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HCZ_Reborn
20-03-2024, 06:45 PM
Where you say "it kind of makes sense that he gets enough game time so that either a Juventus or one of the Saudi clubs come sniffing…at a time during the summer where we absolutely do need to make player sales", well yes fine and then we sell him for whatever we can get - that's not contradictory to what i said about our needing to move him on - I never said we shouldn't give him game time in the meantime


I’d ditch Partey even on a free, your words

Mac76
20-03-2024, 08:22 PM
I’d ditch Partey even on a free, your words

sure, whichi is covered by 'whatever we can get for him' - if it's nothing so be it - realistically if he stays fit for the rest of the season maybe he's a £20m player but no more, probably less

HCZ_Reborn
21-03-2024, 07:30 AM
sure, whichi is covered by 'whatever we can get for him' - if it's nothing so be it - realistically if he stays fit for the rest of the season maybe he's a £20m player but no more, probably less

Fully fit he’s still our best midfielder. The only reason I’d want him gone because at 31 it’s clear the injuries are only going to become more and more commonplace.

So I reiterate, im glad you have no influence on our transfer comings and goings

Chippy
21-03-2024, 08:57 AM
Tomiyasu has signed a new long-term contract with us - hmm, good player but a bit injury prone...

https://www.arsenal.com/news/takehiro-tomiyasu-signs-new-long-term-contract

It is not a long term contract, it is a one year extension.

They have obviously looked at his injury prone time with us and are certainly hedging their bets.

Mac76
21-03-2024, 09:33 AM
It is not a long term contract, it is a one year extension.

They have obviously looked at his injury prone time with us and are certainly hedging their bets.

Read the headline of the article i posted, it literally says 'long-term contract' :haha:

WMUG
21-03-2024, 10:45 AM
Weird that they're not specifying the number of years, isn't they usually made public?

HCZ_Reborn
21-03-2024, 10:48 AM
Weird that they're not specifying the number of years, isn't they usually made public?

If it’s a one year extension then I suppose it would be dependent on when his original contract ran to. I would imagine that given he joined us in 2021 and if I looked it up…it would probably say he joined on a four year contract. And therefore a one year extension (If that is the case) would take him up till 2026

It also seems highly unlikely that the club would wait until he was less than a year into his current contract expiring before negotiating an update (given he’s 25/26 rather than in his thirties)

Chippy
21-03-2024, 12:15 PM
Read the headline of the article i posted, it literally says 'long-term contract' :haha:

Well, the headline is bollocks.

It is literally a two year year extension. Not really long term is it?

HCZ_Reborn
21-03-2024, 01:17 PM
https://x.com/now_arsenai/status/1770799318754005370?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Interesting

Mac76
21-03-2024, 02:40 PM
Well, the headline is bollocks.

It is literally a two year year extension. Not really long term is it?

well it's double the 'one year extension' you originally stated it was...

Mac76
21-03-2024, 02:43 PM
https://x.com/now_arsenai/status/1770799318754005370?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Interesting

Why?

Partey has already been back on the pitch for Arsenal and there's been noises about Tomi being nearly match fit for a few weeks now

I suppose there is some interest to be had in speculating as to whether they will both finish the game without having picked up another injury...

HCZ_Reborn
21-03-2024, 03:11 PM
I suppose there is some interest to be had in speculating as to whether they will both finish the game without having picked up another injury...

Yeah that’s pretty much what I was alluding to :lol:

Mac76
21-03-2024, 03:16 PM
Yeah that’s pretty much what I was alluding to :lol:

I'd say the odds are even at best...

Mac76
21-03-2024, 03:27 PM
Arsenal 'lost' the game 4-0 apparently, from reports Tomi and Partey seem to have miraculously survived the encounter...

HCZ_Reborn
21-03-2024, 03:44 PM
You’d think how do you lose 4-0 to QPR, but have to remember most of these will be youth players, and have no idea how much of the first team of QPR is playing. Presumably a few given most won’t be on internationals duty

WMUG
21-03-2024, 03:47 PM
Apparently those 2 were the only first team players so yeah, nothing to worry about.

Mac76
21-03-2024, 04:15 PM
totally, a meaningless result hence my saying 'lost'

If our youth team were up against seasoned pros fighting their way in the Championship, it's good practice

Mac76
23-03-2024, 11:09 AM
Only just seen that Saka's not playing for England, good news on the one hand, though obvs we need him better for Citeh - hopefully it's a Giggs-style 'injury' that will miraculously go away mid next week... :pray:

HCZ_Reborn
23-03-2024, 11:51 AM
Only just seen that Saka's not playing for England, good news on the one hand, though obvs we need him better for Citeh - hopefully it's a Giggs-style 'injury' that will miraculously go away mid next week... :pray:

I suspect so. Just as Kane is not playing tonight either

HCZ_Reborn
23-03-2024, 04:59 PM
So the Bear Traps have been laid, in a six week period we could be playing as many as 13 games

March 31st - Man City (A)

April 3rd - Luton (H)

April 6th - Brighton (H)

April 9th - Bayern Munich (H)

April 14th - Aston Villa (H)

April 17th - Bayern Munich (A)

April 20th - Wolves (A)

April 23rd - Chelsea (H)

April 28th - Tottenham (A)


April 30th/May 1st - Man City/Real Madrid (H)


May 4th - Bournemouth (H)


May 7th/8th - Real Madrid/Man City (A)


May 12th - Man United (A)

Letters
23-03-2024, 06:09 PM
Not too worried about any of the home games - maybe with the exception of Chelsea who are shite but you know they'll raise it for us. The cup may distract them though. The away games though... :lol: :ilt:

Mac76
23-03-2024, 07:17 PM
So the Bear Traps have been laid, in a six week period we could be playing as many as 13 games

March 31st - Man City (A)

April 3rd - Luton (H)

April 6th - Brighton (H)

April 9th - Bayern Munich (H)

April 14th - Aston Villa (H)

April 17th - Bayern Munich (A)

April 20th - Wolves (A)

April 23rd - Chelsea (H)

April 28th - Tottenham (A)


April 30th/May 1st - Man City/Real Madrid (H)


May 4th - Bournemouth (H)


May 7th/8th - Real Madrid/Man City (A)


May 12th - Man United (A)

I get they're not as close together but seem odd to list all that and leave out the last two games :lol:

Everton at home on 19 May - last game of the season

and CL final 1st June

That said I don't think we will make the CL final anyway

HCZ_Reborn
23-03-2024, 07:56 PM
I get they're not as close together but seem odd to list all that and leave out the last two games :lol:

Everton at home on 19 May - last game of the season

and CL final 1st June

That said I don't think we will make the CL final anyway

Well yes the point was to illustrate that should we make the semi final we’d be playing twice a week for a six week period

Marc Overmars
23-03-2024, 10:37 PM
It will end in tears at Spurs I’m predicting.

McNamara That Ghost...
24-03-2024, 11:22 AM
For them, yes.

Chippy
24-03-2024, 09:55 PM
It will end in tears at Spurs I’m predicting.

Fuck me! Thanks for that Mr Cheerful :p

Mac76
26-03-2024, 05:48 PM
Really disappointing to see Rice putting more pressure on White in this article, he should just be backing him whatever his decision, not saying he wants to change his mind

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/declan-rice-says-the-sky-is-the-limit-for-kobbie-mainoo-ahead-of-first-england-start/ar-BB1kyxKK

HCZ_Reborn
26-03-2024, 06:48 PM
Really disappointing to see Rice putting more pressure on White in this article, he should just be backing him whatever his decision, not saying he wants to change his mind

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/declan-rice-says-the-sky-is-the-limit-for-kobbie-mainoo-ahead-of-first-england-start/ar-BB1kyxKK

Why?

Trying to persuade someone to change their mind, is not a sign of disrespect for their decision

In Rice’s case it’s a sign of respect for White that he thinks England is missing out by not having him to call on

Mac76
26-03-2024, 09:59 PM
Why?

Trying to persuade someone to change their mind, is not a sign of disrespect for their decision

In Rice’s case it’s a sign of respect for White that he thinks England is missing out by not having him to call on

No, he's implying White's wrong to make himself unavailable, it leaves him more isolated, he should STFU and just back him

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 11:22 AM
No, he's implying White's wrong to make himself unavailable, it leaves him more isolated, he should STFU and just back him

Maybe he knows White better than you do. And maybe he thinks he wants to play for England but feels he’s being held back and wants to act as a mediator. Nothing about that demonstrates a lack of respect for what White is doing.

If White is determined to stick with his position, Rice I’m sure won’t push the matter. But if you’re friends with someone and you think they might benefit from changing their mind there’s no harm in trying to talk them round….if they are resolved and won’t change their mind…then you step back.

A friend of mine recently has been involved in a rather distressing dispute with people close to her (or were once close to her) and the police had originally handled it badly and she wanted to drop the case. I tried my best without being pushy to persuade her to wait a bit not because I knew she would have regretted it if she had just dropped it out of a sense of panic and mistrust. Would I have pushed too far if she was intent on dropping the case…no of course not…if someone is determined you respect their decision…and she did ultimately continue with the case…something she’s stated to me she feels so glad that she did now.

Having someone trying to persuade you is not an act of undermining unless you’re a narcissist like Trump who thinks you can never be wrong about anything. For all you know, White might be the kind of person who is open minded enough to take on a different perspective or way of thinking about the situation.

Mac76
27-03-2024, 11:34 AM
Maybe he knows White better than you do. And maybe he thinks he wants to play for England but feels he’s being held back and wants to act as a mediator. Nothing about that demonstrates a lack of respect for what White is doing.

If White is determined to stick with his position, Rice I’m sure won’t push the matter. But if you’re friends with someone and you think they might benefit from changing their mind there’s no harm in trying to talk them round….if they are resolved and won’t change their mind…then you step back.

My point is he's doing that in public, instead of talking quietly to White behind closed doors - by saying it in public he's unnecessarily putting more pressure on White

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 11:46 AM
Again unless you know what they’ve already spoken about privately, that’s little more than speculation

Mac76
27-03-2024, 11:52 AM
Again unless you know what they’ve already spoken about privately, that’s little more than speculation

what?

I'm talking about what he has said publicly and that I think he is wrong to do so - whatever he has said privately is irrelevant

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 12:03 PM
what?

I'm talking about what he has said publicly and that I think he is wrong to do so - whatever he has said privately is irrelevant

Are you really that lacking in understanding

What I’m saying is for all you know he could have spoken about this with White before hand and White is completely ok with him speaking about it in public when asked

Mac76
27-03-2024, 12:40 PM
Are you really that lacking in understanding

What I’m saying is for all you know he could have spoken about this with White before hand and White is completely ok with him speaking about it in public when asked

For what reason would he be? It just puts more pressure on him and perpetuates the story - if White still makes himself unavailable he will get even more crap for it if his own team mate is basically saying he's wrong

I must admit I do wonder what your reaction would have been if I'd had said Rice was right to do it - would you then have said he was wrong...?

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 02:15 PM
No I generally find if I agree with someone I don’t bother commenting

I don’t feel that strongly about this admittedly, but this idea that Rice would have said what he did without speaking to White is far fetched

But if there’s a public spat between the two I’ll admit I was wrong

Mac76
27-03-2024, 02:41 PM
I think the scenario you've been talking about is Rice opening a route back for White by making it look like he gets talked into rejoining the England camp, i.e. not a total u-turn

it's feasible, but a bit of a reach, Rice could have just as easily said that he hoped that the England camp could find a way to reach out to White, rather than putting it on him - after all it's all down to Holland not White IMO

anyway after the Euros i think Southgate will go - win or lose - and then White will be clear to come back as Holland would go too presumably

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 03:23 PM
I think the scenario you've been talking about is Rice opening a route back for White by making it look like he gets talked into rejoining the England camp, i.e. not a total u-turn

it's feasible, but a bit of a reach, Rice could have just as easily said that he hoped that the England camp could find a way to reach out to White, rather than putting it on him - after all it's all down to Holland not White IMO

anyway after the Euros i think Southgate will go - win or lose - and then White will be clear to come back as Holland would go too presumably

I think this is primarily what I am differing with you on, you tend to construct a narrative which you’re convinced is the most likely and then you work from that assumption to form other conclusions

I don’t know what the lay of the land is and I’ve offered possible alternatives because I don’t reach the automatic conclusion that by speaking up Rice is in Camp Southgate. I don’t think there even is a Camp Southgate, I don’t think Southgate has fallen out with White I think its more likely that he’s too weak to step in and address the issue between White and Holland

Plus nothing Rice said gave me the impression that he thinks White is overreacting or behaving unwisely, it’s more I’d like to try and persuade my Arsenal team mate to play for England again….because I think he would be a great asset for England like he is for Arsenal.

I don’t see that puts pressure on White, I think if he was worried about pressure he wouldn’t have removed himself from the England set up to begin with.

Again that’s speculative on my part, for what it’s worth I do think there’s a lot in your argument that White is waiting for Southgate and by extension Holland to fuck off.

I just don’t think White is going to feel sandbagged by this. I think it’s only Southgate that has done this to deflect from why White doesn’t get called up to the side. I think it’s not just Holland, I think White probably thinks why am I putting myself forward for selection when those useless cunts Trippier and Maguire get the nod over me.

He might even be prepared to put up with Holland being a cock

Mac76
27-03-2024, 03:59 PM
I think this is primarily what I am differing with you on, you tend to construct a narrative which you’re convinced is the most likely and then you work from that assumption to form other conclusions

I don’t know what the lay of the land is and I’ve offered possible alternatives because I don’t reach the automatic conclusion that by speaking up Rice is in Camp Southgate. I don’t think there even is a Camp Southgate, I don’t think Southgate has fallen out with White I think its more likely that he’s too weak to step in and address the issue between White and Holland

Plus nothing Rice said gave me the impression that he thinks White is overreacting or behaving unwisely, it’s more I’d like to try and persuade my Arsenal team mate to play for England again….because I think he would be a great asset for England like he is for Arsenal.

I don’t see that puts pressure on White, I think if he was worried about pressure he wouldn’t have removed himself from the England set up to begin with.

Again that’s speculative on my part, for what it’s worth I do think there’s a lot in your argument that White is waiting for Southgate and by extension Holland to fuck off.

I just don’t think White is going to feel sandbagged by this. I think it’s only Southgate that has done this to deflect from why White doesn’t get called up to the side. I think it’s not just Holland, I think White probably thinks why am I putting myself forward for selection when those useless cunts Trippier and Maguire get the nod over me.

He might even be prepared to put up with Holland being a cock

I think you're overdoing what I said, I just said it wasn't helpful

I'm not suggesting Rice is in 'Camp Southgate' i just think he's been a bit dumb/naive about saying what he said in public

As for White and pressure, he presumably didn't think Southgate would throw him to the wolves in the way he's done

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 04:33 PM
I’d remind you that before the reason came out you speculated that White just wasn’t that interested in playing for England because of his lack of interest in the game, which let’s be fair is in the ball park of the assumption Holland made about him.

And having read the full statement Rice gave again, he says he hopes he will play for England again but states that it’s his decision.


Also and I quote “Ben is such a good guy and an unbelievable footballer” . This is firstly a response to what he’s been asked rather than Rice deciding to intervene in the situation directly. And nothing he said suggested he didn’t support his decision, more just an affirmation that he’d like to see a footballer he likes and talent he respects play for England

I think whilst Southgate tried to throw White under the bus, I don’t think it’s worked. As despite the anticipated “White is a facking disgrace….its more a case of respecting his decision yet lamenting it because he’s better than a lot of the shite that gets picked over him.

Mac76
27-03-2024, 05:26 PM
I’d remind you that before the reason came out you speculated that White just wasn’t that interested in playing for England because of his lack of interest in the game

I don't at all remember saying that but if you can find it then fine - all i could find was where you said "it’s the pinnacle of your career to play for your country."


I then said "Maybe for you, maybe not for him?" but that's a long way from what you just described I said - anyway I was wrong because since it's emerged how pleased he publicly said he was when first picked for England

Again though, all irrelevant regarding Rice's comments

HCZ_Reborn
27-03-2024, 06:57 PM
I retract that then, it was indeed not you who said that

Conversations on here are running like colours and whites in a machine wash at 60. It was MO who attributed the whole not interested in football thing into the discussion

It was more setting up how you have a tendency to take a snapshot and make an entire narrative from it and assume that’s correct (a bit like how you did with the nothing video of Trossard) but given you didn’t say what I wrongly attributed to you that doesn’t work as an example of that.


But yeah basically I’m happy to go with nothing Rice says undermines White’s position…I think under the circumstances it was the best response he could have given and he covered all bases.


But as I say if White gets the hump over it (which in all likelihood we will never get to know about because White has tended to maintain radio silence over things)….i still say Rice did the right thing and maybe White needs to wind his neck in. But this is absurdly trespassing into the land of hypotheticals

dazthegooner
09-04-2024, 07:33 AM
On the day: 9 April 1988 The start of the notorious racial abuse of Paul Davis by Glenn Cockerill of Southampton. The issue boiled over on 17 September when Davis hit Cockerill and was banned for an unprecedented nine matches in an early case (possibly the first case) of using TV evidence. Remember that tremendous left hook Tyson would have been proud.

Letters
09-04-2024, 10:53 AM
That was a bit before I started following Arsenal closely but am obviously aware of it :d

dazthegooner
09-04-2024, 11:03 AM
Was 14 at the time remember it well probably all that was in the sports section for days (my dad always got The Sun for the racing) was lucky he only got a 9 game ban if Skysports had been around around he'd have got 9 years <_<

Chippy
09-04-2024, 12:05 PM
On the day: 9 April 1988 The start of the notorious racial abuse of Paul Davis by Glenn Cockerill of Southampton. The issue boiled over on 17 September when Davis hit Cockerill and was banned for an unprecedented nine matches in an early case (possibly the first case) of using TV evidence. Remember that tremendous left hook Tyson would have been proud.

No he wouldnt have :lol: It was an elbow to the face and Glen Cockerell wasnt even looking ;)

dazthegooner
09-04-2024, 12:18 PM
No he walked hehind him and got him with his left arm it's on youtube.

Letters
09-04-2024, 12:49 PM
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=803810377408695

HCZ_Reborn
19-04-2024, 09:12 AM
Sir Chips Keswick is no more

IBK
19-04-2024, 10:24 AM
Sir Chips Keswick is no more

Sad news.

HCZ_Reborn
29-04-2024, 09:23 AM
So just seen something on Twitter (not calling it X) that I’ve not previously seen

A Chelsea fan openly lamenting selling Havertz

dazthegooner
29-04-2024, 09:26 AM
They're probably still saying the same about Salah and DeBruyne.

21_GOONER_SALUTE
29-04-2024, 01:07 PM
So just seen something on Twitter (not calling it X) that I’ve not previously seen

A Chelsea fan openly lamenting selling Havertz

Not a very bright football fan if you ask me.

I mean yeah Jackson hasn't been great (like almost all their other signings), but I'd still take his industry and lower wages over Havertz anyday of the week.

Selling off Havertz and Mount were great deals for them, its the manner that they spent the money which is their problem

Letters
29-04-2024, 01:29 PM
I'm still not sure what I think about Havertz. I really want to like him but although he's improved it still feels like £60m was a big price for someone who hasn't been that prolific.

HCZ_Reborn
29-04-2024, 01:30 PM
Not a very bright football fan if you ask me.

I mean yeah Jackson hasn't been great (like almost all their other signings), but I'd still take his industry and lower wages over Havertz anyday of the week.

Selling off Havertz and Mount were great deals for them, its the manner that they spent the money which is their problem

Don’t know that I agree with that at all

I still wouldn’t have signed Havertz but no question at all that he has been far better than most of us assumed he’d be

Yesterday it wasn’t just the goal, it was the way he held up the ball and gave us that physical dimension. The only Chelsea player I’d probably take over Havertz is Cole Palmer

HCZ_Reborn
29-04-2024, 01:45 PM
I'm still not sure what I think about Havertz. I really want to like him but although he's improved it still feels like £60m was a big price for someone who hasn't been that prolific.

