We went in the game a little heavy with almost all first teamers apart from Timber in place of Zinchenko/Tierney and Trossard for Martinelli.
Barcelona scored first when Odegaard lost a ball in their half and Ezzalzouli did a great run before Lewandowski scored from a tap-in. We levelled back in 12th minute when Saka scored a brilliant goal. This kid just can’t stop scoring, can he? One thing to notice was Ben White was too high up the pitch both during when we conceded and scored. This leaves us with just a Saliba and Gabriel in a counter attack, and that’s why Partey’s midfield handling becomes important.
We had a Penalty awarded of a handball in 21st minute. Saka put it out wide, can happen with anyone but we seriously need to mix it up. We are making it easier for the opposition to read of Saka’s penalty game.
Barca scored again when a deflection from Odegaard lands into the net, of a free hit from outside the box. Now call what you want, it wasn’t a Ramsdale mistake but Ode’s. You don’t shy away from the kick if are standing as a wall.
Saka helped us again to level up in 42nd minute when he lofted a ball to Odegaard in the box which Havertz guided in the goalpost. 2-2 at half time.
A long ball in 55th minute, which Jesus guided to Trossard, who scored an inch-perfect goal. A lovely strike from Smith Rowe was saved few minutes later and a Dembele’s shot hit the woodwork at our end. Soon after in 78th minute, Trossard scored his second from a Tierney’s pass, leading us to 4-2. Barca scored in 87th minute to make it 4-3. However, within couple of minutes, we reclaimed our 2 goal difference when Vieira scored a perfect left-foot goal from outside the box. It was a beautiful goal, perhaps the best of the day.
Overall, we were good in attack and could have easily scored few more. We also need to iron out mistakes defensively, because out of those 3 goals, 2 would have not happened if Ode was a bit more aggressive. Partey showed us all, why I’m against selling him this season. He has been the backbone of our game, and replacing him with Rice without a handover would cost us. Think of Rice as a rotation to Partey and not a replacement for this season, and this solves our both problems – Partey’s injury and no drop in performance!
I think Arteta is still experimenting with Timber, after playing him at right back and left back. We will see what position he takes up but defensively we have enough options and there shouldn’t be any concern for any out of form players. When fit, Tomi is a world class player who can deputise at both ends and at CB. White can play RB, CB, so can Timber. Tierney is looking sharp, Zinny will be in the fold and Kiwior has started picking up things.
Partey is most likely not leaving this season, so our midfield looks even better. Rice can deputize him, Havertz, Trossard can cover #8, ESR is back to fitness and a fight for LW between Trossard and Martinelli is going to be an interesting one.
Couple of weeks more, if you are bored without football.
Almunia
Thank you for expressing my feelings better than I could have ever done. I did for awhile make the point about how Guen’s value was destroyed by Arteta from 40mil to pittance at LG and was attacked for that.
.
Using the phrase of drinking the Kool Aid sums best up what some fans are experiencing total deception by Arteta and playing the media to his advantage will underscore their believe in Arteta as the 2nd coming.
.
Abraham Lincoln said:
“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
You can fool the AKBs all the time but you can’t fool all Arsenal supporters all the time.
Almunia—just a few red flag moments:
(1) on the heels of a rather unusual and fortuitous FA victory, our manager in training selfishly opted for a short-sighted retool, then when things inevitably went tits up, due to the amatuer hour tactics, he had the unmitigated gall to suggest that this was all part of his youth-based 5 year plan
(2) the passive aggressive manner in which he dealt with the whole Auba affair leading up to the Spurs match, when he actually had a press conference to publicly state that he was going to keep things in-house…it was one of the most contrived and disingenuous acts I’ve seen perpetrated by an Arsenal manager…it even bested the PR smear campaign orchestrated by Wenger’s minions when he wanted to turn the fanbase against our best player by far at the time, Sanchez…who the fuck uses the most public of forums to keep things under wraps, a manipulative twat with an agenda
(3) the seemingly endless list of excuses and glaring lack of accountibility, especially in light of his supposed “zero tolerance” managerial approach…now if he held himself or his favourites, like our former Swiss miss, to the same exceedingly high standards, then my opinion on such matters would be decidely different…unfortunately that was not the case, in fact quite the opposite, and as such it left me with the overwhelming sense that we were dealing with a rather spiteful and capricious little man, who just might be phony as fuck
these were just a few things that came to mind following your earlier post, but of course I could go on and on…take care
Almunia
Ah, I didn’t realise they’d all left the sofa. That’s a blow. I’d like to think they had three pugnacious, no nonsense geezers lined up to replace them but everything like that is becoming more bland and safe. The mad thing about the coverage on this side of ‘your’ sea is the sheer number of people that have to be out there in Aus/NZ using up hotel space, oxygen and all sorts of other shite in a failed bid to add ‘orfenticity’. The vast majority of punditry could be done from a studio in Dublin or London or even on a fucking televised zoom call. Ultimately its the punters that pay.
