Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen. We are going to play our first home game today against a broken Leicester City and I’m not expecting anything less than a 4-0 win with a hattrick from Jesus. Okay, I am being too optimistic here, but hear me out – we have lost only once in our last 25 games at home against Leicester (W20, D4).
We are going to make it 26 today, at Emirates with a buzzing crowd and an in form team.
Team News
Reiss Nelson has picked up a muscle injury in training and will be out for some time.
Tomi, ESR and Vieira have all trained this week and could be part of the squad today. It would be exciting to see how Vieira is used, we have paid good money for him and he looks to be an Odegaard competition. We already had ESR competing in that area and if we have got another attacking midfielder, there must be something exciting about him.
Coming back to the team, I do not expect any changes to the playing XI we had against Crystal Palace. Back 4 of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko looked solid, with Partey and Xhaka playing ahead of them. Saka on LW, Martinelli on RW and Odegaard playing centrally behind Jesus.
One thing Mikel needs to improve is his in-game management. Against Palace, everyone could see Jesus was exhausted after an hour and we had an in-form Eddie on the bench. It was a similar case with Zinchenko who was subsequently replaced by Tierney but that could have been earlier. We were 2-0 up and Lokonga was brought in, in 93rd minute which makes no sense unless you are holding on a 1-0 lead against a better team and want to waste time; could have been sooner again.
Premier League allows 5 subs, and there is no rule when you should do it – someone needs to update this to Mikel. Plus from what I hear, it’s a hot day today in London and Mikel has to be careful not to burn out one of the players so early in the season. If we are 2-0 up, have that confidence in your team and give it a break to the players who look exhausted. It’s as simple as that.
There are no set backs for us today. We are in form and it shouldn’t be a tough game against Leicester today. What are your expected team line up and score? Let us know in the comments.
Unfortunately, it’s busy days at home and work for another month but I will keep LiR running with your support. I am fcuking committed and passionate and have that energy level which Mikel talked about in All or Nothing, don’t worry 😉
I am also trying to change look and feel for LiR. I have been reached out by a reader mentioning it’s a bit off to read LiR on desktop, and yes, that needs improvement. You might find some part of the website behaving odd in next week, but it shouldn’t last longer. Suggestions are always welcome!
All that animosity in SW London. It always reminds me that there are other clubs that hate Tottenham as much as we do. I’ve got friends who are Hammers and Chelsea fans who loathe the cockerel jockeys with a vengeance. In effect, they have 6 full on derbies every season.
Kroenke
The only people who don’t think the Spud’s are complete cunts are Spud’s, Scousers and Sky / BT!
LOL
Make that 36 full-on derbies then! You’ve got a point because I used to go to WHL quite often in the 80s when we were playing away. I saw Everton, Manure, other northern clubs and even QPR fans get really fired up and antagonistic towards Spurs fans. The whole place had a sinister threatening atmosphere.
I know we’ve been unpopular at times but hatred towards Arsenal is in direct proportion to our periods of success. In the 90s, only Manure were disliked more than us. In the 70s and 80s I reckon other teams were scared of our players frankly if not the actual fanbase. At other times, such as now, we’re either laughed at or patronised.
What must it feel like to be perennially shit AND hated/mocked irrespective of success? Serves them right – awful club with dull, deluded and vile supporters. You must have a few of them as neighbours in your neck of the woods.
I lived in Haringey on the ladder for part of the 80s – right on the edge of the Gooner triangle as it was known. Always an interesting atmosphere in the pubs when we ventured up to Turnpike Lane and Wood Green.
@KP
“Did you watch SA v ABs by any chance?”
Is the Pope Catholic? Of course, I have access to the Across The Tasman tracker which has all the Rugby Union and Cricket games you care to watch. Not into cricket but got a 720p/50Hz 4GB cap of the 2:25h ABs broadcast from NZL Sky Sports and it was a fantastic match. Not the same thrills as Tuchel v Conte but off the seat stuff. Will watch now the ARG v AUS game also from the same tracker.
