Brighton is a tough team to play against. They play high intensity, positive game and have Europe in mind. Having played 3 less games than Tottenham, who sits at the 6th position, Brighton could overtake them with a win. They are in a happy place but they know things can turn bad towards the end of the season, and won’t really be wishing to leave it to that. They will fight, and they will make things tough for us.
Today’s game comes with a relief for Arteta, both Solly March and Webster are ruled out of game and we are back in fine form. Saliba and Zinchenko are ruled out for the season, but Kiwior didn’t disappoint and Tierney is as good a player at LB. He might come up short in his midfield abilities, but I’m of the belief that a defender’s first priority is to defend well. Anything else is extra.
Having said that, I would really like him to excel in the three games left. Rumours about him leaving (or sold) is not a good news for me, I don’t know if we need to splash another 60m for a LB when we already have a lad covering it and doing well whenever given a chance. It would be like creating a problem and then fixing it.
For the rest of this season, we don’t have anything to win or lose now. I’m a generally optimistic person but everyone and their dog knows City are not going to drop points, and are not going to give away their 1 point lead with a game in hand. We feel the Liverpool’s frustration, in a short amount of time they have overtaken the title race. No doubt we have thrown it away ourselves by sharing points against the likes of West Ham and Liverpool after going 2-0 up, and against Southampton at home, but Pep is showing to us how hard it can be for any other team. Not only does he prepares his team tactically, he engrains in them a tough, winning mentality which allows them to perform at the top when needed the most.
It was nice till it lasted. It leaves us to the last three games, and I’m looking forward to finishing our season with 3 wins, and 90 points. It will keep the confidence high, make the incomings in the summer easier and gives us the confidence to pick ourselves up and retry again next season.
—
Back to the game, I’m expecting a a back 4 of White, Kiwior, Gabriel and Tierney. Jorginho would probably keep his place after a good game against Newcastle. Xhaka starts because he always do. We would see Saka, Odegaard and Martinelli behind Jesus, but I would personally like to see Eddie given a chance today. We are at home, we are playing Brighton and Eddie can do a job.
Trossard would like a game too, but unless we play in 2 competitions, I doubt we will see much of him. Mikel has his favorites and there is nothing wrong in that if it works. The only problem is, it don’t keep people happy. We need a strong bench, but good players don’t like to settle on the bench. A conundrum Mikel has to overcome, and we still have ESR and Eddie waiting, Balogun, Lokonga and Tavares returning, Saliba and Tomiyasu injured.
I would love to see a clean sheet. It felt sh*t to David De Gea winning the golden glove. I wouldn’t have mind if it was Ederson or Allison but lol.
Right, a short one today. Lets beat them seagulls and continue the quest of being the best out there. If you are saddened with missing out the trophy after being top of the table virtually the whole season, here’s some positive – we will be playing in Champions League next season, we will be fighting again for the trophy, Spu*s might not even make to Europa and London is red through and through.
#COYG
KP
Rock Hudson was gay lmao and not adding to that. 🙂 YMCA anyone?
I think Martinelli is another out til next season casualty after Caicedo demolition of him. Ankle I think, so it’ll have to be Trossard.
It’s the little things cats do with perception. They sense when to be around and talk to you. The mock punch ups are fun with the way they retract claws as the paws hit you and nibble you for affection. All new to me and enjoyable.
Junior is staying with his sister and Pumpkin for the last few days and today in BKK. He’ll follow a live stream and do the Pumpkin honors before the game.
Tony-just about to head out the door, thanks for the “incognito” advice, but I’ve done that on a few occasions and it rarely ended well…usually I would get so wound up that it led to an extended doghouse stay…like I said, if this match had greater implications I would somehow weasel my way out of the whole gig, as this is his 4th time down the aisle…as for your Emery comments, I do wonder what might have been, especially if he had any say regarding personnel…that said, I just don’t see him so much as a front-runner, but more of an overachiever type, which likely would have resulted in a more Wengerian Cup feel with the occasional success on other Cup/Europa fronts…two observations from that match, Klopp looked as if he would literally bite the kneecaps off the ref, if given the chance, when Mings boot went high on Gakpo and only a yellow was shown and Kompany was cutting quite the Bond villian/Terminator figure in the stands
as for the Spurs showing, I almost wished they had won, as it might have muddied the managerial waters…Mason is no PL level coach, so I would much rather fan sentiment went in his direction than towards Arne Slot, or someone similarly progressive…it’s clear that the players have no interest in seeing Mason roaming the sidelines next season
looks like Tierney is definitely on his way out come the summer!!
TRVL
I agree Emery is more a cup winning manager than winning titles; I imagine his brief was to win the EL cup for us to go into the CL. I see Villa more in the EL than the CL cups and possibly bag another EL cup trophy for Villa.
Have a fun time at the wedding.
Xhaka picked at LB ahead of Tierney… Let that sink in.
And bench looks underwhelming.
Someone going down the aisle for the 4th time must be pretty good at getting married…
The reason we play in red us because we were given shirts by Forest I seem to recall.
KP
Professional and rich to survive 3 divorces I’d say.
Looks like KT is leaving and the line up confirms it. Maybe BL asked Arteta to show what Xhaka’s got left in the tank. Our slowest defensive liability benching our solid LB with greyhound pace.
As long as Xhaka goes, it’s up to Arteta to bring home the goods next season with his 4th year at squad management.
We need to take their fans out of the game with some early domination. At least it’s not the FA Cup.
Not enough movement up front
Odegaard…. Fuck me.
Not unexpected with our defense
Utterly fucking brain dead.
What a bunch of hopeless cunts. I fucking loathe Arteta. He innately knows how to kill his own fans’ faith.
KP
We are so predictable. I guess 2nd half will be similar to the 1st half. I’d throw ESR and the kids on in the 2nd half. They can’t be worse than on the field at the moment.
Having a vertical challenged CF pretty much takes the aerial challenge from us out of the game bar set pieces.
No Win the Dog bounce then?
We’re worse than the 1st half.