. I have a wonderful family and have recently been blessed with 2 Grandkids….but on a parallel is Arsenal. I was born at Royal Northern (now demolished) on Holloway Road. There is only Arsenal….not that i had a choice…and of course that was never ever a consideration. Generatons of Arsenal supporters in my mob. I recall my days at Finchley County Grammar School shortly after that lot won their 2nd ever Div1 championship…I was the only AFC boy…everyone went for the mob with a chicken on top of a beachball….(I started this on 09 Nov but visits from my daughter & granddaughter from Melbourne, have stymied my progress…they are so lovely though).

I’m relatively pleased [with this season]…wishing for it all to come together..and very good signs vs Sevilla & Burnley…I believe we will prevail.

Uply: My feelings about the season so far is that it has been a veritable mixed bag. The fabulous exciting play from last season is mainly missing from the performances so far (with just a couple of notable exceptions).

The performances may be below last years level but the team spirit and work effort are most encouraging – the will to win quite evident.

Sancho: Reasonably so. I wasn’t expecting us to be doing what we did last season and thought we would be in and around third or fourth at this stage. Performance-wise we seem to have dropped a little and there seems to be less attacking entertainment.

BtM: It sounds rather churlish to even hint at a negative response to this question given that Arsenal are the only trophy winners so far having thumped Cheaty 115 in the Community Shield and are currently second in the League, only one point behind the same bunch.

However, my expectations for the season were high and I’m disappointed in the following regards:

• The team’s performance hasn’t reached the high level achieved last season. Injuries have been very significant and, in particular, those affecting Timber, Partey, Ødegaard and Jesús have had a huge impact.

• Arsenal should have three points more than the 27 registered on the PL Table. Chelsea’s keeper’s assault on Jesus’ head should, without a shadow of doubt, have resulted in a penalty which would (again without doubt) taken Arsenal to a 2-3 win and two more points. Likewise, Newcastle’s ‘goal’ should have been disallowed for at least one of three reasons thereby adding another point to our tally.

• Obtaining tickets is now a lottery (literally) and consequently my attendance at matches is on a downward vector, potentially to zero.

Ollie: The football may not always have been as entertaining as last season, but I am fairly pleased: it was always going to be tough to keep that lavel, it’s mid-November and we are only one point behind City.

What have been the things that have pleased you most?

Depressedgooner: That despite the tinkering needlessly we have still been able to maintain a semi decent run and get the defence a little more solidly focused despite the odd brain fart.

Uply: Despite the less impressive play the team is only one point behind the league leaders and have achieved a long-awaited victory against them in the league.

Ollie: Increased resilience, patient game plans, and the continued excellence of William Saliba.

Sancho: Beating the Manchester clubs and looking likely we will qualify through the group stages in Europe. Being in the mix at the top of the table.

BtM: 1. MA8’s attention to the detail of total team defensive football has paid real dividends (but hasn’t completely eradicated brain farts – Jorginho vs Spuds).

2. William Saliba’s sustained emergence as the most talented young centre back on the planet.

3. Declan Rice’s total football contribution to the team’s performance from day 1.

4. The team’s ability to grind out wins while playing at no more than 85% of potential.

MMTWP:  I am in awe of our back 4…Saliba, White, Gabi#6 and lately with Tommi rather than Zin. The latter has his strengths but sometimes he drops some clangers and is not a patch on TT in defence. I liked Tierney and whilst he doesn’t do what MA wants…he is a left back of some stature…I miss him.

What do you think of the impact of Declan Rice on the team?

Depressedgooner: Excellent, he looks like he has always been an Arsenal player, the price tag has not phased him like it has others and he makes it all look effortless, he still needs the team around him to match his level, for me he is currently our best most consistent player.

BtM: Quite outstanding. His ability to cover ground at speed to recover defensive challenges is matched only by his willingness to build dangerous attacking moves via intelligent passes or lung bursting runs forward with the ball at his feet. He sustains this from minute zero to minute 90 plus x. His passion and drive is a superb example to all.

He needs to work on his calm and confidence in situations where a shot at goal will bring higher rewards than an easy lay off to other colleagues.

MMTWP: Declan has been better than I possibly could have thought he would be….and I’m expecting him to go from strength to strength….and the captains’s armband seems inevitable.

Ollie: Slightly offset by the departure of Xhaka and injuries to Partey but huge. He is also one of the answers to the previous question, but as he has his own… I didn’t particularly watch West Ham last season so I was only going by what I heard, but I didn’t realise he was THAT good.

Sancho: Obviously he is playing well in every game. Would love him to find the back of the net more.