In two hours MOTD2 should be available on the Reddit Highlights subreddit want to see the Tuchel v Conte tussle again plus Conte did not speak after the game but Tuchel laid into Taylor and the refs rightly so. We only have 3 teams competing for 2 spots in the top 4 as Man Utd is truly abysmal to put it mildly. It is in our hands to get CL at least at this point.
Jamie Vardy, your wife is a grass.
Great vibes at the Emirates yesterday and a great start to the season.
The crowd were really up for it and that makes a difference. Love the Zinchenko tune but that might just be an age thing.
For the first time in ages we went out and I thought, very simply, “we’re better than them, we should win this”
Aitcho
It sounds like the general mood is lifting. I had a sense of that pre-game optimism too, not least because Leicester seem to be drifting to put it mildly. What were your and other people’s thoughts about the lack of substitutions?
I was struck by that thing the England rugby coach Eddie Jones said about replacements talking about starters and finishers almost suggesting they were equally important to a team. There’ll soon come a time when we’ll be ahead against better opposition in a tighter game. They need to start using subs much more intelligently. It seems perverse now to have more subs available and be using them even less often. The odd times I’ve coached teams, I found my self spending the entire second half wondering about how my subs would make an impact. It must be the same at PL level surely?
I love the song about the money grubbing Vardys – what a grim couple. They even made WR and his other half look virtuous in that bullshit legal case.
If Barcelona sell Aubameyang, Arsenal should fine Arteta exactly the same amount as the fee as a punishment for completely focking Auba’s transfer value.
KP
The EPL could learn a lot from Rugby. To start with have the communication between the Ref and the VAR person be audible in the stadium. But then on the other hand the crowds in the stadium for a Rugby match seem to show a little more respect to the Ref than in football.
In addition a Rugby match is won by 23 players and some of them that have gone to the bench can come back on in certain situation. One of the reasons I am warming more and more to Rugby is the shit show the EPL refs present us week in week out and it is no better in the other leagues.
In addition if Tets benches White we are proven right that the 50 mil for him was not needed as an expense.
Killroy
Good stuff. And individually there seems an intellectual chasm between rugby refs and their vastly inferior football counterparts.
“If Barcelona sell Aubameyang, Arsenal should fine Arteta exactly the same amount as the fee as a punishment for completely focking Auba’s transfer value.”
Ambarish
There you go mate – you ticket to a fortune a new website called Arteta Roulette where people bet on how much will Arteta reduce a players value in the transfer market.
I do expect 10%!
Palace look like they’re going to lose this heavily. Their forwards look utterly disinterested. Hate to say it but Liverpool look a constant threat and should win easily.
Marc
With your 10% of LiRoulette (gotta bet on red right?) and my 30% cut of Arteta’s fine, we could organise a serious Edu-level Bunga Bunga party for all of Ambarish’s readers.
I’d hate to be a teammate of Saha’s. Fuck me! He’s just scored…
Kroenke
I’m up for that!
Hey Kroenkephobe,
Just checking in my friend. I’m ok thanks,the aul body is creaking in places but I will survive (Gloria had it right). I’m really missing out on some great stories but that Amazon documentary is robbing me of all the comic material! How can I take the piss with that thing bringing satire to a whole new level? If I created a scene with Arteta’s diagram or the hand rubbing it would look ott. And don’t mention the Anfield conditioning!
Anyway,I’m on the way back pls God, get some energy again and I’ll be back taking the piss.
So how are tricks in Wales? Cardiff off to a decent start,are you getting to the home games? Jesus has had an explosive start,are you daring to dream yet or are the battle scars of the last two decades still itching? Got to be honest,I still expect it all to result in disappointment but I wish I didn’t. I’m like Robert the Bruce in Braveheart ” I want to believe!!”
Almunia
Glad you’re on the mend now man up and write something funny!
“Got to be honest,I still expect it all to result in disappointment but I wish I didn’t. I’m like Robert the Bruce in Braveheart ” I want to believe!!””
