That’s Murphy’s Law, however it’s the variation of it which suits us more – “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.”
In the pursuit of title, we didn’t need a mid-week game. We played Sporting at home and lost. Now, most of us would have shrugged it off, looking at the bigger picture where title is on the line having been almost qualified for Champions League but everything went wrong for us. Tomiyasu picked up an injury in the 9th minute and by the looks of it, it was serious. If that was not enough, Saliba was subbed in 20th minute because he felt discomfort in his back. We scored first, but gave a goal away from half line. Match went into the extra time, likes of Martinelli, White, Gabriel and Zinchenko had to play another 30 minutes when we have game tomorrow the 19th. Of all, Martinelli’s kick was saved by Sporting goalkeeper and we lost.
Played for 2 hrs, lost 2 players to injuries, have another game in 3 days and went out of Europa against Sporting at Home. And if this was not enough, someone on Twitter added one more to the list – roof leaking.
Our CBs – Gabriel and Saliba have been immense this season, and losing one of them even for couple of matches could be devastating. Holding is no match, and Kiwior is not ready (yet). We could have hoped White to replace Saliba with Tomiyasu on the right, but Tomi is out injured now and for a long time.
Fortunately, our midfield is still safe. We need Partey the most for these 11 games.
Martinelli would be devasted. Over played, missed a penalty which lost the game for us, hopefully it don’t dent his confidence. We need everyone at their best for the rest of this season.
Anyways, all we can do is forget about it, concentrate on the league and Crystal Palace tomorrow. They have sacked Patrick Vieira, haven’t appointed a manager yet and have not won a game in the year 2023. That’s sort of game where we give a lifeline to the teams. I am worried, and hopefully Arteta and Co. will break that curse. We are still on top, if we win, we go into international break with 8-points lead over City even if they have played a game less, it gives a huge mental advantage. They are in Champions League, they too will tire out and chasing 8 points gap will cause problems for them.
Short one today, I will be back before the game against Crystal Palace. You have a nice weekend.
TRVL – that would put us back in the game where we should be: challenging for 4/5 seasons. With good squad management, who knows?
Better rest Xhaka now for Leeds.
Tony-having said that, I’m still not convinced that our manager has any desire whatsoever to move on from our/his actual “captain”; plus the investments made in both Eddie and Trossard, with Balo performing beyond expectation, suggests to me that there won’t be any major signings up top…of course, this isn’t to take anything away from Balo’s potential moving forward, as he’s been stellar out on loan, but I just think if we do have higher aspirations for next season, on multiple fronts, we need to have another readymade bona fide scorer up top…this was always my concerns with both the mishandling of the whole Eddie scenario last off-season and our non-targeted spending in January
of course, as I say all this, Xhaka scores for the second game in a row…having you ever seen a more unmarked individual inside the box(on both ocassions that is)
Palace look as if they shot their load in the first 20+ minutes and have been living on borrowed time since
have NOT having you
Great goal and pick out from KT for Saka’s assist.
What a goal !
good to see Tierney on the pitch and contributing in the final third…we need him for the run-up and for the purposes of raising funds for the summer window
I’ve heard of alligator arm, but Tompkin’s alligator foot almost had us potting a 5 spot…we need to prove that we have a half dozen goals in us
i do think that Holding has worked on his passing skills, as he seems far more confident with his one-touch capabilities, with space and time, but he still needs some considerable work on his positioning, especially when he’s facing anyone with pace
still not quite sure why Partey and Saka are playing a full 90 or why ESR was shoehorned out wide instead of coming in for Xhaka in a more central role…we all know by now that he will never get any significant minutes as a wide-side player, at least not at the Emirates…we should never not use these types of affairs to see what we can get out of players in their preferred positions…otherwise, extremely pleased by the way we reversed course after the 25th minute and emerged with a resounding victory
TRVL- agreed defenders don’t worry about Xhaka who has a habit of passing to opposition keepers when free or falling over.
Good for to have the points laying the onus on City, so statement made after our Europa exit.
We won ✌️
definitely a statement game considering the events of Thursday evening…really good teams know how to take their frustrations out on others, especially those whom are ripe for the picking like CP today…far too often we’ve had a tendency to dwell on the past and have that unnecessarily affect future performances, so it’s nice to see that trend not being repeated today…regardless of the fact that City has a game in hand now, it always provides a psychological edge when you create more separation between you and your closest foes
moments of madness by Fulham versus United…talk about silver-plattering a victory in a crucial FA Cup fixture…overall they had been the better of the two sides before going ape shit over a legitimate red card call against our old buddy Willian…this is what happens sometimes when you have an overly emotional manager, as like-minded players have a diffcult time making rational choices when things go pear-shaped, which is why I worry when MA gets unnecessarily riled up on the touchline, in that it can be dangerously infectious
A solid and resounding win. Palace were poor and they were dominated. No noticeably weak performances. White was terrific in the first half. His passing, forward threat and his link-up work with Bukayo. Another occasion where we played a team at just the right time. No signs of a hangover after Sporting. Plenty of time to recuperate, get Saliba back (although Holding impressed) and work out a plan to dismantle Leeds.