I think it’s unlikely Havertz is ever going to justify his transfer fee especially when you consider the money spent on Trossard, Odegaard etc but he’s been a very useful player this season of that there’s no question

Mac76
29-04-2024, 01:55 PM
Disagree, how much would we have paid for a striker that got nearly a goal a game and also contributed well overall (think of the pass to Saka yesterday)?

I think the money's turned out to be justified

Trossard was a bargain and Jorg and Kiwior good buys, although there will always be a question mark on why we didn't focus on them to start with instead of one (unconvincing) player in Mudryk, we'd have been chronically short this season without those three buys

21_GOONER_SALUTE
29-04-2024, 03:53 PM
Disagree, how much would we have paid for a striker that got nearly a goal a game and also contributed well overall (think of the pass to Saka yesterday)?

I think the money's turned out to be justified

Trossard was a bargain and Jorg and Kiwior good buys, although there will always be a question mark on why we didn't focus on them to start with instead of one (unconvincing) player in Mudryk, we'd have been chronically short this season without those three buys

So can I deduce from your responses, that as far as you and HCZ are concerned, we no longer need to splurge on a top striker, since Havertz is doing a more than adequate job so far?

HCZ_Reborn
29-04-2024, 04:14 PM
So can I deduce from your responses, that as far as you and HCZ are concerned, we no longer need to splurge on a top striker, since Havertz is doing a more than adequate job so far?

I don’t think there’s anything I’ve said that could lead you to that conclusion

We absolutely do need a striker. In fact all I’ve said is that Havertz has proven himself a useful addition to the team

21_GOONER_SALUTE
29-04-2024, 06:51 PM
I don’t think there’s anything I’ve said that could lead you to that conclusion

We absolutely do need a striker. In fact all I’ve said is that Havertz has proven himself a useful addition to the team

So if we do go out and spend real money on a top striker, where would Havertz play? Would it make sense to have both Jesus and him being our highest earners and warming the bench as "useful additions to the team"?

IMO if we are being serious about competing, we need to get Havertz off our books this summer, and thanks to the current media hype on his "contributions" it makes getting our "investment" back easier than it was 4 months ago. It goes without saying that we'd have recruited a top striker before that decision.....actually scratch that, if anyone threw silly money at him now we should just take it and move on.

HCZ_Reborn
29-04-2024, 07:36 PM
So if we do go out and spend real money on a top striker, where would Havertz play? Would it make sense to have both Jesus and him being our highest earners and warming the bench as "useful additions to the team"?

IMO if we are being serious about competing, we need to get Havertz off our books this summer, and thanks to the current media hype on his "contributions" it makes getting our "investment" back easier than it was 4 months ago. It goes without saying that we'd have recruited a top striker before that decision.....actually scratch that, if anyone threw silly money at him now we should just take it and move on.

Surely it would make far more sense to get Jesus and Nketiah off our books rather then a player who is actually producing for us

Marc Overmars
29-04-2024, 07:36 PM
I’m happy that he’s found a role for himself and delivered more than Jesus would have, but it’s still a square peg in a round hole that won’t stand the test of time. A striker has to be top of the shopping list this summer and I would also look for a right sided winger to compete with Saka as well.

If we can offload Jesus and buy someone like Isak I would be very happy.

Mac76
30-04-2024, 01:28 PM
I think having a choice of different types of striker is the ideal, with Kai being one and the other being an Eddie type but one who is at top-of-the-PL level rather than middle-of-the-Championship level

Mac76
01-05-2024, 11:54 PM
Is anyone else lying awake at 1am thinking "we could win the league"?

I know it's massively unlikely but I'm in 'Fever Pitch' mode and can't stop myself having those 'what if' thoughts

But that's what it's about, the belief, the hope, if it gets dashed so be it, but we're bloody close and it feels good :good:

(and yes I may have had a drink or two :))

Marc Overmars
02-05-2024, 03:46 AM
Is anyone else lying awake at 1am thinking "we could win the league"?

I know it's massively unlikely but I'm in 'Fever Pitch' mode and can't stop myself having those 'what if' thoughts

But that's what it's about, the belief, the hope, if it gets dashed so be it, but we're bloody close and it feels good :good:

(and yes I may have had a drink or two :))

We’re as close as we’ve been in 20 years but sadly because it’s out of our hands and a lot still needs to happen for it to swing our way, I’m not really that excited. Now if by some miracle City dropped some unexpected points, I’d be absolutely shitting it with excitement.

I know you get what you deserve in the end but I feel as though we’ve been better than City in the league this season so it’s horribly frustrating to not be above them right now.

Mac76
02-05-2024, 07:06 AM
Yeah generally (i.e. when I've had not had a drink or two) I've been feeling that way, but the Spuds game was such a big hurdle to clear that it's going to feel quite disappointing now, either if we now do drop points or if we don't and they win all their games - which history tells us is very likely

Anyway I'm off to get some aspirin...

Letters
02-05-2024, 08:24 AM
It is beginning to feel like a real possibility.
It always has been but with our run in and City and Liverpool both looking in the mood it seemed unlikely. We were always 3rd favourites. But now Liverpool have all but removed themselves from the equation and Arsenal have navigated the big banana skins. We still have Utd away - they're a mess and very beatable, but they'll definitely raise it against us. And the home games are banana skins, particularly Bournemouth. The main thing of course is it's not in our hands. And City aren't known for slipping at this stage of the season.
I think whatever happens I won't be too upset. It's been a brilliant effort. People can point to the Villa game. I'd point to the West Ham and Fulham ones. But you can do that in any season. If City do slip and we don't then it will be properly squeaky bum time.

Mac76
02-05-2024, 10:37 AM
I'd rather City won all their games than if they slip up and then, like after Liverpool-Palace, we do the same, that really would be unbearable

Letters
02-05-2024, 10:44 AM
I'd rather City won all their games than if they slip up and then, like after Liverpool-Palace, we do the same, that really would be unbearable

Yes. The weekend when Liverpool lost to Palace...and then we lost to Villa was pretty hard to take.
If we do our bit and it's not enough then so be it. I've said this all along. If City are going to win it then ok, but make the fuckers win it. Don't just hand it to them like last season.

IBK
02-05-2024, 11:18 AM
Disagree, how much would we have paid for a striker that got nearly a goal a game and also contributed well overall (think of the pass to Saka yesterday)?

I think the money's turned out to be justified

Trossard was a bargain and Jorg and Kiwior good buys, although there will always be a question mark on why we didn't focus on them to start with instead of one (unconvincing) player in Mudryk, we'd have been chronically short this season without those three buys

I agree with this.

Havertz's all round play has been as big a factor as his G's and A's in getting us to where we are. His athleticism has surprised me, and his fitness/availability is off the scale. Plus he has delievered in big games, and given the kind of money that teams have slurged for young or untested players recently, £60M looks like money well spent.

Havertz plays 2 roles in one, and is difficult to categorise, but this is also his strength.

Mac76
03-05-2024, 08:41 AM
This video is brilliant - some great moments, not least Ben White in the tunnel :lol: and THAT block from Gabriel... :good:

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1785647062194749549

Letters
05-05-2024, 03:56 PM
It’s a sign!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/c51nvy7yld2t

HCZ_Reborn
05-05-2024, 04:12 PM
It’s a sign!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/c51nvy7yld2t

Apparently Blackstenius has a boyfriend


Odd…for women’s football

Letters
05-05-2024, 04:13 PM
:haha:

dazthegooner
05-05-2024, 04:44 PM
Ah but is it a "Boyfriend"? :unsure:

HCZ_Reborn
05-05-2024, 06:33 PM
Ah but is it a "Boyfriend"? :unsure:

Well I don’t know how they identify, but certainly looks like a fella

Marc Overmars
09-05-2024, 01:57 PM
Jorginho has signed a contract extension.

HCZ_Reborn
09-05-2024, 03:30 PM
Jorginho has signed a contract extension.

Yeah I saw that. I think this will be a way of avoiding spending on a central midfielder. I think Partey will get a contract extension as well. Whilst Partey is a better footballer than Jorginho and Rice, it’s a massive gamble to depend on his fitness.

But that’s the situation we are in financially

Mac76
09-05-2024, 04:57 PM
It’s a sign!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/c51nvy7yld2t

The 'sign' is that they can beat Citeh away, whereas we can't - not sure that's grounds for optimism...

Mac76
09-05-2024, 04:59 PM
Jorginho has signed a contract extension.

Glad to see it, I think he's a really useful player who I gather is really good to have around the club

Probably does mean we move Partey on but if we can't rely on him it's for the best

Letters
09-05-2024, 05:47 PM
The 'sign' is that they can beat Citeh away, whereas we can't - not sure that's grounds for optimism...

Well you’re no fun! <_<

HCZ_Reborn
09-05-2024, 05:59 PM
Glad to see it, I think he's a really useful player who I gather is really good to have around the club

Probably does mean we move Partey on but if we can't rely on him it's for the best

I don’t think we will move on Partey. I doubt we can afford a replacement if we are looking to sign a striker and or a right sided midfielder.

Mac76
09-05-2024, 06:43 PM
I don’t think we will move on Partey. I doubt we can afford a replacement if we are looking to sign a striker and or a right sided midfielder.

one could argue we can't afford to keep him, given he's on good money but only plays about half a season

HCZ_Reborn
09-05-2024, 08:33 PM
one could argue we can't afford to keep him, given he's on good money but only plays about half a season

Well that’s the difference between what we can afford in terms of our prospects of challenging and what we can afford on a balance sheet.

It’s cheaper to keep a half fit Partey rather than sell him for a reduced fee, pay far in excess of the fee we receive to replace him and the wages which would match whatever Partey is on.