Right now my view is Arteta’s like someone playing Football Manager (you should see my team) just because you can buy talent – and Arteta isn’t picking up the unknown diamonds like Wenger did when he joined – doesn’t mean you can coach or manage them.
Finished watching ESPN-FC and a good point was made about yesterday’s Sp*ds game there are 4 officials on the pitch plus Mike Dean and no one saw the hair pulling incident? The EPL is truly fucked with the PGMOL clowns they put on the pitch. Just waiting until we get a game where two goals would be allowed against us when they shouldn’t. Mark Clattenburg said both goals should not have stood.
Anyhow it was a match that was entertaining and full of passion.
From ESPN “Barcelona are seeking a transfer fee of €30m if they’re to sanction the departure of forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports Fabrizio Romano.”
Arsenal is really shitty at selling and if this comes to fruition we will loose all bargaining positions. Mavro is another example which we sold for 3m and West Ham was interested in him for 20m. We are doing well on the pitch but in the player sales business we are bottom of the table.
Great news Almunia. Keep taking it easy when you can because I know things get more hectic for you in autumn.
You’re right about AoN. It’s really nothing more than a pastiche of the earlier ones. Loads of cutaways of tastelessly dressed young men getting in and out of ridiculous motors or walking up and down corridors doing those elbows bent hand slapping greetings. I remember watching the Spurs one thinking it would be amusing to keep count of the handshakes and now of course its become stuck in my mind.
And it’s strange how your first impressions of players based on snapshots of games and interviews are reinforced by seeing them slightly (only slightly) closer in this format. For example, ESR and Saka come across as genuinely nice decent lads, Ramsdale and his awful dad immature and solipsistic, Xhaka and White as frauds (I loved the way BW recounted that story about being told he was shit without humour or irony). And Arteta comes off badly (Round and Stuivenberg slightly better I think). You possibly saw some of that UK TV programme ‘the office’. Comparisons between Tets and David Brent are credible. IE Not in touch with the players, nor Kroenke (in front of whom he seems nervous and even more uptight) nor his coaching staff who are wary and stiff around him. And those beady little eyes remind me of portraits in those 70s horror films that move and follow people around a room. Kicking off post Forest in the cup (should’ve done it at half time!), reminded me of that biggus dickus/incontinentia buttox sketch in the Life of Brian. Hope you’ve seen that otherwise its going to make me look a bit weird! People not giving him eye contact but probably on the verge of laughing at him.
All cool in Cymru too. Well, more like parched, singed and hellish in a Dante-esque kind of way. We had 4 wild fires raging around us within a ten mile radius on Sunday – which made a change. I guess its been the same on your side of the Irish sea.
Anyway, off on a foray into Ingerland tomorrow, West Brom to be precise. Good ground and like Wolves friendlier than the other two in Brum. Cardiff were fucking terrific on Saturday. They now have a midfield that passes, wins balls and creates chances. Genius really. O’Dowda is a brilliant player and a fan favourite already. So it’s on the up. I’m taking 6 teenagers with me so it should be like herding cats. We’re planning all sorts of fun excursions later in the season to exotic places like Blackburn, Norwich, Blackpool and Rotherham if fuel prices don’t go even fucking higher that is. Bluebirds!
Ambarish
Hi mate.
Just wanted to say I think you’ve successfully managed to get the atmosphere absolutely correct on LiR. Diehard fans, who recognise the truth, and can do so in a manner that is amicable, humorous and informative.
In essence the polar opposite of the ‘other place’ where blind faith disciples mix with angry accountants and know-nothing posturing cretins. I’m also glad that these pages don’t stray into topics like sub judice legal issues, sexist and racist tropes and uninformed nonsense including bias against Arsenal by referees, media, fixture computers etc.
Mark and Aitcho seem to be the only regular attendees (I go once a year but used to go all over Europe when I had an ST for ten years and lived 400 metres from Highbury).