…. Oh, and no deluge to flood the pitch and cause a postponement. Yes, I’m still bitter about Rotherham!
I’m starting to see a pathway to the title, especially if we keep handling our shit against the lesser lights…that said, we must navigate an exceptionally tricky period starting on April 16th, as we play Sunday, Friday, Wednesday then again on Saturday, the last two of which are against City and Chelsea…it’s not a murder’s row of combatants, but it’s 4 games over 13 days, with a tough back-to-back in the 3 and 4 holes…as such, we need to be a little savvier when it comes to our rotation in the meantime, so as to hopefully be at our healthiest during that stretch…with this in mind, there was no reason whatsoever that both Saka and Partey played a full 90 in a largely one-sided affair, especially the latter, considering his injury susceptibility and the fact that there’s a rather significant positional drop off whenever he’s not on the pitch…not to mention, whomever is slated to replace him, which I assume is primarily Jorginho, should relish any opportunity to further acquaint himself with his new teammates
TRVL – That’s it in a nutshell. Injuries and Red Zone will be our undoing if the squad isn’t managed well because a tired mind & body is much more susceptible to injuries other than mistakes that cost you dearly.
The old Invincible’s like FEAR is there at our core.
Both junior and I said early that our dominant win over Fulham came partly from Fulham’s fear of making mistakes and playing within themselves; trying to play safe, which is the worst thing to do against a free flowing side with total belief in their skills and football.
Palace were timid by comparison to last season. Yesterday they were playing with fear. Our interplay in the final 3rd was breathtaking at times and certainly sublime. We gave up our belly in midfield where Palace had more joy, although those periods were few and far between, but enough to grab a goal in a melee in our 6-yard box from a corner.
Now, it’s our turn, us Gooners to sample the fear of who will return from International duty fit and healthy? It’s a ridiculous time to be playing Internationals so soon after the world cup.
Exactly what purpose does this break offer the countries’ teams’ playing?
Why can’t these games be played at the end of the season in 10 weeks?
Thankfully, Southgate isn’t that bright being more suited to being a suit in the FA than managing England. White will get a deserved rest, as well as giving Saliba, Eddie time to recover while Holding had a good run out yesterday to brush off the bench cobwebs, and giving us a solid display in aerial supremacy in our box. Not too shabby on the ground either, just slower than needed.
At times we looked like vintage 00’s Arsenal with our final 3rd triangles and tiki taki one-touch football you can see has been played so many times in training that it’s becoming instinctive, as it was for the Invincibles, which can only improve when Xhaka is replaced or benched. If Xhaka can score, everyone can, and let’s face it, no-one looks more surprised than Xhaka when he actually nets one, and now he’s 2 for 2. You can’t help liking his palpable reactions, but not enough to start him every game.
Alan Rickman’s ‘good grief’ orations come to mind from his dry, rolling eyes in the air deliveries, such as in the Treky satire movie, Galaxy Quest.
Ambarish, you could start this post game post headlined: 2 for fcuking 2!!!! He can’t get 3 for 3 can he?
Anyway, Xhaka was loving this football yesterday; having a love in with White just before White was subbed. It was a real “Luv ya, bro” moment that you can’t help smiling at; his scoring goals notwithstanding.
The squad are enjoying their football. In fact too much to be tired. There was no sign of being leggy after the Sporting loss. Arteta managed his subs better than before, but his choices are ridiculously thin, so not hard to decide – it’s just when?
Why is there a rumor about selling KT? He was back to his best yesterday and ready to give Zinchenko a break or move to 8.
For all our superlatives yesterday, we are still unbalanced on our left. Zinchenko can’t be in 2 positions at once other than on a very high defensive line, as the 2 become 1.
Xhaka doesn’t have the pace to interchange with Martinelli and get past defenders. It makes Martinelli far less productive than Saka with White & Ode. One of Trossard, ESR or Zinchenko at 8 offers Martinelli far more pace to work with, and where I believe more goals will come from the left – giving defenders far more to worry about with their positioning forcing more gaps to open.
A great bounce back and as TRVL and I have proclaimed an excellent statement to make to City, Pool and The Chavs look up and feel the pressure of our impending games as we pick off the low hanging fruit points, such as Leeds next.
8 point lead with 10 finals to come.
