Well, on one hand Arsenal has won last two league games against Southampton at St. Mary’s, one the other – Saints have not lost 3 league games in a row against Arsenal since 1971. One of that stat will no longer hold after today’s game and I am fu*king hoping it ain’t the Arsenal one.
We are visiting Saints today in a 3 PM game, a must win for us to remain in the mix of top 4. Loss in last two games had ruined our advantage but Champions League spot is well within reach. Beat the team you should, put in a shift against Manure, Chelsea, and Spuds and with a bit of luck, we will make it.
Team News
Both Partey and Tierney will most probably won’t feature this season. Alex Lacazette wasn’t available in training due to ‘private reasons’. Tomiyasu is still carrying his calf injury and apart from these 4, everyone else should be available.
We probably going to see a similar team to last week, with Eddie starting over Lacazette (if not available). The biggest conundrum would be the LB position where Xhaka started against Brighton. Frankly I do not want to see him again at LB, Arteta sacrificed both midfield and LB just to prove a point. When asked about it y’day this is what he had to say,
on if Granit playing at left-back disrupts the team…
souce:arsenal.com
When I’m convinced that I’m going to do something that’s best for the team, then it’s going to be judged on whether you win or you don’t win. The problem I guarantee was not Granit playing as a full back.
I do not believe him saying Granit as a full back was not the problem. We will get to know today if he learnt something out of it, or he makes a Willian situation.
Asked about the striker situation and whether Martinelli can be used as one, Arteta said he has many options and that we will get to know today. I don’t know I would have asked back about those ‘many options’ and why they have not been used till now when we all can see Laca do not score and we are struggling for goals. I guess that’s why they don’t invite me for his press conferences 😀
I have had so much to talk about his last press conference, but I’m trying to be optimistic today and leave it for some other time. Lets hope we earn all 3 points against Saints, cut short the goal differences and get back some confidence for rest of season.
Wrapping Up
We are competing against Spu*ds for the 4th position. They are playing Brighton today, lets hope them lot do us a favor by beating them at least 8-0.
And we don’t throw away another game against a bottom half opponent.
Short one today, see you in comments.
LONDON IS RED.
Oh boy. Brighton doing us a favor, lets make it count.. #COYG
How can we lose 3 games in a row against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton now? All those fancy English and heavy works in pre-match press conference means nothing if you lose 3 in a row against bottom half teams when you are fighting for top 4, with a 2 game in hand lead.
Mb,
I’m genuinely gobsmacked at how poor we are in an attacking sense. A real worry for me is that Saka,Esr,Martinelli will now be picked off by clubs who will offer more chance of success. Arteta’s legacy could be that of a golden chance wasted.
Almunia
I hope Edu ties Saka for few more years. 3 games at the start of season, 3 now in a row against bottom 10 – don’t think Arteta has any legacy to show of.
At this stage, I’m very inclined to say that he has done more damage to the club (Guen, Saliba, Auba, Mavro, White).
This level of crusty football isn’t a new thing. We’ve been snatching narrow wins at best. For three years now.
Non Arsenal people repeat the mantra that Arteta made us “harder to beat”. Statistically that’s untrue.
Or I’m told that people can “see what he’s trying to do”. Unless it’s trying to serve up awful football, I can’t see a thing.
What’s more puzzling is how we’re not even hearing a much as whispers about him being sacked. Either this is considered acceptable for our club or people have been seduced by the mumbo jumbo he spouts.
At least he’s woken up to the fact we need to find a way to win football matches. He says ‘we’ because he knows he can’t find a way.
Aitcho,
I’ve said this to you before but I’m dreading the announcement that the new contract is a done deal. That will be my Rubicon when it comes to Arsenal. I won’t be able to accept it I fear.
Lads, lads, lads
I disappear for a week and you can’t even muster enough support to beat Southampton for chrissakes?! Call yourselves gooners?
Fuck, what a shitshow no? Arteta has an ability to take us to depths we’ve never considered (at least for a 57 year old like me). Our entire season blown against three teams that we hitherto considered southern softies and pushovers. We’ve gone from CL contention to almost nothing in that space of time. The money will evaporate, and new players will not be interested in signing, not least because they’ll see a solipsistic, prissy little manager who’ll stab them in the back the minute their form dips. In essence, we’re fucked. I just need to find a way to ensure it matters less…
Almunia – I’m saving reading your piece til I’ve unpacked and had some lunch. It’s going to be a Sunday afternoon treat. Hope you’re all well – it’s Arteta FC that we’re watching. A million miles from what an Arsenal team ought to be.