ABE – Anyone but England! I remember Andy Murray saying that in response to a question about who he wanted to win the WC.
The cricket was terrific. Broad was never one of my favourites but what a parting shot. Some revenge in that 5th test too because Australia was smarting after the ball change on day 4 it seems. Whinging Aussie bastard Ricky Ponting! I read too that England locked Australia out of some post series drink up.
Snooker. Hoping to see some more magic from Mark Williams and, I know we disagree here, but there is something mesmeric about watching ROS in top form. Do you think Brecel will start to rise now? I quite like him but he reminds me of this horrible stoaty little character who lives in my village!
.. And the Rugby World Cup. Not sure what’s happening with Sexton and the potential ban, but assuming he’s there, I’d love to see Ireland do it. We should have a virtual LiR sweepstake to establish rugby bragging rights.
Oh, and I think Maguire has gone to Carlisle according to the interweb.
The Bluebirds are, however, hoping to sign a Grealish-type winger called Josh Bowler on loan from Blackpool.
I’m sure I read Sexton’s ban was overturned and he’s fine for WC. Would love to see Ireland win but NZ look like they’re back where they want to be. France at home have to be in with a good shout too. England sadly, from my pov, will be also rans. Didn’t get rid of Jones soon enough to give Borthwick a chance to build.
Yep,it’s either NZ or France for me also. Unfortunately if Ireland get out of their group they will be meeting one of those 2 teams in the quarters so another early exit seems likely. My understanding of the Sexton ban is that he will miss ireland’s warm up games as his suspension but will then be clear for the competition proper.
Sorry about the Carlisle blunder,must have only glanced at the heading! Charlton have been bought and sold,again,but there really seems to be very little investment on the playing side. Very little money exchanges hands between clubs at that level. Signings seem to be free transfers or out of contract players so it’s hard to tell about the quality of signings when you’re not in the know.
I see BBC did a poll for the combined ashes team,only 3 Aussies made it,but not Smith,I’m amazed at that. You can still go in and vote. The dates for the Indian tour have been a announced so it’s something to look forward to in the new year though I have a feeling that this will be a thoroughly exciting premiership season and the cricket may have to take a back seat. Fingers crossed Mbappe doesn’t go to one of our rivals on this proposed one year loan. He’d make a big difference wherever he lands.
I think if ABC did a similar poll, you’d get a few more Aussies! Smith would get in my team, so would Kawarja, Cummins and Starc. Spinner is a difficult choice!
Two great friends of mine are talking about trying to get to a Test in India early next year, it’s on my bucket list! They’ve got a great story of getting stoned with Tufnell and Dermot Reeve on a previous tour.
Agree about Mbappe- let him rot or go to Saudi if RM can’t come up with funds this year. Would be equally excited and disgusted if he came for a season to Arsenal.
Ms K and I are seriously thinking about watching some overseas cricket in our dotage. I fancy Pakistan, NZ or Sri Lanka – she wants to return to the Caribbean.
The problem with that Aussie team is that many of them seem like a-holes. I suspect its partly to do with the coaches and their win at any cost approach. Starc seems like a decent guy but Warner, Lyon, Carey and Smith fail the humanity test for me. I see they wheeled out the arch misanthrope Ponting to moan about that ball change. It’s one of those rare times in the last 40 years where both sets of players look equally matched. Hopefully Archer will return to fitness and get back in the team. Imagine facing him and Wood at either end.