Partey is a player like fine China to be used on special occasions, I think he would be far more useful to us in the champions league than Rice or Jorginho where transitioning players can just run past them or exploit the former’s naivety at that level

dazthegooner
10-05-2024, 04:06 PM
Just see this article from The mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jamie-ohara-arsenal-tottenham-brady-32782191 :haha:

HCZ_Reborn
10-05-2024, 04:51 PM
Just see this article from The mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jamie-ohara-arsenal-tottenham-brady-32782191 :haha:

He’s a strange lad isn’t he

Without giving too much away he ended his playing career at a club very close to me

dazthegooner
10-05-2024, 05:05 PM
How many people will Google He's last club? :yikes: I won't I don't care :)

HCZ_Reborn
16-05-2024, 11:34 AM
Lot of chatter about Benjamin Šeško being our no1 summer transfer target. Just shy of 21…come through the Red Bull system (played for both Salzburg and Leipzig)

Slovenian

No idea if he’s any good

Mac76
16-05-2024, 01:20 PM
Lot of chatter about Benjamin Šeško being our no1 summer transfer target. Just shy of 21…come through the Red Bull system (played for both Salzburg and Leipzig)

Slovenian

No idea if he’s any good

The great thing about the internet is that there's, like, lots of information on it

https://www.transfermarkt.com/benjamin-sesko/profil/spieler/627442

HCZ_Reborn
16-05-2024, 02:03 PM
The great thing about the internet is that there's, like, lots of information on it

https://www.transfermarkt.com/benjamin-sesko/profil/spieler/627442

As someone who goes to watch a lot of football, you’d agree that watching a player play gives you a better idea of how good they are than just stats on a website yes?

Letters
16-05-2024, 05:11 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2qvqn03z4vo

Micky Tets :bow:

Niall_Quinn
16-05-2024, 07:05 PM
As someone who goes to watch a lot of football, you’d agree that watching a player play gives you a better idea of how good they are than just stats on a website yes?

It's a good sales pitch but the modern day morons aren't in the market. One YouBoot video, "banging" (as in godawful) "music", 3 minutes of highlights from a whole season of tip, tap, tip tap and every last one of the thieving bastards is a wifeworld beater.

HCZ_Reborn
17-05-2024, 10:15 AM
Fuck me it’s ten years since the 3-2 FA cup final over Hull

I was ridiculously nervous before that game. And so as it turns out were the players. Went feral when Ramsey struck the winner, almost broke the tv

Was no where near as nervous a year later…I just enjoyed the game

Marc Overmars
17-05-2024, 10:22 AM
Yeah my nerves were absolutely shredded after that, when they went 0-2 up I felt sick.

It was just the relief at the end of it all, 9 years without a trophy. Had a little tear in my eye, such a mental wave of emotions.

Pity Wenger couldn’t mount another title challenge but I’m glad he won the Cup a few times more before he signed off.

Mac76
17-05-2024, 10:37 AM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2qvqn03z4vo

Micky Tets :bow:

Win the league and then do the interview, not the other way around

Letters
17-05-2024, 11:11 AM
Yeah my nerves were absolutely shredded after that, when they went 0-2 up I felt sick.
They were pretty close to getting a third too :sick:

HCZ_Reborn
20-05-2024, 04:56 PM
https://x.com/afcstuff/status/1792567582001680819?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

HCZ_Reborn
24-05-2024, 11:11 AM
Did I mention how much I hate this terrible anthem

First of all don’t foist a song on people in the crowd…second of all if you’re going to ignore the first one don’t make it a load of mawkish shite

https://x.com/footysm/status/1793914861501747392?s=46&t=n1tnxEg6k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Letters
24-05-2024, 11:27 AM
I don’t actually think it’s that good a song but it has grown on me a bit and the fans seem to have adopted it.

At least it isn’t “Highbury Highs”

Mac76
24-05-2024, 11:32 AM
I don't like it and I didn't like it being foisted on us, I don't really sing it but at least it doesn't annoy me as much as it did when they first introduced it

Marc Overmars
24-05-2024, 11:38 AM
I don’t mind it tbh, catchy and seems to get the crowd engaged.

Anthems have to start somewhere and while this is obviously a bit corny you never know if it could snowball into something more iconic should we have a successful team in the coming seasons.

Mac76
24-05-2024, 11:49 AM
It's the 'whatever the weather' bit that really grates, a five-year-old could do better

Letters
24-05-2024, 11:52 AM
:lol:

Reminds me of a bit David Baddiel used to do about Bob Marley. How people go “oh he was such a genius”. No he wasn’t. “Iron, Lion, Zion”?! That’s just a load of words that happen to rhyme. What’s the next part “My name is Bry-on, I have a very nice tie-on”?

:d

HCZ_Reborn
24-05-2024, 02:28 PM
I don’t actually think it’s that good a song but it has grown on me a bit and the fans seem to have adopted it.

At least it isn’t “Highbury Highs”

I think you’ve either got a club anthem or you haven’t

Find it strange where some of the songs have originated. I’m forever blowing Bubbles comes from a New York novelty orchestra band in the 1910s

You’ll never walk alone is from a Gilbert and Sullivan musical

Marching on Together was just a single recorded for the 1972 fa cup final (which Leeds beat us in :sulk:) copying the England team who recorded Back Home in 1970

Mac76
24-05-2024, 02:40 PM
Just saying...:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUncUQn7P20

WMUG
24-05-2024, 02:46 PM
Fuck me it’s ten years since the 3-2 FA cup final over Hull

I was ridiculously nervous before that game. And so as it turns out were the players. Went feral when Ramsey struck the winner, almost broke the tv

Was no where near as nervous a year later…I just enjoyed the game

Caused a mini pile up in the crowd by accidentally knocking my dad over :lol:

Both trips to Wembley that season were thoroughly unenjoyable.

Villa was nicer as you say because the monkey was off our back.

WMUG
24-05-2024, 02:49 PM
As for the Angel, I get that it's corny but it's a genuine product of the community. People saw it online and told the club that it should be our anthem and the club listened, it wasn't foisted on us like that Elvis song.

And it's worked for that exact reason, the whole stadium gets up and belts it out just like YNWA because it came from the fans and I think it's a really valuable part of the club now.

HCZ_Reborn
24-05-2024, 03:06 PM
Just saying...:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUncUQn7P20


You know something. Emirates stadium should have kept up playing this song, after the home team scored, but it was just a Covid thing

Letters
24-05-2024, 03:14 PM
Just saying...:

Yeah, but that was written by Jimmy Hill, so…

WMUG
24-05-2024, 03:21 PM
You know something. Emirates stadium should have kept up playing this song, after the home team scored, but it was just a Covid thing

I was so worried they'd do that :lol:

Goal music can fuck off, in general. Crowd noise is enough.

Marc Overmars
24-05-2024, 03:34 PM
If it’s something really short, sharp and catchy it can work. Always sounds fun hearing a crowd bop along to it.

Bayern’s is a little bit annoying though. :lol:

HCZ_Reborn
24-05-2024, 03:40 PM
If it’s something really short, sharp and catchy it can work. Always sounds fun hearing a crowd bop along to it.

Bayern’s is a little bit annoying though. :lol:

See I like the Bayern can can

Marc Overmars
24-05-2024, 03:47 PM
I think Rangers and Celtic have had some good ones in recent seasons. Some cheesy pop anthems with an easy beat to sing along to always sounds great to me especially if you’re about 5 pints in at the ground. :lol:

Letters
26-05-2024, 07:51 AM
Thomas! Right at the end!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmUiHof01l4

Mac76
26-05-2024, 05:36 PM
It's a great doc that, worth gettign if you haven't already

Letters
26-05-2024, 05:52 PM
I have, and it is.
I also have the DVD of the whole game which, honestly, was a bit boring.
We couldn’t afford to go behind, they could afford to draw so it was all a bit cagey.
Got better after we scored and the finale speaks for itself.
Sky can stick their “Agueroooo” up their arse

HCZ_Reborn
26-05-2024, 07:03 PM
I have, and it is.
I also have the DVD of the whole game which, honestly, was a bit boring.
We couldn’t afford to go behind, they could afford to draw so it was all a bit cagey.
Got better after we scored and the finale speaks for itself.
Sky can stick their “Agueroooo” up their arse

Got better but not much better. Very stop start affair. The actual first game of the season at Highbury which finished 1-1 was a much better game, far more frenetic end to end contest

Letters
30-05-2024, 12:02 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c288wml7y13o

:hug:

HCZ_Reborn
01-06-2024, 08:10 AM
Today is five years since Spurs played in the Champions League final (and fortunately lost)

It’s also five years since Jose Antonio Reyes died in a car crash

Mac76
01-06-2024, 08:15 AM
Today is five years since Spurs played in the Champions League final (and fortunately lost)

It’s also five years since Jose Antonio Reyes died in a car crash

Obvs the Reyes incident was awful

On the Spuds thing, that was not as awful but at the time was dreadfully stressful, I didn't watch or check the score, I eventually foumd out the next morning and was so relieved

I still think there should be a statue of Klopp outside the Emirates for saving us - and I'm only half joking...

dazthegooner
01-06-2024, 08:43 AM
Obvs the Reyes incident was awful

On the Spuds thing, that was not as awful but at the time was dreadfully stressful, I didn't watch or check the score, I eventually foumd out the next morning and was so relieved

I still think there should be a statue of Klopp outside the Emirates for saving us - and I'm only half joking...

Yep I myself also waited till the next morning to see the result and when I saw it made my fooking day :)

HCZ_Reborn
01-06-2024, 08:44 AM
I was never that concerned, because at no time did it ever even vaguely cross my mind that they would or could win.

I remember watching the game and even though between the two goals, Spurs had lion share of possession they really did nothing with it.

I was disappointed that they made the final, but that was mainly because I felt Ajax deserved to go through to the final.

Letters
01-06-2024, 06:03 PM
Liverpool were obviously favourites but having somehow blundered their way through to the final I was terrified that they’d win the thing :sick:.
Really didn’t bear thinking about.
I was on a work trip to Edinburgh when the semi final second leg was going on.
Saw it was 2-0 to Ajax as we were about to take off. As we landed I took my phone off airplane mode, checked and thought “oh fuck OFF!”.
I was on the world’s worst stag do during the final. Was coming home as the game was going on - had heard it was 1-0 before I left. The M25 was down to one lane at one point and I was at a standstill. I knew the game was over so I checked my phone, thought “oh thank fuck” and drove the rest of the way home feeling a little happier.

Reyes. It was sad, but wasn’t he drunk and speeding? So I’m a little less sympathetic than I initially was. Still a sad waste of a young life though

HCZ_Reborn
01-06-2024, 07:21 PM
Liverpool were obviously favourites but having somehow blundered their way through to the final I was terrified that they’d win the thing :sick:.
Really didn’t bear thinking about.
I was on a work trip to Edinburgh when the semi final second leg was going on.
Saw it was 2-0 to Ajax as we were about to take off. As we landed I took my phone off airplane mode, checked and thought “oh fuck OFF!”.
I was on the world’s worst stag do during the final. Was coming home as the game was going on - had heard it was 1-0 before I left. The M25 was down to one lane at one point and I was at a standstill. I knew the game was over so I checked my phone, thought “oh thank fuck” and drove the rest of the way home feeling a little happier.

Reyes. It was sad, but wasn’t he drunk and speeding? So I’m a little less sympathetic than I initially was. Still a sad waste of a young life though

So reading about Reyes’ accident now. He had first of all been reported to be travelling at 220km an hour

But apparently that was debunked and he was going between 69 and 81mph so over the national speed limit in this country but no where near as fast as was being claimed

And there was apparently a tyre/steering failure on the car

Letters
01-06-2024, 08:18 PM
So reading about Reyes’ accident now. He had first of all been reported to be travelling at 220km an hour

But apparently that was debunked and he was going between 69 and 81mph so over the national speed limit in this country but no where near as fast as was being claimed

And there was apparently a tyre/steering failure on the car

I’m interested where you got that lower speed.
I’ve found multiple sources which claim he was speeding.

Mac76
02-06-2024, 08:10 PM
:lol:

https://dailycannon.com/2024/06/adarabioyo-arsenal-tweet/

Letters
02-06-2024, 08:45 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4nne59wy92o

Kevin Campbell in hospital

HCZ_Reborn
03-06-2024, 02:04 PM
I’m interested where you got that lower speed.
I’ve found multiple sources which claim he was speeding.

Wikipedia in honesty

I’m not for a second saying he wasn’t reckless. Maybe that some of the immediate reports were a bit shall we say dramatic

Mac76
04-06-2024, 07:28 AM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4nne59wy92o

Kevin Campbell in hospital

Sad to see, all best wishes to him

Mac76
12-06-2024, 12:04 PM
Kiwior... :bow:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GPy3C0IWQAANjUt?format=jpg&name=medium

Letters
15-06-2024, 09:21 AM
Kevin Campbell has died :( :rose:

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1911547/Kevin-Campbell-dead-Arsenal-Everton/amp

Genuinely quite sad about this one.
Never quite a hero like Smith or Ian WWW, but a good player for us back in the day.

dazthegooner
15-06-2024, 09:27 AM
Yeah just seen the news RIP :rose:

Marc Overmars
15-06-2024, 09:51 AM
That’s so sad. RIP :rose:

McNamara That Ghost...
15-06-2024, 10:25 AM
Ah that one hurts.

HCZ_Reborn
15-06-2024, 10:32 AM
Terrible. RIP

Letters
15-06-2024, 03:42 PM
https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/15/ian-wright-fights-back-tears-paying-tribute-former-arsenal-teammate-kevin-campbell-21041571/

:upset:

HCZ_Reborn
15-06-2024, 04:15 PM
https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/15/ian-wright-fights-back-tears-paying-tribute-former-arsenal-teammate-kevin-campbell-21041571/

:upset:

Not a surprise really, Wrighty and Campbell both South London boys, probably would have been close when at Arsenal and stayed that way even after Campbell left. And Campbell by all impression seems to have been genuine nice guy

Mac76
15-06-2024, 09:04 PM
Only just seen this, very sad

RIP

Niall_Quinn
16-06-2024, 07:24 PM
Only just seen this, very sad

RIP

Really? Why? Tell me why it is sad. You mean sad, just because because, or sad because there's some sort of personal reason behind it? Me, I don't give a damn, like almost every other human on the planet. I don't wish his family ill, but OI don't actually care. COULD we have a better world if wets just stopped being so fucking insincere? I wonder.

HCZ_Reborn
16-06-2024, 10:02 PM
Really? Why? Tell me why it is sad. You mean sad, just because because, or sad because there's some sort of personal reason behind it? Me, I don't give a damn, like almost every other human on the planet. I don't wish his family ill, but OI don't actually care. COULD we have a better world if wets just stopped being so fucking insincere? I wonder.

You’re partly right. I certainly won’t give a fuck when you die from cirrhosis of the liver

In fact given the borderline suicidal nihilism of your tone at times, it might even be a deliverance for you

Letters
17-06-2024, 10:25 AM
Really? Why? Tell me why it is sad.
Normal humans feel a connection to people they don't know personally, usually because they admire their work or their association with a sports team they support. I hope that helps. If you genuinely can't understand that or never experience it yourself then there is actually something wrong with you.

And that doesn't mean that anyone here is stricken with grief and inconsolable. That and indifference are not the only two options.
People of a certain age, myself included, remember him fondly and are thus a bit sad he died, especially as it was so young. That's it.
If you genuinely don't get that then you probably need to see someone.
If you do and are just pretending not to then why bother?

HCZ_Reborn
18-06-2024, 08:01 AM
Wolves at home is our first game of the season.

dazthegooner
18-06-2024, 08:03 AM
And after the international break we have trips to the spuds and Man C115y

HCZ_Reborn
18-06-2024, 08:06 AM
And after the international break we have trips to the spuds and Man C115y

Yeah I saw that, as bad as that is…at least we don’t have to play those fixtures right at the end of the season

Although our penultimate away game is at Liverpool

Marc Overmars
18-06-2024, 08:06 AM
We’ve got Villa, City and Spurs all away in the first 5 games.

Trip to Anfield is the third last game too so that will be interesting if there’s a chance of the title again.

dazthegooner
18-06-2024, 08:19 AM
Well we've gotta be in it to win it, and we've should on our day we can beat anyone. Will be interesting to see who or if we sign (well anyone that could start matches anyway)

Letters
18-06-2024, 08:21 AM
Yeah I saw that, as bad as that is…at least we don’t have to play those fixtures right at the end of the season

Although our penultimate away game is at Liverpool

The run in is more important and ours looks pretty good. Liverpool away the only really difficult fixture.

Mac76
18-06-2024, 10:42 AM
the last game is away, that's a shame, we've been quite lucky with that in the last few seasons, I think most of them have been home games

HCZ_Reborn
18-06-2024, 11:32 AM
The other thing to point out is that we play away against all the other London teams first

Spurs then Chelsea then West Ham then Fulham then Palace then Brentford

WMUG
18-06-2024, 11:48 AM
Thank fuck we don't have to play Spurs away in the run in. I think it's been over a decade since the last time that was the case.

dazthegooner
18-06-2024, 01:20 PM
Just seen that Manure are starting at home for the eighth consecutive season. How’s that worked for them? :)

Letters
24-06-2024, 04:31 PM
https://x.com/TomLarkinSky/status/1805167841060004337

HCZ_Reborn
27-06-2024, 09:17 AM
https://x.com/TomLarkinSky/status/1805167841060004337

I’m bored enough to pose the question. Who is Arsenal’s greatest ever Midfielder?

I can’t look past Patrick Vieira. Though Robert Pires would also be a consideration

Letters
28-06-2024, 07:32 AM
Roy Keane tbh

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ZhDYR5cVD3g

HCZ_Reborn
28-06-2024, 08:37 AM
Roy Keane tbh

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ZhDYR5cVD3g

Ongoing bromance between Wrighty and Keane

Mac76
28-06-2024, 09:44 AM
Ongoing bromance between Wrighty and Keane

The most disappointing thing about Wright is that he will even talk to Keane - the guy's a grade A c***

But with celebs there's no enemies, they're all one big gang who are in it to maximise their brand - with his pies etc we have to face the facts that it's who Wright is now, it doesn't lose him his Arsenal legend status but that's the past, he's just one more celebrity now

Marc Overmars
28-06-2024, 10:27 AM
To be fair, I think Wrighty and Keane are genuinely good friends and I think that’s why they’re so popular because their relationship is natural.

HCZ_Reborn
28-06-2024, 11:31 AM
The most disappointing thing about Wright is that he will even talk to Keane - the guy's a grade A c***

But with celebs there's no enemies, they're all one big gang who are in it to maximise their brand - with his pies etc we have to face the facts that it's who Wright is now, it doesn't lose him his Arsenal legend status but that's the past, he's just one more celebrity now

Maybe because making enemies with people is a bit childish and it’s redolent of the problems we have in our country right now

Keane was a cunt for what he did to Alfie Haaland, I think he’s also incredibly self important and there’s a bit of the bully in him in that you can tell that certain other pundits are intimidated by him


But unless you’re going to tell me you know the guy in real life, you only know what you’ve seen on the football pitch and interviews he gives. What you actually find with a lot of people who are pally on screen is that they either don’t like each other or don’t talk at all when the cameras are not running. I think Wright for whatever reason genuinely likes Keane and vice versa. I don’t see how that’s disappointing or affects anyone else in any way

HCZ_Reborn
28-06-2024, 11:32 AM
To be fair, I think Wrighty and Keane are genuinely good friends and I think that’s why they’re so popular because their relationship is natural.

It’s a bit of an odd couple friendship but I agree I do think it’s genuine

Mac76
28-06-2024, 12:19 PM
To be fair, I think Wrighty and Keane are genuinely good friends and I think that’s why they’re so popular because their relationship is natural.

sure, but again that's disappointing as i can't understnad how anyone can be friends with someone who was a complete psycho and if he hadn't been playing for Ferguson's Man U would have been sent off on a very regular basis for injuring or attempting to injure fellow players

HCZ_Reborn
28-06-2024, 12:32 PM
sure, but again that's disappointing as i can't understand how anyone can be friends with someone

Well we will add it to the list of things you seem not to understand

:d


This is the kind of endless moralising I was referring to in the other thread by the way, in your case it seems to transcend the political

Mac76
28-06-2024, 09:05 PM
Well we will add it to the list of things you seem not to understand

:d


This is the kind of endless moralising I was referring to in the other thread by the way, in your case it seems to transcend the political

Yes sorry I'm still struggling with the idea that I alone seem not to be allowed to express an opinion on this messageboard

I'll try to get the hang of it I promise

HCZ_Reborn
29-06-2024, 07:01 AM
Yes sorry I'm still struggling with the idea that I alone seem not to be allowed to express an opinion on this messageboard

I'll try to get the hang of it I promise

Not allowed?

Who is stopping you?

People criticise each other’s opinions on here all the time.

I personally just find it bemusing….apart from anything else that you’d even care that much to begin with

Then again that’s something that I don’t understand so I guess we are even

Mac76
01-07-2024, 02:19 PM
Just rang the Arsenal box office about something and got the recorded message saying there was such 'high demand' to speak with the box office that they couldn't even let me join a queue - really? at 3pm on a Monday afternoon off-season??

BS :angry:

Chippy
02-07-2024, 11:56 AM
Just rang the Arsenal box office about something and got the recorded message saying there was such 'high demand' to speak with the box office that they couldn't even let me join a queue - really? at 3pm on a Monday afternoon off-season??

BS :angry:

There is a rumour that we will be extending the Emirates capacity to 75,000.

We will probably need another phone receptionist to take the additional calls! :lol:

Letters
02-07-2024, 12:35 PM
There is a rumour that we will be extending the Emirates capacity to 75,000.

We will probably need another phone receptionist to take the additional calls! :lol:

I remember when we were building The Emirates people on here were saying it wasn't possible to expand.
I said at the time I'd be surprised if there wasn't some ability to do that built into the designs, but I thought I read that there was no ability to do that.

WMUG
02-07-2024, 01:13 PM
I seem to remember there being some scope to reduce the size of the seats to fit more in.

The issue is that Islington Council won't allow it because of the strain it'd put on the local transport network.

HCZ_Reborn
02-07-2024, 01:24 PM
I seem to remember there being some scope to reduce the size of the seats to fit more in.

The issue is that Islington Council won't allow it because of the strain it'd put on the local transport network.

Plenty of stations it’s just of course that two of them are not fit for purpose on match days (Holloway Road and Drayton Park)

I imagine extra demand could justify putting in a proper set of stairs at Drayton Park, but I imagine it would also mean having to extend the length of the platform to prevent overcrowding etc

Letters
02-07-2024, 02:09 PM
I seem to remember there being some scope to reduce the size of the seats to fit more in.

The issue is that Islington Council won't allow it because of the strain it'd put on the local transport network.

At the time we were building the place* I remember hearing we'd given the council or TFL some money to improve some of the stations around the stadium and the money disappeared. Possibly not true. But as HCZ says, the transport links around The Emirates are pretty good. They're loads better than Wembley. We have Finsbury Park, Arsenal, Holloway Road and Caledonian Road all walkable on the Piccadilly Line. Finsbury Park and Highbury and Islington on the Victoria and some of the above and Drayton Park on overground lines. Some of those stations could do with upgrades but I've never understood why transport would be a limiting factor given the capacity at Wembley which has far poorer transport links.

Letters
02-07-2024, 02:13 PM
*2006 by the way, holy shit it's going to be 20 years soon. Where has that gone?!
(I forgot to add the asterisk bit above!)

dazthegooner
02-07-2024, 06:59 PM
When it comes to bad transport links in London you can’t get any worse than the O2 in Greenwich, I worked on the Thames Clippers when Michael Jackson was supposed to play there we had no idea how we would have copied if it went ahead.

Letters
02-07-2024, 07:14 PM
I’ve never found getting away from there too bad actually.
The transport links are poor, but the capacity is pretty small compared to a big stadium.

Had tickets to the This is It tour.
I then went to see Derren Brown one evening, came out of the theatre to find a text from a mate telling me that it looked like my concert might not go ahead. This was before news apps which pushed news to you instantly, or before I had them anyway.
So I messaged my mate back asking if Jackson had been taken ill or something and he replied, and I quote:
“He’s dead, he’s dead, you know it.”

<_<

Letters
04-07-2024, 12:41 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ng9zvd9rno

Hmm. That doesn't sound great.

HCZ_Reborn
04-07-2024, 12:55 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ng9zvd9rno

Hmm. That doesn't sound great.


Sounds pretty fucking awful, poor bastard. I hope his family don’t spend years having to fight for comprehensive answers

Chippy
18-07-2024, 11:07 AM
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40587670/inspired-africa-arsenal-2024-25-away-kit

What about the English and Irish heritage? :shrug:

HCZ_Reborn
18-07-2024, 12:44 PM
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40587670/inspired-africa-arsenal-2024-25-away-kit

What about the English and Irish heritage? :shrug:

Or the Mediterranean and South Asian heritage, could have had a silhouette of a woman being stoned to death for adultery on the shirt

21_GOONER_SALUTE
18-07-2024, 12:51 PM
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40587670/inspired-africa-arsenal-2024-25-away-kit

What about the English and Irish heritage? :shrug:

I don't like the look...they should have done something a bit more understated and classy. Though the nod to the continent is nice though, seeing as half the overseas fanbase (in my experience) is probably from there.

Niall_Quinn
18-07-2024, 08:25 PM
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/40587670/inspired-africa-arsenal-2024-25-away-kit

What about the English and Irish heritage? :shrug:

Arsenal really is a scum operation. Constantly soaking its fans and feeding them a shit sandwich in return. Much unlike the club that was run by people who aren't utter cunts. I wish this new crop maximum ill. But that's not bias, I wish every PL club ill because they really are the worst of the worst, excluding all the others who are actually worse. So many bad people out there. So many found a home at Arsenal.

Meanwhile, what's this about the kit? Don't know anything about it.

The Wengerbabies
19-07-2024, 12:38 AM
I don't like the look...they should have done something a bit more understated and classy. Though the nod to the continent is nice though, seeing as half the overseas fanbase (in my experience) is probably from there.

Understated and classy wouldn't be representative of African culture though.

It looks like a training kit.

Better than last year's yellow monstrosity at least.

Chippy
19-07-2024, 07:33 AM
Arsenal really is a scum operation. Constantly soaking its fans and feeding them a shit sandwich in return. Much unlike the club that was run by people who aren't utter cunts. I wish this new crop maximum ill. But that's not bias, I wish every PL club ill because they really are the worst of the worst, excluding all the others who are actually worse. So many bad people out there. So many found a home at Arsenal.

Meanwhile, what's this about the kit? Don't know anything about it.

I agree. Scum operation at times and an agenda against the original roots of the club. Maybe it is just a tick box exercise?

HCZ_Reborn
19-07-2024, 07:48 AM
I agree. Scum operation at times and an agenda against the original roots of the club. Maybe it is just a tick box exercise?

Or maybe it’s just thoughtless diversity pushing with the only agenda being making money, whilst convincing themselves that they are being socially conscious.

Chippy
19-07-2024, 07:57 AM
Or maybe it’s just thoughtless diversity pushing with the only agenda being making money, whilst convincing themselves that they are being socially conscious.

Whatever it is, I dont really like it.

Herbert Chapman would be turning in his grave.

Mac76
19-07-2024, 08:04 AM
Is this where I remind everyone that we are all ultimately descendents of people from Africa?

Or that there's nothing wrong with celebrating a particular part of British culture at a particular time?

Or that choosing to take the time to go on a message board and attack something like this, no matter what excuse you claim to have for doing so, ultimately says more about you than anything else?

Oh and btw I like it and may buy one...

Chippy
19-07-2024, 12:34 PM
Is this where I remind everyone that we are all ultimately descendents of people from Africa?

Or that there's nothing wrong with celebrating a particular part of British culture at a particular time?

Or that choosing to take the time to go on a message board and attack something like this, no matter what excuse you claim to have for doing so, ultimately says more about you than anything else?

Oh and btw I like it and may buy one...

I have no excuse for anything I say, it is called free speech (well, for the time being at least).

What you spend your money on is up to you.

HCZ_Reborn
19-07-2024, 01:22 PM
Is this where I remind everyone that we are all ultimately descendents of people from Africa?

Or that there's nothing wrong with celebrating a particular part of British culture at a particular time?

Or that choosing to take the time to go on a message board and attack something like this, no matter what excuse you claim to have for doing so, ultimately says more about you than anything else?

Oh and btw I like it and may buy one...


Culturally most of of the UK’s black population is West Indian (although of course the reason for this was the slave trade took them to the Caribbean) rather than directly from Africa (you do of course get people from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana)

The main issue with this, is all the cultural enrichment stuff is largely about liberal middle class guilt than anything

Ajax produced a Jamaican style kit a year or so ago, which was to do with the fact that the fans adopted Bob Marley’s “Three little Birds” as the club anthem. That I quite liked as it was appealing across the fan base

What we are doing by contrast seems patronising and self congratulatory

Mac76
19-07-2024, 01:58 PM
Culturally most of of the UK’s black population is West Indian (although of course the reason for this was the slave trade took them to the Caribbean) rather than directly from Africa (you do of course get people from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Ghana)

The main issue with this, is all the cultural enrichment stuff is largely about liberal middle class guilt than anything

Ajax produced a Jamaican style kit a year or so ago, which was to do with the fact that the fans adopted Bob Marley’s “Three little Birds” as the club anthem. That I quite liked as it was appealing across the fan base

What we are doing by contrast seems patronising and self congratulatory

I think my point is, people can either clap, or if not then nod, and move on OR they choose it to be something to posture about on a message board (a kind of inverted virtue signalling if you like) when the reality is it's totally harmless

HCZ_Reborn
01-08-2024, 01:44 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm5241yd1r7o

If he doesn’t do interviews in patois or at least end every sentence with man/mon then I just have to wonder if his heart is still in it

Letters
01-08-2024, 02:14 PM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm5241yd1r7o

If he doesn’t do interviews in patois or at least end every sentence with man/mon then I just have to wonder if his heart is still in it

:lol: I'm expecting blackface and a dreadlocks wig.

HCZ_Reborn
01-08-2024, 02:24 PM
:lol: I'm expecting blackface and a dreadlocks wig.

Wagwan

Letters
01-08-2024, 03:06 PM
Wagwan


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb72148xQco

HCZ_Reborn
01-08-2024, 04:38 PM
I do love Trading Places


https://youtu.be/PRi0FT8uYMY?si=6cKChHm0tIax4GV9

Mac76
02-08-2024, 07:59 AM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm5241yd1r7o

If he doesn’t do interviews in patois or at least end every sentence with man/mon then I just have to wonder if his heart is still in it

He's taking his wife with him apparently, she's going of her own accord :rimshot:

HCZ_Reborn
02-08-2024, 08:06 AM
He's taking his wife with him apparently, she's going of her own accord :rimshot:


https://youtu.be/rwy07azI8nc?si=nXtS3F178jsXDqkZ

Mac76
08-08-2024, 11:43 AM
Was at the game against Levekusen last night - although a friendly we played some good stuff, especially in the first half before all the subs

Jesus was sharp though characteristically (and literally) all over the place, Leo was also sharp as was dare-i-say-it Zin, did well for his goal but was still pretty bad defensively

really enjoyed seeing Lewis-Skelly (not least because he replaced Zin) who looks good at LB, also Nwaneri good in midfield, Rice was lively at left 8 when he came on, Havertz was involved but even more erratic than usual, Odegard didn't look fully up to speed

A few other kids got some minutes but not enough to leave much of an impression.

Bit of a funny atmosphere and I got annoyed when people started a Mexican wave in the second half - really insulting to those young players and served the crowd right when we then conceded

Still it was promising in some ways, was sorry to not see Califiori and a bit surprised Timber wasn't even on the bench - not sure if he's injured again?

can't complain with 4-1 though

Xhaka :pal:

HCZ_Reborn
08-08-2024, 12:21 PM
Back end of last season Jesus had a knee operation I think it was, and apparently he’d been carrying this injury and it was responsible for poor form. I’m always skeptical of such claims, especially as half the problem with him wasn’t looking unfit it was tactical positioning but given we aren’t going to sell him I am hopeful if not optimistic that what he’s shown in pre season can materialise on the pitch in competitive matches. Although I still submit we need a striker, if he and Havertz and Trossard can all get 15+ goals (big ask I know) we might be able to just about get away without one

I’d be interested to see him and Havertz get time together up front in some capacity, as I think they offer different things and can compliment each other.

HCZ_Reborn
08-08-2024, 12:56 PM
Last time we played Leverkusen was 2002 which was also a 4-1 win (albeit different Leverkusen side with Ballack, Neuville, Lucio, Basturk, Ze Roberto and Berbatov in it)

Remember that game for the Bergkamp lob.

HCZ_Reborn
08-08-2024, 01:09 PM
https://youtu.be/s2j6cG0B4vQ?feature=shared

Just watched this back again now. The quick one touch, pass and movement is sublime.

Two of the goals are sublime as well, the Bergkamp lob and the Zoltan Sebescen consolation goal is top quality as well

Mac76
08-08-2024, 03:39 PM
Btw people should check out the highlights of yesterday, especially our second goal (Trossard) which was hilariously brilliant :lol:

HCZ_Reborn
08-08-2024, 04:01 PM
Btw people should check out the highlights of yesterday, especially our second goal (Trossard) which was hilariously brilliant :lol:

Watched it, I don’t know if it was brilliant or just a case of no one wanting to take the shot and playing hot potato till it got to Trossard.

Niall_Quinn
08-08-2024, 09:44 PM
Watched it, I don’t know if it was brilliant or just a case of no one wanting to take the shot and playing hot potato till it got to Trossard.

??? They did what they were supposed to do in front of goal, given the amount the cunts are paid to do it. Good goal. You are allowed to say, hooray!

HCZ_Reborn
08-08-2024, 10:49 PM
??? They did what they were supposed to do in front of goal, given the amount the cunts are paid to do it. Good goal. You are allowed to say, hooray!

Sorry for disagreeing with you. I should know better. Apologies Mein Fuhrer

Niall_Quinn
08-08-2024, 10:53 PM
Sorry for disagreeing with you. I should know better. Apologies Mein Fuhrer

Sorry blue hair. I stepped into your safe space and that's unforgivable.

Letters
09-08-2024, 07:35 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEC4ld5cCcU

:d

Mac76
12-08-2024, 02:22 PM
@Letters are we having a season's predictions thread? I'd set it up but i can't remember all the questions...

HCZ_Reborn
12-08-2024, 02:47 PM
@Letters are we having a season's predictions thread? I'd set it up but i can't remember all the questions...

You could just go back and look….:lol:

Mac76
12-08-2024, 04:11 PM
You could just go back and look….:lol:

Except you got it wrong last year, so you've got it wrong again, e.g. there's no 'Mind the gap' :rolleyes:

So :lol: yerself

HCZ_Reborn
12-08-2024, 04:38 PM
Except you got it wrong last year, so you've got it wrong again, e.g. there's no 'Mind the gap' :rolleyes:

So :lol: yerself

I didn’t get it wrong, I got rid of it because I had no idea what it means

You could be mature for once explain it (how many points we finish from top?) and I can edit the post accordingly

Genuine question though, have you ever thought you might be on the spectrum? Because I genuinely don’t know whether you’re being petty minded or whether it not being exactly the same causes you anxiety/stress


It’s the same way you’ve got a bit weird over me putting scorelines up, like if I say a side is 3-1 up….it should be 1-3 because the side in the lead are away from home. I’m aware of how it would show on a live score website or on the scoreboard of a football ground, but I can’t think for a moment why it matters for somewhere like here.


MO was honest enough to state that it set off his OCD a bit (which whilst different from being on the spectrum does share an overlap) when I put Arsenal vs Palace a year ago even though I knew it was an away game (because i genuinely think who cares)

Mac76
12-08-2024, 04:42 PM
It's you that's bahaving like a ten year old and also btw yet again showing you're no Arsenal fan if you don't know what 'mind the gap' means :haha:

HCZ_Reborn
12-08-2024, 04:51 PM
It's you that's bahaving like a ten year old and also btw yet again showing you're no Arsenal fan if you don't know what 'mind the gap' means :haha:

I’m the one behaving like a ten year old when your response is “no you are” and “oh you’re not a proper fan” which has to be one of the most childish things someone can come up with

Maybe wind your neck in for once, explain what it is (the last term I heard the expression outside the London Underground, was about gap between us and Tottenham, which to be honest I don’t care about as long as we finish above them come end of season)

Mac76
12-08-2024, 09:31 PM
So you do care about the gap then :lol:

HCZ_Reborn
13-08-2024, 06:29 AM
So you do care about the gap then :lol:

The gap in of itself no, I don’t care if we finish one point above them or thirty points above them, well aside from the fact that the latter is more likely going to see us in a higher league position.

Mac76
13-08-2024, 07:52 AM
The gap in of itself no, I don’t care if we finish one point above them or thirty points above them, well aside from the fact that the latter is more likely going to see us in a higher league position.

So you do then? :haha:

HCZ_Reborn
13-08-2024, 08:18 AM
So you do then? :haha:

Do I care if we finish above them or not yes

Do I care how much we finish above them not really. If we finish one point above them and they finish in third and we finished above city in 2nd on goal difference, that albeit very unlikely scenario would satisfy me just as much as finishing thirty points above them.

McNamara That Ghost...
09-09-2024, 08:33 PM
Odegaard has gone off injured for Norway.

At least a twisted ankle by the looks of it, if not worse. :rose:

Chippy
09-09-2024, 09:22 PM
Odegaard has gone off injured for Norway.

At least a twisted ankle by the looks of it, if not worse. :rose:
FFS! Our players are made of glass! We are going to get tonked on Sunday.

HCZ_Reborn
09-09-2024, 09:27 PM
Odegaard has gone off injured for Norway.

At least a twisted ankle by the looks of it, if not worse. :rose:

We really have let our squad get too thin. In some ways I’d prefer he missed out on the NLD than against City (although ideally I’d rather he missed neither).

I think (unpopular decision) that we should try playing Havertz and Jesus as a front two, or failing that play Saka in the hole and Jesus wide right.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 12:04 AM
We need to park the bus against spuds and try to hit them on the break

Marc Overmars
10-09-2024, 04:46 AM
We have no chance of winning at Spurs without Rice and Odegaard I’m afraid.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 07:37 AM
We can if, as i say, we forget about trying to control the game and instead sit back and try to hit them on the break - it'll completely dumbfound them if we do that :lol:

Letters
10-09-2024, 08:04 AM
We can if, as i say, we forget about trying to control the game and instead sit back and try to hit them on the break - it'll completely dumbfound them if we do that :lol:

Last year Spurs had plenty of the ball, particularly second half, and did nothing with it. Were it not for a Raya brainfart and a silly pel they'd never have got back in to it.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 08:25 AM
Last year Spurs had plenty of the ball, particularly second half, and did nothing with it. Were it not for a Raya brainfart and a silly pel they'd never have got back in to it.

yes exactly, i qute enjoyed seeing us trying to score on the break v Brighton and we take a take that kind of pragmatic approach we used when winning the FAC we can get through this period.

There's no reason why we shouldn't do the same v Citeh either

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 08:58 AM
yes exactly, i qute enjoyed seeing us trying to score on the break v Brighton and we take a take that kind of pragmatic approach we used when winning the FAC we can get through this period.

There's no reason why we shouldn't do the same v Citeh either

I think with City that was a fait accompli regardless of who we had fit, the problem as I see it is that Odegaard would himself be the key cog in launching any kind of counter attack. However nil desperandum (apologies for the French and Latin it’s totally unacceptable) I think this is where Jorginho’s passing ability could be useful.

It was silly of us given Odegaard was kicked about by Brighton, not to send a sick note to the Norwegian national team but we are where we are.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 09:04 AM
the problem as I see it is that Odegaard would himself be the key cog in launching any kind of counter attack.

Not sure, I'd have to watch back but at least one of them was a punt forward by Raya to either Havertz or Martinelli, not sure if Odegaard was involved in the other but we've plenty of players who can play a good ball forward

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 09:17 AM
True, but playing that system is not just dependent on the goals you can score on the break but being able to get the ball out and play it forward even if that attack breaks down to relieve the pressure on your defenders.

IBK
10-09-2024, 09:33 AM
For me this is feeling a bit like Karma for riding our luck with players - Saliba and Big Gabby; Saka, Odegard and Rice last season. Our squad looks exposed now for being too thin. We have failed to ensure we have adequate cover for Odegard - and even got rid of the 2 players with the profile to do so - ESR and Vieira. If past history is anything to go by, Odegard will bnow be out for weeks, and this could see our title challenge over by November. Bad times.

Not sure Arteta will trust Nwaneri to play the Odegard role while he is out - more likely he will drop Havertz into MF and play Jesus up front - if Jesus is now fit - is he?