Uply: Declan Rice has been a superb signing — he is proving to be the player we had hoped for. He is putting dominant performances week after week and has the personality that embodies the spirit that Arteta desires.

How about Kai Havertz? Has he been a disappointment, or do you see signs that he may settle effectively into the team?

Depressedgooner: Even the odd sign if him being able to complete passes do not take away from what I would call a cowardice in making decisions to benefit himself or the team, how he keeps getting into the team baffles me, off the ball he does very little and with the ball he seems to do less, I’m tired of watching he languidly make his way into good postions only to watch him pass it to the opposing team or put it out of play, his confidence may be low but that suggests he does not have the character or temperament for the fight needed to be an Arsenal player.

Sancho: He’s not winning us over is he? Is it his languid style or is he playing in the wrong position? Hope he finds his groove soon.

MMTWP: …Havertz..I think there’s a real asset there. I’m just hopeful he’s given a chance to grow into it. Back in my day, I recall when the boo-boys saw Jon Sammels leave. He was a real favourite of mine. Also, it took DB10 a while to settle.

Uply: Kai Havertz was always a gamble which so far has not paid off. His time at Chav$ki was mainly underwhelming and this has continued with us. Arteta, along with others, is convinced there is a “player” there but he has continued to underwhelm. A gamble, yes, but the transfer fee paid and high salary seems a bad judgement call. We can only hope that Arteta can unlock the alleged potential before he is officially classified a dud.

Ollie: Disappointment, especially for the money (can’t avoid that I’m afraid, as with Pépé before him). There are a few good signs, but also persisting bad ones. I never give up hope, but I’m struggling to believe. He has some qualities, and takes some part but does he have the personality? While he’s not in the same position, I see him a bit as a sub-Giroud, hell even a sub-Chamakh given his squad number. The other day I found myself thinking every great time needs a mid-table level player who puts a lot of effort, but they don’t usually cost as much. The truth is I think he has the potential and quality, but he’s been in this league a few years and played a few matches with us even and improvement seems very slow. The jury’s out but belief is dwindling despite a few slightly improved performances in play.

BtM: He hasn’t been a disappointment to me because I had zero expectations of a significant contribution from him. I always liked when he played for Chel$ki against us because his contribution was meagre, his skill-set and confidence low, and the likelihood of him squandering a chance was much higher than the alternative of landing a killer blow.

Kai has delivered all of these characteristics at Arsenal and is in danger of eclipsing Pépé as one of our worst signings. He doesn’t exhibit the balance, body positioning, passing, ball winning, or lay-off abilities that PL football requires. I’m astonished that I’d rather have retained Xhaka.

The goalkeeping situation is dividing opinion. Do you agree with what Arteta has done, or would you like to see Ramsdale restored to the team?

Depressedgooner: I completely disagree, we see Raya making mistake after mistake and staying in the team, what did Ramsdale do wrong, walk in on Arteta and a goat in a compromising position?

Uply: The goalkeeping scenario is very concerning. The Raya loan signing was a real left field movement as most of us believe Ramsdale was a top keeper and crowd favourite. He made many outstanding saves during the season. The manager saw things differently — there were occasional losses of concentration — sometimes critical, and he also has a belief that Raya’s ball distribution is superior. I and many others have not seen this in his performances so far and believe Ramsdale has been shoddily treated. This has created an unnecessary pressure for all those involved.

Ollie: I don’t agree with what Arteta’s done, really, as I didn’t see the need for an ‘upgrade’ that seems marginal at best. I don’t think it’s an ‘or’ though. As even the league cup performance by Ramsdale was not that convincing. I found Raya a little better against Burnley than in previous matches. But Ramsdale will play the next League match as it’s against Brentford, and that might be the time to stake a claim. Doesn’t look like Mikel is ready to switch back though.

Sancho: Ramsdale wasn’t perfect by any means but he was doing well. I thought Raya was an excellent keeper at Brentford but he hasn’t shown enough thus far for Arsenal. I think he is stuck with picking Raya from now on and Ramsdale will leave in the Summer. A failed experiment but what do I know.

BtM: I like Ramsdale, but I didn’t like the end-of-last-season errors that cost us critical points. I think the Raya experiment (he’s still on loan) is a good one and, while I might have prioritised recruitment differently, I’m aligned with MA8’s desire to drive the highest level of performance in every position. I’ll be happy to see Ramsdale displace Raya if his performance merits it. Meritocracy in motion.

MMTWP: …I am firmly behind Ramsdale and whilst a GK’s role includes distribution and allegedly Raya (cos I haven’t seen that much of it) is meant to be exceptional with his feet. Pity he looks so unconvincing when the ball is in the air. Ramsdale is my man (belatedly better against Burnley).

Do you believe we can challenge for the title this season?

Depressedgooner: Sadly no, we still need a goalscorer who can get one at least every other game and we do not have one, I love Jesus and Nketiah both, the commitment is there but the finishing ability is not, also our bench is not fully premier league ready and our on field decision making still leaves a lot to be desired, I’d love some January signings that make my 3rd place finish a stupid prediction and we win the league but I just do not see it, too much money wasted on the wrong type of players in the last few windows for me.

MMTWP: …Yes and I think there is a good chance. Shitteh look more vulnerable than usual….and Ange’s lot, IMHO, don’t have a chance. I reminded my golfing Spud acquaintance that I was 11 yo when they last were #1 and its unlikely to change. I’m now 73!

Ollie: If we’re still in the hunt in March, I will believe. Right now, with injuries adding up, I think the squad will be a little short again.

Sancho: No. I think we will be in and around but not challenging

BtM: Yes, but only if Partey, Ødegaard, Jesús, Saliba and Saka remain fit. Long-term injuries to even two of these players will result in a top four outcome (absent January investment for a Partey replacement which I think is unlikely).

Uply: We are in a good position to challenge for the title despite the spluttering performances. We’ve already beaten the Oilers (finally) who appear more vulnerable right now. Of course they are known to pick up the pace in the run in. There is the potential for us to improve our performances further and, as long as injuries do not decimate the squad further, we can be there or thereabouts again.

Where (if at all) do we need to strengthen the side in the January window?

Depressedgooner: Striker, striker, striker, better midfield back up and get rid of Raya.

Ollie: Centre mid to replace Partey, probably a more physical out and out goalscorer as an option.

MMTWP: …I believe we need a proven goal-scorer. Eddie doesn’t do it for me. Jorginho just about doing his job but for how much longer. Rice needs to take over that role, sadly Partey seems past it. Overall i think the squad is top class. Toney…obviously a knob-head…everyone knows the rules….maybe?

Sancho: Depends on injury situation. I don’t want to see Ivan Toney at Arsenal particularly and certainly not for 60 to 80 m.

Uply:  There are 2 areas where the squad need strengthening: midfield and striker. Unfortunately Partey, a magnificent player when fit, has become a sick note and can no longer be relied on. He is badly missed. Talking of missing we need a striker who can convert more of the chances that are being missed. Jesus is a fabulous player but does not have a matching conversion rate. Eddie is good but not the top level this team needs.

BtM: Our ‘first team’ is excellent, but despite a high level of spend, our second string isn’t good enough to win the League. Havertz and Vieira are little more than passengers, irrespective of the level of competition. Nketiah’s game doesn’t have a Swiss knife component and nor is he sufficiently lethal to carry a title winning team as main striker. Sadly, ESR seems unable to overcome fitness issues.

Partey’s fitness is a super major issue. Saka is unlikely to be able to sustain the requirement on him to play 99.99% of the time.

I would be happy to see Havertz, Vieira and Partey released to fund an outstanding Partey replacement plus one.

Have you still got faith in our management team?

Depressedgooner: Mikel’s tinkering this season has tempered my belief, we needed to strengthen the team and I would argue they have made us weaker, we are quite predictable and have lost that exciting verve we had last season that was starting to worry opponents.

BtM: Totally. Although Arteta is still in the very early stages of his career as a coach, to my mind he is an outstanding leader, communicator and tactician. His team seems to support him well, particularly the set-piece tactician [Nicholas Jover]. I like and endorse his pitch-side passion during games.

MMTWP: MA worries me from time to time with his histrionics and his stubbornness (e.g., Raya)…but after Emery, and prior to that Wenger (who I believe stayed 8-10 years too long), he’s done a great job & clearly is enamoured with AFC…well why wouldn’t he be.

Sancho: Yes but Arteta is a bit stubborn

Ollie: Yes, entirely.

Uply: Arteta and Edu have moved the club on tremendously in the time they have been here. In this they have been well-supported by the Board financially in both acquisitions and moving on players who do not fit the project. Some of the acquisitions have been very beneficial and their failure rate no worse than other top clubs we are competing with. There is still room for improvement — Arteta’s occasional experiments are detrimental viz playing Partey at RB at the start of the season. Our record in knock-out competitions is very poor of late — a mixture of squad weaknesses and poor team selection.

And, finally: VAR arguments have cast a shadow over the season. Would you scrap VAR or, if you would retain it, what changes would you make to it?