I’ve heard Galle in Sri Lanka is great. 100% want to go to a Caribbean Test, trouble is they fleece the England supporters who go in such great numbers. A friend bought a flat in the development stage in Barbados but unfortunately it’s an ongoing court case due to a dodgy developer so that prospect looks very unlikely now!
Cummins also fits into the decent category but take your point around the others!
The thing I’d say about Cummins is that when Carey threw at the stumps, Stokes asked Cummins if he wanted to withdraw the appeal on Bairstow being out and Cummins of course declined. It rather reinforces the point that becoming a high-level aussie sportsman is a gateway to becoming a wanker. Classic cause and effect.
All other major teams have run-ins with the Australians. South Africa, India and Pakistan to name three. They are the common denominator when it comes to disputes between teams. The Spurs of international cricket.
I see the 100 has just started. Meh. Why piss about with T20? I think there’s even a T10 tournament somewhere these days (UAE perhaps?). What next for young people who can’t concentrate? T1? Or baseball?
Bob
If you’ve not been, I definitely recommend some time in India. Charming and resourceful people, mad levels of vitality all day long and things to see and experience that are unique.
Kroenke, I’m overdue a second visit, spent six weeks in Southern India, in and out of Mumbai. After a week of questioning why they did this and that, I relaxed into their friendly, chaotic ways.
Will go to the North. My wife hasn’t been and is keen to go when we have more freedom!
Agree about the 100, trying to reinvent the wheel.
For me at the RWC would love to see Ireland lift the Ellis cup. If not I would be happy if NZ or France would do it. Finally as long as Scotland finish better then England that is all that matters especially if Duhan VDM has an excellent WC.
.
With Arsenal lets see what the Community Shield brings. There has to be a million click baits about Arteta and who is still coming in, who will be released and who will leave for pittance. The journos must know what AFC supporters click on. Well not me atm.
Hi Killroy
The mad thing for me is that if we win or lose this one against City I’m going to be fucked off either way.
– First there’s the split personality phenomenon which means in friendlies losses aren’t losses, they are merely training exercises – according to Arteta diehards – when we lose. If the result goes the other way and we win, the entire Artetapologist community hails it as the harbinger of world domination.
– But in practical, personal terms, if Arsenal win I might think ‘strange how we can do it when the pressure is off but never in the PL’…
– Lose, and I’ll be thinking it’ll be just like last season despite the money spent on new arrivals.
Esoteric stupid bullshit that I begin to think about at this time of the year. My ideal outcome for the game? A dominant display and a come-from-behind draw for 2-2 with us brushing them aside in the penalty shoot-out. Highly unlikely with our very own clown keeper Ronald McRamsdale between the sticks.
It’s just about Forest now, and hoping we don’t get bukkake’ed by Pep.
Are you going Bob? It’s not something I’ve ever really been attracted to although I once saw a charity shield game years ago in the Millennium in Cardiff where Drogba destroyed Djourou and Senderos I think. Never again…
PS
Moved on to anywhere nice? I know how much you must love Barcelona…
Not going Kroenke, not worth the hassle or cost. I’ll watch it though!
Agree about the result, a draw would be fine but while watching it I’ll obviously want a win.
Are these rumours about Raya real or just an agent trying to push interest from other clubs?
For me it looks like Arsenal is in the eternal rebuild mode. Read this line:
“Arsenal will confirm 5 more transfers immediately, as Arteta rebuilds the squad”
WTF, we are already in phase 4 rebuild 3 get a fucking team together that can challenge or even better kick the manager to the curb.
Bob
I just saw a hint of what you wrote and deleted you and your email. Simply put, just fuck off.
You need to grow up and understands what people tell you. You are so short sighted with your Arsenal views and probably life.
I don’t need people like you in my life, so my mistake inviting you.
I hope I don’t have to put it any clearer!
Whatever Tony….I was privately trying to be conciliatory and you now publicly tell me to fuck off. Message received.
Classic maneuver…rebuffed again