It would be great if you can continue with the match previews Ambarish. They get us all ready and bring on the pre-game butterflies. The one before Leicester was top-drawer.
And for people who read these pages but haven’t yet contributed, please get stuck in. Personally I love hearing other fans’ perspectives. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve followed the club or where you’re based. Those of us already on here don’t bite I promise (except when rampedro puts his catweasly head above the parapet). This season already feels sooo much more positive than last year’s disastrous start.
“ The other Place “
Abode of Believers i.e. believers of Dogma sacrilege is their take on any opinion , presided over, lorded over the selected lemmings sprouting same nonsense over and over again like a rosary over beads.
Dogma is a take on dog and his ma…all curated by the pop dog
Okay just got carried away ….came back here from Dogshit 😂😂
Hi Hoopah
Putting to one side my rock solid opinion that LG is infected by Pedro’s own alter egos (positive Pete, negative Nigel, Nigella Tuffnut England’sbest and Zacharse) some of the drivel spewed by others really makes me wonder if they are actually gooners. Unreadable cant.
Pedro has sold his soul to the club’s establishment in a faustian pact so can no longer be trusted to see straight. It’s all a bit sad. They seem to be gravitating towards that niche hitherto occupied by Attwood and the dreadful Unsold Anusol.
Kroenke
A few days ago a “new poster” appeared called Piotr who basically said Pedro you’re dead right about everything, Conte’s useless and Arteta’s the greatest manager ever.
Pedro’s not even being creative with his alter ego’s anymore!
Hi Marc
LG is a shadow of its former self. Its almost as if he’s ruining it and his image on purpose. He’s taking the piss out of the few poor idiots that still bother going there hoping to get some truth.
Just in case you have some spare time tonight, Patino is starting for Blackpool against QP hahaha on Sky.
Kroenke
It’s more a parody than anything else, in what has to be one of the biggest laps of self awareness since Xhaka pulled on the shirt Pedro’s complaining today about some journo blocking him because Pedro made his argument look daft. To make it even better he then goes on a rant about not blocking people who challenge who even including “because it makes it look like the sauce you are offering up is room temperature Tesco’s mayo. Don’t be that guy.”
I don’t think Pedro gets the irony, he’s had a full on mental breakdown.
Marc
It’s such a pile of bollocks, it’s no longer worth reading. I think it’s part of that Faustian pact I mentioned. He’ll pop up in some social media role for the club repackaging what the establishment says through the press and the official programme, making it more ‘relevant’ (but equally shit-stained) for kids in the brave new-ish world of IT. Oh, and they’ll have to pay for it handsomely. He’s a mediocre snake oil salesman trading his soul and any feelings he may have had of being a genuine supporter. A long ago poacher turned eager gamekeeper ready to sing the company song in order to stay on message.
Back in the real world, with real fans, the fully sold 3000 Cardiff end was rocking last night at the Hawthorns despite the game being goalless. Decent, honest, hardworking football with a will to win making up for the lack of JdP and focking handrubbing. I’m feeling a little hoarse this morning (which is rather nice!). A chasm in quality between the upper reaches of the PL and the Championship which is a dogfight among equals but it offers something really different.
Oh, and no polar neck wearing wankers banning people telling the truth and spouting bullshit into the bargain. In a word – refreshing. Now breathe…
After hubris comes nemesis according to that well known book of myths, ie the bible. But there is truth in it at least as far as big-headed bragging bastards are concerned.
Nevertheless, we must have too much quality for Bournemouth who are the best team in the mighty county of Dorset. It’d be nice to see a some early goals, a 2 goal lead by half time and some early focking sobstitutions giving ESR, Vieira, Eddie Unket, Pepe and Lokonga a run out. A calm, straightforward win with no injuries.
I’m opting for 3 nil as the cherries tire chasing the ball around in the segundo tiempo.
Kroenke
It should be as easy win as you can get in the PL do I think Arteta will make early subs to both protect players and give some others a run out – only if he’s forced to!