Kroenkephobe,
Welcome back,hope you and the family had a good break,Arsenal suffered on in your absence,it’s agonising. There is absolutely no joy in having our doubts about Arteta confirmed,especially when the greatest fear is that he has/ is destroying a wonderful young bunch of players. I try not to be spiteful,but if in a few years time saka,esr,Martinelli etc aren’t here shooting the lights out it will be hard not to be very bitter. The hindsight of those who enabled him will be useless. That’s my fear. If a new contract is signed I’ll crack!!
Almunia
I was never a particularly strident Wenger or Emery out, both had earned the right to some respect for their achievements in the game.
I can’t fathom why Arteta appears to have been cut so much slack after all the time and money he’s wasted during his time in charge.
Even from a business sense, he’s doing the very opposite of Wenger, overpaying for players and then making them worthless. If nothing else, I really hope the owners take note of the money side of things.
Aitcho,
Is it too conspiracy theory-esque to think that someone has orchestrated a huge pr campaign on Arteta’s behalf? All the blogs are backing him militantly,binning those who criticise. And a huge number of posters have appeared defending him. I’m told it’s the same on twitter and other social platforms. But the real warning sign for me was how vehemently if not viciously his supporters were/ are in his defence ,often ignoring/ abusing sensible arguments. Not all of them I would like to add,but too many for comfort. I find the whole thing utterly bizarre.
I won’t mind a million if they come for me 🤣
I doubt though, it’s very difficult to buy or influence football fans and most of the blogs are run by fans.
So I will call it stupidity rather to support someone who is making things worse at Arsenal. There had been glimpse of good football but it doesn’t matter because season is 38 game long and we tanked it.
Add ab owners who don’t ask for any accountability and a technical director who do not want to set a target.
Mb,
If they come for you with money in hand, take it and run! It’ll be the only joy you’ll get from Arteta!
Ha ha, Stan’s money in my pocket would be better than paying for Auba to score goals for Barcelona.
Ambarish
Hiya mate. Just caught up with Almunia’s piece. One of his best and I’m one of many avid fans. To describe his Arsenal satires as a collection of brilliance is spot on so fair play to you. Loads of the sensible people still on le grove would love to read that I’m certain – can you put up a sneaky oblique link on there? Provided of course that Almunia and his expensive, crack legal team don’t have any copyright objections!
Almunia – Arsenal seen through the prism of the absolute fakeness of haute cuisine is very clever. Classy geezer that you are (!) I loved the fact that you avoided too much scatology. I’d have been tempted to go into the blandness and stodginess of the food which nevertheless causes everyone who watches it to incontrollably shit through the eye of a needle. But that’s just me speaking as a former diplomat.
Not seen a single frame of snooker yet – are you (at least) enjoying that televisual delight? Got any money on anyone in particular?
I don’t know if you’ve seen it but Ms K’phobe and I have been catching up with a lot of the Walking Dead. I love the old Romero takes on the Zombie culture and anything dystopian always rings my bell. I might try a satirical piece of my own based on it….
It’s almost inconceivable to imagine bloggers accepting favours in return for writing puff pieces about the club’s authorities but I’d rule nothing out in this day and age of fake news. Money in smelly brown envelopes? Possibly not, but I’m sure Pedro’s ridiculous ego would love receiving some frottage from the likes of Mark Gonnella (aka england’sbest at least in my court of public opinion) in return for some sense of being on the inside. If so, it’s fucking sad and a million miles away from the original ethos of fanzines. His writing these days is so divorced from reality its unreadable and wholly unbelievable. Things have almost turned full circle where you’re thinking you’ll get more honesty and credibility from Arsenal.Com
You on the other hand Ambarish are keeping it ‘real in the field’ thankfully.
Almumia’s piece was the most read (in terms of unique visitors) till now at london is red, a privilege to host it here. I did post it on le-grove, some of them loved it.
Agree with Aluminas observation. This is Dictators -in a- democracy simulation, wherein opinions are manufactured by an IT cell or farmed out to a Cambridge A. type of unit.
Arsenal unconcerned owners seem to have left the Club account solely to the discretion of the dictator-manager , for such things to be possible.
Did throw it on the face of an accomplice blogmaster . Must have been inconvenient truth ,because was binned thereafter.