Arsenal vs PSG, 1st October 2024, KO 20:00 (GMT)

[HCZ_Reborn]

This is a PSG side unrecognisable from one of recent years that was star studded

They have a squad which contains some of France’s decent attackers like Kolo Muani and Barcola, young stars like Zaire-Emery as well as journeymen like Fabian Ruiz and Marco Asensio.

It’s basically a team that could cause us problems if we are off our game, but a match we should be winning

[Marc Overmars]

They’ve got a lot of pace and tricky forwards who I can see causing us issues. However this is also a team that Newcastle hammered a year ago and that was with Mbappe.

We probably need to win all our home games if we’re going to finish in the top 8 because our away form in Europe can’t be relied on.

Been a while since we had a big name scalp in Europe. Hopefully we get it done here.

[Mac76]

@HCZ I was myself about to start a thread on this game but thought I'd do some research on PSG first

but I needn't have worried, you're on the spot as usual - I agree there's absolutely no need to mention Lee Kang-in who's scored 3 in 7, or Joao Neves (5 assists in 7), or ofc Ousmane Dembele (4 goals and 3 assists in 7)...

They're also got some good defenders like Marquinhos

Anyway, it sounds like Merino's not very far away so possibly will be on the bench for this one, otherwise we're probably looking at the same side which started v Leicester

MO is right we need to be on our guard here but if we are and we take our chances, we should win this and would be a statement to do so, whatever the merits of their team

[HCZ_Reborn]

@HCZ I was myself about to start a thread on this game but thought I'd do some research on PSG first

but I needn't have worried, you're on the spot as usual - I agree there's absolutely no need to mention Lee Kang-in who's scored 3 in 7, or Joao Neves (5 assists in 7), or ofc Ousmane Dembele (4 goals and 3 assists in 7) :haha:

They're also got some good defenders like Marquinhos

Anyway, it sounds like Merino's not very far away so possibly will be on the bench for this one, otherwise we're probably looking at the same side which started v Leicester

MO is right we need to be on our guard here but if we are and we take our chances, we should win this and would be a statement to do so, whatever the merits of their team


Ousmane Dembele isn’t going to be playing because he’s had a falling out with Luis Enrique

Lee Kang? Wasn’t he a character in Mortal Kombat. But no you’re right I didn’t do an in depth check a) because I didn’t care enough and b) because it’s pearls amongst swine.

But I’m pretty sure I would have come to the same conclusion despite those very impressive statistics you rattled off for a big fish in a small pond.

[Mac76]

Ousmane Dembele isn’t going to be playing because he’s had a falling out with Luis Enrique


so i see - i guess it's :pal: on me then... :)

[The Wengerbabies]

Must win.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No Dembele is good news for PSG tbf.

[Mac76]

No Dembele is good news for PSG tbf.

I don't see how with his numbers this season

Tbh i don't know how much this team varies from last year, apart from not having Mbappe, I'm sure they're no mugs though and for the sake of an interesting game I hope they offer some threat before we ease ahead in the second half :lol:

[WMUG]

Had a bit of a mare here and booked myself on the coach to watch Wythenshawe Town play Stalybridge Celtic away, not realising this was the same night.

Ah well, just the group stage.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Mikel Merino expected to be in the squad for this evening. This sees him back earlier than expected

I don’t see any need to rush him back, at most maybe ten-twenty minutes at the end if we are winning comfortably

[Mac76]

Had a bit of a mare here and booked myself on the coach to watch Wythenshawe Town play Stalybridge Celtic away, not realising this was the same night.

Ah well, just the group stage.

Only it's no longer a group stage but a league. For some reason I'm finding it harder to take this new format seriously, I watched the Atalanta borefest and am going tonight, but accepted an invite to something else the night of the Shaktar game. I've not looked at the CL table once yet, it's just an inconvenience before we get to the proper games, I know top eight means avoiding two games but it still doesn't feel exciting to me

[HCZ_Reborn]

The irony is the bore draw at Atalanta is what this new format is meant to avoid. Also I note that Matchday 8 is all kicking off at the same time, presumably to stop two teams from engineering a result

I must confess I’ve not looked at the table either….

However I think the guarantee of playing teams like Inter or PSG, is better than home and away against some post communist outfit.

Whether the new format will work I don’t know, I’ve taken the set view of being opposed to every champions league format change going back twenty years (I liked the two group stages and then straight to the 1/4 finals)


But it means (in principle anyway) that teams like City and Madrid have to play at least one tough opponent (possibly two) before the knockout stages and your seeding no longer protects you as much

[McNamara That Ghost...]