Can we do it? Dare to dream? On yesterday’s display, I’d say we can, especially as our opponents become fearful of us, as Fulham and Palace were yesterday; only injuries can displace this marauding, Arsenal juggernaut.
Exactly what purpose does this break offer the countries’ teams’ playing?
Hi Tony
Good write up. My kids ask me a lot of questions, including about football. I often tell them no matter what the question is, the answer when it comes to footy is almost always ‘money’.
But in the question you’ve posed, I’d also say it was a last ditch attempt by FIFA and the various FAs to stay relevant. The PL is so far ahead of the English FA in terms of the quality of its product that the NT is relegated to an unwelcome sideshow outside of major tournaments. In other countries the rate of change is arguably slower. These internationals are pointless but they keep the old boys in suits rich and able to feel self-important. They’re parasites clinging to the capitalist master class being provided by league structures and mega rich owners. Blatter, Platini and Infantino have been shrewd enough to make personal fortunes by being corrupt.
I liked the way supporters in the stadium yesterday paid homage to PV. I think that it would have meant something to him.
KP
The saying, “Money is the route of all evil” will never be bettered more succinctly. In every walk of life it’s true including religions. Wealth is power, it’s that simple. I spent some time explaining greed to junior, and not to be a slave to the filthy lucre. He’s grown up in in a wealthy environment, but also is quiet about it outside our home. We’ve very much kept his feet on the ground, as we have with our daughter where both appreciate the word: ‘Value’ and its inferences.
Mrs T dropped a bomb on me over the weekend saying she still wants to live in Europe when we’ve concluded business here.
My initial thought was Southern French speaking Switzerland somewhere between Lausanne and Geneva. However, I’ve always loved the slow pace of the French Riviera more towards the foot of the Pyrenees the other side to you and Barca.
Straight out of the left field that one.
When asked for advice here I say always expect the unexpected because Thais are good at that, and culturally they can’t say ‘No’ when asked if they can do something. You must have experienced that here, KP, as it’s generally the first thing you have to accept here that ‘Yes’ often means no. Working it out takes time to begin with, but soon you can joke with them about it to get the correct answer.
Everything is Thai time here where you do well to qualify which time they are quoting: farang (western) or the very tardy Thai time. Not as bad as ‘Mañana’ in Spain I agree, but where I sit on the spectrum I’m not good at waiting around wasting time. Ditto Mrs T, thankfully.
Mrs T asked me which I liked best mountains or the ocean/sea? I replied I prefer to be up a mountain, a safe distance from the ocean, in a house with a pool.
Who knows, KP, nothing would surprise me with my life’s story and family itching to sprout wings to find more lucrative employment outside of S E Asia.
City’s remaining games
1 April – Liverpool (H)
8 April – Southampton (A)
15 April – Leicester (H)
23 April – Brighton (A)
26 April – Arsenal (H)
30 April – Fulham (A)
6 May – Leeds (H)
13 May – Everton (A)
20 May – Chelsea (H)
28 May – Brentford (A)
Our remaining games
1 April – Leeds (H)
9 April – Liverpool (A)
16 April – West Ham (A)
21 April – Southampton (H)
26 April – Manchester City (A)
29 April – Chelsea (H)
6 May – Newcastle (A)
13 May – Brighton (H)
20 May – Nottingham Forest (A)
28 May – Wolves – (H)
People talk of city having an easier run-in, but with the CL as well, ours is easier imo.
Hi Ambarish, Hoopah and Divyanshu,
Good news. Campa Cola is coming back thanks to Mr Ambani
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/20/patriotic-indian-brand-campa-cola-to-relaunch-in-challenge-to-coke-and-pepsi
Can you still get Limca in India? I used to enjoy both of these drinks on my trips there, although they were both a bit sweet and therefore heavy duty on the teeth. Very handy on lengthy and hot train journeys.
If if if we win the big one… I expect to see photos of you toasting Arsenal with a trophy filled with Campa Cola.
Tony
City’s PL run in is more favourable than ours, but they still have major cup interests. I think Arsenal also killed off any thinking that they were affected by losing to Sporting. So advantage us I’d say.
Interesting to hear Mrs T’s plans for the future. The Mediterranean diet is famous for keeping people healthy so there’s that. We could be near neighbours some time in the future! The other good thing is that there’s a world of difference culturally between Spain, France and Italy so plenty of variety. You should get over there and do some joint research on your preferences.
Morning all
Looks like Stan is jumping the gun again and promoting Edu to Footballing Director.
Exactly what has Edu done to warrant such a position and Arsenal’s first such appointment? He’s allowed Arteta to dump certain future young stars, such as Willock. We have Tavares, Lakonga, Vieira and then injury prone Tomi and KT who was crocked when we bought him.