Depressedgooner: Get it run by a true team of professional, not ex referees with a buddy system, it may not be corrupt but it is entirely incompetent, Sky of all people did a review of VAR last season, I think I linked to it in an older Goonerholics post that showed benefits and losses to teams caused by VAR and even if you took out our end of season collapse the points taken from us and the points given to city would have seen us crowned champions, it is hard not to see conspiracy when there have been similar incidents already this season.

I loved Mikels rant about VAR but he failed to follow it up just because we won, I would have used the Saka push to ask the PGMOL what was the difference between Saka lightly pushing with both hands and Gabriel being forced down with both hands and a knee in the back.

And a PS: All I want for Christmas is the return of the rip roaring free scoring never boring all action Arsenal!

BtM: I’ve always been a strong proponent of VAR. Technology has a hugely important role to play in achieving fairness through better and correct decision making. However, the current practitioners, both on-field and off-field have proved to be completely inadequate in their efforts to deliver excellence. Consequently, dead spaces have appeared during games and completely incorrect decisions with very negative impacts.

Recruitment, development and appropriate levels of (honest) remuneration need to be dramatically improved to elevate the VAR package. The standards set in rugby and cricket offer excellent signposts for improvements in both on-field capabilities of the referees and entertaining technological support.

If technology is available to determine whether the ball has crossed the line between the goal posts, extend its use to the full perimeter of the pitch. If credible, proven, automated off-side technology is available, use it.

MMTWP: VAR…well I’m not sure where to begin. Rugby Union seems to have done it so much better. Mike up the referees…and why do most of them hail from Oooop Norf? I dont like to think about corruption but I’ve no explanation to justify the “goal” by the Geordies….Tennis can rule within millimetres when the ball is out…why can’t the EPL…I reread the offside rule…and its clear that the Newcastle bloke was off-side and then the push on #6 Gabi….well as they say down here…blind Freddy could see it…2 hands on the back??? How do the PGMOL refs get jetted off to Saudi-land and then ref games of the Saudi-owned teams? We need some voices, à la David Dein, the hideous Fergie, and people with knowledge of the game to question what is going wrong. Deep down I expect there have been problems/corruption (call it what you like) going back to the 1800s…just ask any Spud fan about AFC getting into Div1 back in 1919 or whenever it was …So should VAR be scrapped? Not now, it’s too late. But make the technology better….there’s never an explanation…sometimes the ref gets called to the screen…often not…maybe they need a hand-held device/phone to quickly look at and not rely on some DH at Stockley Park to make an “assessment”. Overall the standard of refereering seems to be going backwards…how many times does Saka have to be kicked in any one game…the days of Chopper Harris, Norman “bites yer legs” Hunter, Dirty Johnny Giles, Billy Bremner, Tommy Smith and even our man Snout should be behind us but players consistently get away with foul play.

So my apologies for it being a bit rambling…Like all of you at Goonerholicsforever and many others elsewhere…I live and breathe Arsenal. Finally like many I was a critic of the takeover by Stan Kroenke but have now to acknowledge that IMO they’ve sat back, seen whats needed to be done and largely done it. Do I like the Yanks owning us..no…But others have Qatar, Saudia, UAE, China, Thailand…..but the Russians have gone…but whats next…sadly its not about football but about power and the dollar.

Uply: VAR – there is little wrong in the concept. The problem is with the utter incompetents who are implementing it. The training & operation is being run by a failed organisation (PGMOL) whose main driver appears to be protecting their mates officiating on the pitch. I also find it incredible that the major conflict of interest in which officials are paid major fees to referee matches in UAE and Saudi Arabia and participate in matches in which their state owned clubs in the EPL are playing. In any other organisation the conflict of interest would mean such activities would be banned.

Ollie: Too much to say…I would change the referees…on the pitch and in the VAR room.

Sancho: No. We all know it’s the right tool in the wrong hands. Make it so we can hear what is going on.

P.S. – A Nice to have

Timber not to have been injured in the first game!

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We are most grateful to our panel of Holics for their views which showed some of the thinking that Gooners share – the overall satisfaction with our form but with a feeling that we have not captured the swagger of last season, the delight with the impact that Declan Rice has made offset generally by frustration at the slow start from Kai Havertz. Opinions are divided on the goalkeeping situation (but there appears to be great sympathy for Ramsdale), and opinion is also divided on whether we can win the league, especially as there is no strong feeling about who we might be likely to sign in January. Overall there is no love for VAR despite a sense that the genie is out of the bottle and that the technology exists to facilitate better decisions.

Let us know what you think in the comments sections and how you think the club is positioned as we move towards the halfway mark of the season.