This is on Prime Video btw.

[Mac76]

both Tomi and Merino feature a lot in the pre-match training photos on the website, a good sign :good:

[Letters]

This is on Prime Video btw.

Much to MrsL's annoyance. So I will actually get to watch this one.


I hope we win, tbh.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Much to MrsL's annoyance. So I will actually get to watch this one.


I hope we win, tbh.

You mean to say the trouble and strife is not a dyed in the wool Gooner?

For shame :lol:

[Letters]

You mean to say the trouble and strife is not a dyed in the wool Gooner?

For shame :lol:

She honestly couldn't give a monkeys. She'll watch some of the bigger England games but that's about it. Even then she's not really in to it.
Fortunately for her I'm not super fussed myself these days so rarely watch our games.

[HCZ_Reborn]

She honestly couldn't give a monkeys. She'll watch some of the bigger England games but that's about it. Even then she's not really in to it.
Fortunately for her I'm not super fussed myself these days so rarely watch our games.

And why would she. I don’t think any woman I’ve been with for any sustained period has cared about football, and to be honest many of them are surprised I am because I never mention it around them. I do remember a girlfriend I had watching the 2005 fa cup final with me (and she looked thoroughly bored and was clearly only watching for my benefit)

[The Wengerbabies]

https://i.ibb.co/y8tHtj9/Screenshot-from-2024-10-01-19-02-54.png

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Saka, Partey, Rice, Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.

Subs: Neto, Porter, Gabriel Jesus, Kiwior, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Robinson, Butler-Oyedeji.

Paris St-Germain: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaire Emery, Vitinha, Neves, Doue, Lee, Barcola.

Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Fabian, Asensio, Muani, Mayulu, Lucas Beraldo, Skriniar, Zague, Naoufel El Hannach, Mbaye.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Merino. :bow:

[Mac76]

One of the linos tonight is called Kovacic - should we be worried...?

[Mac76]

Merino. :bow:

Butler-Oyedeji :bow:

[HCZ_Reborn]

One of the linos tonight is called Kovacic - should we be worried...?

No, given the referee isn't Michael Oliver, he will be sent off if he assaults one of our players

[McNamara That Ghost...]

PSG fans are unbelievable.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Seedorf. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Champions League theme. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Martinelli nearly got in there, Donnarumma and him both down.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Havertz rolls it across, nobody following it in.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

HAVERTZ!!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

Best word I can describe our play from kick off up to the goal is patient, happy for them to have possession as long as it’s pointless possession.

Good closing down, pressing and been purposeful in possession

[Letters]

Great delivery, great header

:dance:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So good from Timber.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Excellent from Timber

[Letters]

Havertz rolls it across, nobody following it in.

That was frustrating. Someone has to attack that.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mendes scrapes the post!

[Letters]

Balls up by Rice. A better ball could have put PSG in bother

[HCZ_Reborn]

Poor pass from Rice, though its been raining today so possibly could have slowed the pitch up, but he had space to run with

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Holy shit Hakimi is fast.

Raya saves.

[Letters]

Good save Raya

[Marc Overmars]

Holy shit Hakimi is fast.

Raya saves.

Thought Calafiori was also a bit dopey there.

[Letters]

Holy shit Hakimi is fast.

Raya saves.

It was a bit alarming how easily be breezed past Calafiori

[Niall_Quinn]

Is there a more improved player in world football than Gabriel? Do you remember how ordinary he was when he first arrived. Now he's a beast.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0! Fuck knows who scored.

[dazthegooner]

SAKA!!

[HCZ_Reborn]

2-0! Fuck knows who scored.

Saka…no one else got a touch

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stunning strike from Saka off that freekick. :bow:

[Letters]

Partey wheeled away like he scored but it actually went straight in from Saka!
So…

SAKA!!

[dazthegooner]

Played for and got. :unsure:

[Marc Overmars]

Set pieces. :bow:

Plenty of pace out there to trouble us to just need to ensure we defend against that well.

[Niall_Quinn]

Who does Mbappe play for (own) these days?

[Letters]

Who does Mbappe play for (own) these days?

Real

[Niall_Quinn]

Real

Ah, so Real are going broke soon. Good to know.

[Niall_Quinn]

Don't want to tempt fate, but Raya looks really solid with his positioning.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0 HT.