The clear out of playing assets and ridiculous new contracts for Ozil, Willian & Auba et al has potentially cost the club £150m+.
Granted the wage bill is where it should be for our lack of CL under Edu; however, there was also a great cost of paying off salaries even when our players were playing for other clubs.
We are in a false sense of security currently with City, Chavs and Pool having poor seasons by their lofty standards. This is our Leicester 2016 season if we manage to capitalize on the faltering big clubs and win the league.
We’ve also spent £600m+(?) to be in this position. Looking at that expenditure more closely, it prompts many questions.
How has Edu been successful buying Zinchenko & Jesus who were practically begging to play for us and not Vlahovic and
Micky mudflaps who when to Juventus and Chavs?
Why did Edu let Willock & Emi go only to be woefully short in midfield for the last 4 seasons?
Why Keep Xhaka when he disrespected the club after awful attitude and performances from the manchild?
Why did Edu bow to Arteta’s non-negotiable costing the club over £150m+?
Why does Edu never seem to have a plan B for TWs – Jorginho and Trossard panic buys?
Why isn’t our TW business completed early for our main target buys?
Why did Edu allow Arteta to cull the squad last season costing us CL football?
Why has the same mistake been made again this season that could very well derail out total challenge?
Why does Edu report that he’s working on our next TW window’s targets moths before and still end up buying late because of missed targets?
Why has Edu allowed our midfield to be ignored when it’s been our Achilles heel for the last 5 seasons?
Why did Edu ignore Emery’s needs, which could have got us CL football that season?
Why hasn’t Bolagun been recalled?
Edu should be Arteta’s boss but the optics appears very much the other way round with tail wagging dog springing to mind.
Ah well, it’s Stan’s money & club, and the appointment I believe is to be made in November, so why they are proclaiming it now I have no clue.
What happens if we bottle the league because of poor squad management? Does KSE still reward failure, as they’ve done with Arteta – particularly in a Leicester 2016 type season?
KP
Always liked France, its people and food, so we’ll have to see and look to plan, as you’re doing for your Catalan move.
Equally, I like Spain where you’re heading, but have concerns with the country’s viability with Brexit. Of course, in France you have Macron – enough said! Expat life works best when you have the resources to live above a chosen country’s certain comfortable lifestyle, mostly unaffected by its politics and general standards of life for its indigenous population.
Then there is the serious global instability to take into consideration.
Whatever happens it won’t be for 3 to 5 years, as Mrs T is being asked to run the company for a transition period, we are looking for only 1 year.
Much to discuss and plan for.
Hi Tony
In either case, I’d recommend you contact any friends in the countries you decide to look at. An old mate of mine helped us immensely by getting a piece of paper from the local authorities which said we (already) had an address in the country. You could also do yourselves a huge favour by getting a local lawyer to help with bureaucracy language etc. It’ll add a few hundred euros on the cost but good counsel is worth it’s weight in gold. We hired this woman again on the advice of my mate) who drove the entire process, completed all the forms, and accompanied us to our two interviews. She was brilliant – she politely and informatively tool the local police through the process as well. Happy to advise more as you both get further into it.
And if we eventually decide to form a Mediterranean geriatric gooners supporters group, I’ll nominate you for El Presidente! 🇫🇷🇪🇸🇮🇹
Yep Kroenkephobe
Can get Limca, definitely in Goa where it is an essential ingredient if a fiery urrack which is a first distillate of the canu apple juice. The final is of course feni which is 3rd distillate.
A part of urrack, half of Limca, a part of of soda, couple of lemon wedges and drop in a green chilly. Top up with ice.
PS – that was to answer that Limca is available over here.
PS – urrack is seasonal available for 2-3 months only. Very deceptive and assuring with a kick at round 3.
Caju apple, not canu, sorry
El Presidente indeed 🙂 KP. Presiding over our household is about my limit these days. 🙂
Thanks for the sound advice, wherever we end up it will be lawyers who will deal with every legality including immigration. A lot of thought will need to be health minded for me with good local thoracic surgery, at a good hospital. I agree it’s essential to have a well thought of local break you into the area with the locals and officials particularly in semi rural areas.
Once we find an area we like, we’ll rent somewhere decent in the area for a summer and see if it’s a good fit. If that fails, we could end up going to a different country and renting each year for 4/6 months, such as around Lake Como and then back here for our winter, next year France, then Spain and so on.
I’ll be at least 70 by the time Mrs T is clear of hand-over obligations and be free to retire. The years fly by much quicker as you get older, sad to say.
Hoopah – and drop in a green chili?
Does this get eaten at the end or for light heat infusion? Either way it’s about 15 years too late for my aging digestion.
Sounds fun, though. 🙂