There's an air of despondency around our club ATM.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 09:48 AM
Not sure about Jesus - is he ever really fit thees days? we do seem to have a habit of picking up crocks

I actually have no aspirations for this season title-wise, as you say we've got away with it a bit over the last two season (Saliba injury in 2023-23 notwithstanding) and while I'm not as down on the transfer window as some, I do think one of ESR or Vieira had to stay, plus Arteta's refusal to rotate much spells doom with a squad as thin as this.

IBK
10-09-2024, 09:51 AM
I'm trying to follow my own advice not to be obsessed by having to be perfect to better Citeh, but we have not clicked yet (and do not seem to have carried our form of last season into this one), and these key injuries (not to mention Rice's suspension for the NLD) are body blows for our thin squad. It's easy to start thinking that last season might be the high point for this team rather than something we are going to improve on...

Letters
10-09-2024, 09:57 AM
There's an air of despondency around our club ATM.
There does seem to be amongst the fanbase but at the moment it seems to be largely based on what people think is going to happen rather than anything that has happened.

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 09:59 AM
For me this is feeling a bit like Karma for riding our luck with players - Saliba and Big Gabby; Saka, Odegard and Rice last season. Our squad looks exposed now for being too thin. We have failed to ensure we have adequate cover for Odegard - and even got rid of the 2 players with the profile to do so - ESR and Vieira. If past history is anything to go by, Odegard will bnow be out for weeks, and this could see our title challenge over by November. Bad times.

Not sure Arteta will trust Nwaneri to play the Odegard role while he is out - more likely he will drop Havertz into MF and play Jesus up front - if Jesus is now fit - is he?

There's an air of despondency around our club ATM.

I’m not too worried about defensive cover as we have that coming out of our ears. But the totally unjust suspension of Rice, plus the injuries to Merino and Odegaard do bring my critique of buying too many defenders at the cost of neglecting other positions into sharp relief.

For the games against Spurs and City it’s about working out what’s more important, winning these games or not losing them and at this stage of the season I think it has to firmly be about the latter. I don’t think if we draw both games it would be fatal to our title aspirations, it would mean more that we remained unbeaten despite clear injury problems and managed to escape two of the hardest fixtures we will play this season. How long Odegaard will be out for is a matter for speculation at this stage, it’s fair to say he will miss the NLD and it would be foolish to risk him against Atalanta even if he was fit, beyond that who knows.
But really it’s going to have to be about safety first, get those two games done with and hopefully have as many players available as possible for the really tough week that’s happening in November (away at Newcastle, away at Inter and away at Chelsea back to back). Arguably our only really tough game on the road after Christmas is at Anfield, so if we keep ourselves by hook or by crook in contention possibly with an eye to January recruitment (dependent on financial circumstances, it’s hard to deny we spent a fuck load on players in the three windows between summer 2022 and summer 2023) we could be ok.

There’s no good time to have injury problems, but this is the worst fucking time. It doesn’t necessarily have to be fatal though

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 10:03 AM
There does seem to be amongst the fanbase but at the moment it seems to be largely based on what people think is going to happen rather than anything that has happened.

Well yes, that’s kind of obvious given we’ve only played three games and are unbeaten

The sense of despondency is that we are having to play extremely hard away fixtures back to back with key players missing. Frankly my attitude is if we draw both those games that would be an excellent showing (and if i’m honest given we are in September and not April, that would have been my view before we lost Merino, Rice and Odegaard)


It’s fair to say though, I’m not looking forward to these games. Not one bit

IBK
10-09-2024, 10:06 AM
There does seem to be amongst the fanbase but at the moment it seems to be largely based on what people think is going to happen rather than anything that has happened.

You are right - but its funny how 'gut feel' can often be proven right. Something is a bit off with our team so far this season. Rice hasn't looked right - and I'm not sure his advanced position has done anything for us. Teams have been able to play through us in a way that was near impossible last season. We have not controlled games as we are used to. We have relied on individual moments of genius for our goals - where previously there was usually a team purpose in doing so - and this is never a strategy that works over a sustained period. Villa and Brighton have shown that our high press has been analysed and can be worked around...and yet again our 'transformative' signing was injured at the starter's gate.

I'm not suggesting that this situation is necessarily terminal, but it's not the best start...

Mac76
10-09-2024, 10:12 AM
I know I'm repeating what I've said above but we need to go back to Arteta 1.0 and do the defend-deep-and-hit-on-the-break thing

as people say draws at the toilet bowl and at Citeh aren't bad results

Letters
10-09-2024, 10:19 AM
You are right - but its funny how 'gut feel' can often be proven right. Something is a bit off with our team so far this season.
All I'd say is that people were saying the same at this stage last result. We were getting results but people were saying we hadn't clicked and wringing their hands. I would note that we beat Villa away which we didn't last year, so there are some reasons for optimism too.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 10:41 AM
All I'd say is that people were saying the same at this stage last result. We were getting results but people were saying we hadn't clicked and wringing their hands. I would note that we beat Villa away which we didn't last year, so there are some reasons for optimism too.

all fair - I wonder if people are feeling a bit of title-chasing fatigue and in a way don't want to be stressed about it all season, so would rather it was settled early? :lol:

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 10:46 AM
All I'd say is that people were saying the same at this stage last result. We were getting results but people were saying we hadn't clicked and wringing their hands. I would note that we beat Villa away which we didn't last year, so there are some reasons for optimism too.

In terms of performance, I’d say we are definitely performing better than at the same point last season but at the same time especially if we take the game against Villa, we were lucky and reliant on David Raya to an extent. For me last season especially the first three games, there was something almost chaotic about the way we set up. This season, it’s more just low energy…I found the way Rice and Partey couldn’t deal with the high press set by Watkins and Rodgers to be a little alarming, but I think a possible solution there is just shuffling the pack.

I think more of a balance could have been found between defence and attack after going down to ten men vs Brighton. But these are more quibbles than massive concerns, my massive concern is being without our first choice midfield for the Spurs game, and potentially being without a key player for a long time. A lot of the apocalyptic despair is redolent of the schismatic histrionic repository that Social Media is….but I think there is justification for being concerned shall we say

Marc Overmars
10-09-2024, 02:37 PM
I feel like Jorginho should be able to add some stability in the middle in place of Rice but we have nothing like an Odegaard replacement. It will be a square peg in a round hole whatever happens. Partey really needs to show some of that 22/23 form now, rather than the cardboard cut out he’s looked like so far.

It’s not even just Odegaard’s ability on the ball but the fact that he leads the press so effectively, it takes a huge chunk out of the things we actually do quite well as a team. Not looking forward to the next 2 weeks at all. I think Atalanta away will be trickier than we expect too.

Mac76
10-09-2024, 03:13 PM
It’s not even just Odegaard’s ability on the ball but the fact that he leads the press so effectively

yes exactly you'll never get a replacement for his skillfulness but there should be someone to fill in for the job he does in chasing down etc - tbf and not sure it was either ESR or Viera, despite what I said above - we need someone with a good engine who can do that job and harry the opposition

21_GOONER_SALUTE
10-09-2024, 03:30 PM
yes exactly you'll never get a replacement for his skillfulness but there should be someone to fill in for the job he does in chasing down etc - tbf and not sure it was either ESR or Viera, despite what I said above - we need someone with a good engine who can do that job and harry the opposition

The best bet for aimless running and hounding down defenders left in the team is Havertz. I know Arteta would never try this , but this is the most balanced attacking lineup we have without Odegaard and Rice:


Martinelli............Trossard/ Jesus............Saka...

..............................Havertz ..........................


...................Jorginho.........Partey

(Sterling as the only sub to any of the front 3, no proven sub for Havertz and one of the 20 CBs as a sub for the DMs )

Won't bother with the defenders.

This was all brought on by a failed transfer window which I rated Arteta 2/10 for actively weakening his side. I wish I could go back and actually give him less now.....honestly I really hope he doesn't sign that new contract.

HCZ_Reborn
10-09-2024, 04:53 PM
Fabio Vieira is injured, so whether we should have kept him or not has been rather rendered academic :lol:

Chippy
10-09-2024, 06:43 PM
Fabio Vieira is injured, so whether we should have kept him or not has been rather rendered academic :lol:

I am gutted that Saka is starting for England. That would be all we need to lose him for Sunday. Fuck International football.

McNamara That Ghost...
10-09-2024, 08:20 PM
Ake stretchered off for Netherlands, so this shit happens.

Also I'm not that disheartened for us, it's not like how it used to be in these big games. The 8-2 team. :lol:

Chippy
10-09-2024, 08:30 PM
Ake stretchered off for Netherlands, so this shit happens.

Also I'm not that disheartened for us, it's not like how it used to be in these big games. The 8-2 team. :lol:

If we lose 8-2 on Sunday I will fucking hunt you down :threaten:

Letters
10-09-2024, 08:38 PM
If we lose 8-2 on Sunday I will fucking hunt you down :threaten:

:lol:

I would 8-2 be Maccy if that happens

McNamara That Ghost...
10-09-2024, 08:41 PM
It'll be fine.

HCZ_Reborn
11-09-2024, 11:35 AM
Odegaard out for three weeks minimum apparently

Even the clumsy sod who nobbled him apologised

Chippy
11-09-2024, 11:54 AM
:lol:

I would 8-2 be Maccy if that happens

:lol:

dazthegooner
11-09-2024, 06:09 PM
Both teams will be wearing their away strips in the fixtures this campaign, after (referees' body) PGMOL and Premier League ruled that our 2024-25 home kit features too much white, thus clashing with Tottenham's traditional colours," Arsenal said on Tuesday. Hmmmmm

Marc Overmars
12-09-2024, 12:52 PM
Arteta has signed a new deal.

Needs to deliver a league title in this term or it’s probably time to move on tbf.

Chippy
12-09-2024, 02:09 PM
Arteta has signed a new deal.

Needs to deliver a league title in this term or it’s probably time to move on tbf.

We all know that is not going to happen this season. 2nd or 3rd this season.

HCZ_Reborn
12-09-2024, 02:11 PM
We all know that is not going to happen this season. 2nd or 3rd this season.

I don’t know for definite that we won’t win the league

I’m pretty confident we won’t finish lower than second. Simply put we have a better squad than Liverpool