Let's fuck it up like against Leicester. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

HT can only throw it away now. Defence is what it's all about. Very solid. Keep that up and it'll probably end 2-0.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just saw the ridiculous format of this bullshit tournament. What a joke. This is their shitty Euro League sneaked through the back door. There are more clubs in the "premier" league than in the Premier league. How could this have been allowed?

[Niall_Quinn]

He's asking a woman how the goal should be defended. :haha:

[Letters]

Just saw the ridiculous format of this bullshit tournament. What a joke. This is their shitty Euro League sneaked through the back door. There are more clubs in the "premier" league than in the Premier league. How could this have been allowed?
It does feel like they’re trying to implement the super league by stealth.
I haven’t tried to understand how it all works.

[Niall_Quinn]

She can't even speak English :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

It does feel like they’re trying to implement the super league by stealth.
I haven’t tried to understand how it all works.

All the fans protested when the fan loving big six were rumbled, if people recall. It was a scandal. Apparently they wanted to set up exactly what they have now. Time heals all evil intent.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Undertaker Ministry of Darkness theme. :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Undertaker Ministry of Darkness theme. :bow:

Brilliant. :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Timber off, Kiwior on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Brilliant. :bow:

Geniuinely funny.

[dazthegooner]

Backpass from Martinelli

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Martinelli straight at Donnarumma!

[Letters]

What a goal that nearly was, but then wasn’t!

[Niall_Quinn]

Martinelli should have scored and finished it. Decided not to.

[Marc Overmars]

Martinelli volleys straight at the keeper. Would have been a brilliant goal but it was his weaker foot so I’ll let him off.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Backpass from Martinelli

:lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Actually after seeing that replay it was a tame effort. There was a lot to aim for.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Havertz header taken the power off it.

Gabriel. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Havertz header taken the power off it.

Gabriel. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

I've heard this Merino bloke is as good as Rodri. True. False?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fabian Ruiz and Kolo Muani on, Vitinha and Doue off.

Partey off, Merino on. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I've heard this Merino bloke is as good as Rodri. True. False?

Has 100% more working knees.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

PSG hit the bar!

[dazthegooner]

I know we defend well but I hate it when we just sit back.

[Letters]

We are getting a bit sloppy now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Good save from Raya.

[Letters]

Good save Raya

[Niall_Quinn]

It's crazy to see Arsenal defending competently. You have to acknowledge Arteta's part in that. Finally, a defence worth the name.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trossard off, Jesus on.

[Niall_Quinn]

LOL. FK against Havertz for running toward the opposition goal with intent.

[Niall_Quinn]

Trossard off, Jesus on.

He'll save us. And everyone else whilst he's at it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Martinelli is being a dick in front of goal. Should have had 2 now.

[dazthegooner]

Well give him some credit he doesn't want to hurt the ball too much.

[Niall_Quinn]

I like Calafiori. He's a total scrote.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Calafiori and Ruiz booked for Handbags

[Niall_Quinn]

Pires :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

PSG, on behalf of the Qatar Investment Authority. LOL. Criminals. Just say it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Fingers crossed, but it looks like Shearer will be going home empty handed.

[Niall_Quinn]

Commentators getting a bit bitter now. It's pathetic, of course, but understandable because they are hateful individuals.

[Letters]

Pires :bow:

I thought he’d have had hair a bit too long for your liking ;)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Havertz. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

These lads are playing the whole 90. Another one of the things I've demanded for years.

[dazthegooner]

Lewis-Skelly coming on without getting booked first.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saka off, Lewis-Skelly on.

[Niall_Quinn]

I thought he’d have had hair a bit too long for your liking ;)

Pires made his name on playing great football, not being some sad fag who want attention. Big difference between a man who achieves something and a man pretending to be a man. I honour the former, spit on the latter. As it should be.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lewis-Skelly coming on without getting booked first.

First time for everything.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal 2-0 PSG, FT!!

Easy stuff. :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

It's really very, very good defending. Very impressive.

FT

Arsenal 2-0 Shithole slave state in the desert

[Marc Overmars]

Bit of a dull second half but we defended well and saw it out without too much bother despite their increased possession.

[Mac76]

It does feel like they’re trying to implement the super league by stealth.
I haven’t tried to understand how it all works.

it's more of an attempt to stop the super league by having something similar but which isn't a closed shop run by another orgaanisation

[Mac76]

Geniuinely funny.

I didn't realise that was what it was but yes brilliant :lol: