I wrote a 500 word article about the things Pep taught everyone around him and then it hit me that you can’t beat him to his own game, so I started fresh.
Two managers, playing the same brand of football with equally technical players drilled for years are set to face each other in a major cup final for the first time and we will see who outclasses whom. Both of ’em have been fighting for the Premier League with Mikel falling short of his guru every single fucking time – but could this be a season where he can win the title and a beat him in a cup final? It starts today.
First, you can’t beat Pep to his own game. If Mikel has a game plan totally based on what Pep taught him during his City game, it’s not going to end well for us. He has to ‘unlearn’ some of that, take a leaf out of Wenger’s attacking football, score a couple and park the fucking bus like Mourinho used to. If you can’t score one, you have your own set piece strategy, make use of that. I won’t mind us winning 1-0 from a corner because it has been ages since we won something of importance.
Some Pep v Mikel stats
Ever since Mikel took over as Arsenal manager, we have faced City 12 times in the Premier League, Pep won the first 7, while in the last 5 games – Mikel won 2 and we have shared points the other 3 times.
In the FA cup, Mikel beat him in the 2020 season semi finals when we went ahead to win the only title under him. We lost to them 1-0 in 2023 though in the 4th round.
In the Carabao Cup, we only faced City once where Pep outclassed Mikel in a thumping 4-1 win in 2020.
The only other game where they both faced wach other was the 2023 community shield which ended in a 1-1 draw and we won it with penalties but I don’t give a fuck about it. Let Pep count it as a major trophy because he believes it counted as a quadruple for him.
9 wins for Pep, 3 for Mikel while they both shared points for the other 4 times. Mikel has been able to get points of the City in recent years so it’s not as bad as it looks. There’s a chance today.
Team News
We look fine. Except for Odegaard and Timber, everyone is available while both of them will be assessed before the game. I think Eze will play ahead of Ode even if the captain is fit but we do need Timber to make it. White had looked rusty, I love him but I have more confidence in Timber recently.
Kepa has been the keeper of the Carabao Cup. The tradition calls him to play today while a team that’s looking to win a trophy should play the best XI available. Is Mikel picking up Raya ahead of Kepa – it would be an interesting decision from him. I would go with Raya. There is no need for emotional crap when there’s a trophy on the line. Pick your best XI and Kepa will get his medal if you win.
Gyokeres is certainly starting for me. I won’t mind if we go with Madueke in place of Saka since the starboy has struggled a bit recently form-wise.
Wrapping Up
Right, a win today will boost the confidence of the lads and will motivate them to win some more. We are doing well in all 4 competitions and today could be a deciding factor of how we end up in PL, CL and FA Cup.
We are already competing with City in the Premier League – 9 points difference with 7 games to go and City has a game in hand. There is an Etihad visit lined up for us, so they are still in the mix.
In the FA cup, there is a very high probability that we would face them in semis or finals. They play Liverpool while we are against Southampton in the Quarter Finals.
Today’s not the end of it. It’s only the beginning and whoever wins it, will count it as first and use it for motivation for the rest of the season.
See you during the game.
On another note, BBC and Netflix have ruined the Peaky Blinders movie. It’s shite.
Aitcho
It feels to me as if they’re turning a corner. Blackstenius has upped her game from merely being an enthusiastic runner to a proper threat with a bit more composure. A slightly downgraded Russo if you will.
I also wonder if the team is starting to win the psychological battle against Chelsea who are a little in decline if you ask me.
I’m a little worried that Maanum seems to be more peripheral in games on the other hand.
I wouldn’t say Slegers has been playing it safe. Rather there was a collective malaise earlier in the season where the chances kept flowing but goals weren’t going in. That period when they couldn’t buy a decent result anywhere was deeply frustrating.
I think they’ll have more than enough for the spuds this weekend and that they’ll come second in the WSL. I hope you enjoy the game. I may try to get to the Villa match with my daughter.
KP, that’s the annoying thing, like the men’s team, we’ve finally seem to have got to grips with Chelsea only now they’re on a decline and the Mancs have seized the baton as we flop against the lesser lights. LCL seem to be finding their feet now as well, with their investment it’s expected
They’re the shiny new team on the block and they’ve beefed up their team, coaching staff and academy at a rapid rate. Another one to keep an eye on for next season.
With the games in hand we should sneak third and ManC will find next season more difficult having to manage Europe as well.
We controlled a lot of games earlier in the season but I didn’t think we were creating much. That was the main problem and, with the forward options we have, inexcusable.
You should try and get to the Villa, we’ve been to Wembley with the women’s team but only to WHL for away games. I’ve been taking both son and daughter for years. In the banter era I felt obliged to take them to an Arsenal team that was actually some cop and where I didn’t feel aggrieved paying for them to lose concentration after half an hour as it was so much cheaper. The odd games at the Emirates along with occasional trips to that stadium in Barnet brought some Arsenal related joy. Although they’ve had to endure getting rolled over by Chelsea at home and Wembley. At least the hikes home were less miserable with better weather and lower crowds.
Everton’s the last game in our bundle but may go to Leicester as it’s a convenient time rather than the manic Saturday’s getting from a kids’ game to the Ems for midday ko
Hope you make the Villa game, should be a good one after we take care of Chelsea next week
I don’t know if you’ve been to the ‘KingPower’ (shit stadium, shit name) but it’s either directly on or very close to the old Filbert Street. I spent a lot of time watching Leicester in the 70s and had a weird flashback visiting a few years ago to watch Cardiff play the Foxes. It really felt as though I was a 10 year old again watching my first ever Arsenal game (a 4-1 away defeat!) in the dark and dismal environs of the East Midlands in winter.
Enjoy the NLD – this one is starting to mean as much to us as the men’s one.
Watching the England friendly last night, after about 15 minutes it was easy to predict that there was a risk of injury as the ref was way too lenient as Uruguay are a team who take these kind of games way too seriously with no consideration for the opposition.
The tackle on Foden was a leg breaker but was overlooked by VAR and there was a general undercurrent of hostility that wasn’t warranted in such a meaningless match .
Uruguay celebrated a draw as if they won the world cup , for Enland to even consider to play a physical side like Uruguay at this stage of the season was a crass decision .
So now we have madueke injured which is unfortunate but may prove to be a blessing in disguise as it opens the door for Dowman to get more minutes and he may just make the difference with his ability to commit defenders in tight games.
Wicksy
Saka is looking a little jaded if Madueke is going to be out for a few weeks (he left the ground wearing a knee brace so god knows what damage he’s done) expecting Dowman who’s 16 to come in / be cover and make a difference in 3 pivotal matches is expecting too much of him.
Let the kid develop into the outstanding player he looks like he’s going to be at a sensible pace.
Inclined to agree Marc, Super Max shouldn’t be expected to play more than a bit part in our run in at his age.
I can’t imagine any plan for the season was based on him doing more than that as good as he is and will be. Arteta needs to and I expect will have better plans than that
Aitcho
Dowman could have a higher ceiling than Saka – we have other options if Saka needs to be rested – Martinelli and Jesus being the most obvious.
Aitcho
“Inclined to agree Marc, Super Max shouldn’t be expected to play more than a bit part in our run in at his age.”
Of course Dowman shouldn’t be starting in the league or Europe , but that doesn’t mean he can’t start in the FA cup at Southampton as he played more of a bit part at Mansfield and was probably our most Influential player.
If fit ,no doubt saka will be starting in Europe and the league but what Dowman could give us coming on as sub if we need a goal is what he gave us against Everton …creativity and a goal threat, and I would take Dowman all day long to make more of an impact coming on for 15 or 20 minutes than Martinelli, jesus or Trossard.
Let’s be honest if Trossard hadnt been injured and had been on the bench against Everton I doubt if Dowman would have been given a chance to change the course of the game in such a dramatic way and that is why I am convinced that .madueke’s injury will produce a similar scenario, Dowman may only be 16 but he has a mature football brain similar to Fabregas when wenger brought him into the first team , occasionally in football a young player arrives on the scene who is difficult to hold back …fabregas, Rooney and Michael Owen made the transition to senior football seamlessly as will Dowman.
Personally I think we had nothing to lose by giving Dowman 15 minutes to change the game in the league cup final the way he changed the game v Everton.
Tudor’s gone…that puts him in Brian Clough (Leeds – see ‘The Damned United’s) and Liz CuntyBastard Truss territory. Fuck me, what a mess. It’ll be something if the new manager is just as bad.
Talk is the Spuddies are going after Sean Dyche – would he accept the job when its got no chance of becoming permanent if he’s successful unless they offer him a stupid amount of money?
You really wouldn’t be surprised to see Redknapp wheeled out.
KP, and just like that, the women are looking comfortable for Europe.
I should have taken in some of your relaxed approach but sitting in fourth, ManU potentially going clear, Spurs hovering behind and that bloody nil nil previously. It got me twitchy.
Don’t know why I even doubted now.
You even called it on Stina. I’ll confess, she’s a player that I’m never convinced about bu she pops up and gets goals without catching the eye like Russo or Smith. A good finish too.
Until very close to the end however, there were sniffs of a comeback. Mariona was off and Little dropped off the pace and should have been subbed earlier.
I’m also loving Lotte’s growth. She’s started to take on that leadership role and playing like she owns that space. And she clearly understands the importance of sticking it to Spuds.
Good to see Russo bang again after the underwhelming earlier in the season, but that was as much collective than just about her.
I’ve been offered tix for Chelsea next week, Chelsea section however. I’m in two minds after the grief a couple of outed Spuds fans in front of us got yesterday. It’s a women’s game, but it’s also Chelsea.
Redknapp or Dyche?
I really don’t think either of them will be taken seriously by the players.
Imagine being Romero, already on the blower to your agent, and seeing those fools come in.
I’m certain the half the squad that hadn’t already checked out had now.
My only worries, we beat West Ham to win the league and Spurs stay up.
Or FA rule on 115 charges, dock them points and Spuds stay up. That would be more than annoying.
My solution is 20pts per season for every season since the breaches were uncovered.
I did end up going to Stamford Bridge for the women’s semi final. More comfortable than I envisaged.
Job done. Solid all round performance. Chelsea didn’t do much until the late stages.
Lauren James is a baller but the way she’s used reminds me of Juve in the 90s where the objective is no more ambitious than try not to let in goals and hope Del Piero can provide the magic. Not just Juve, it seemed to be a thing across the board in Italian football Channel 4 golden age. Perhaps that’s as much a consequence of one live match a week and a single highlights programme
Impressed with Lotte again. Van Domselar made some great saves at the end.
If, however, we’d shown a bit more ruthlessness on our counters, I feel we could have given them a spurs-worthy battering
That stadium is still as grim as it ever was. We had been given seats in the West view area, apparently upwards of 3k for an ST there, promising padded seats and fine dining. A fraud on paying fans who must not know any better.
I get that we’re a little spoilt at the Ems and the toilet bowl makes me feel a little jealous but we could have it so much worse stadium wise.
Perhaps I’ll complain marginally less when ST renewal email drops.
Aitcho
A few years ago I worked at a company who made a pretty large investment (€60 millon) on the main part of a new production line. My line manager used to tell people it’ll be the most advanced line in the world – until the next one it built.
Stadiums are a pretty similar thing – its amazing to think the Emirates is 20 years old this summer.
Where the fuck did that time go?
I watched the second leg. As you say, relatively straightforward in the end but some hairy moments in first 5 amd last 5 minutes. That said, Chelsea never looked like catching up. The team looked composed, ready for whatever Chelsea had and were calm and collected. A thoughtful and strategic approach to the game expertly run from the touchline.
McCabe is one of my favourites along with KL. Always in the thick of it when some aggression is required. Someone taking you on and leaving you for dead while sporting a long flowing pony tail must be a serious temptation and so it proved. Bompastor is the female doppelganger of Stubborn…too short tempered and over reactive. He and her would make an interesting ice skating pair…
Through to the semis where it’ll be tougher I think. With Barca surely awaiting if they make the final.
Agreed with you about Lotte. Crazy name, crazy and rapid advance in her importance to the team. She’s now a vital part of defence whereas she was previously making up the numbers. My daughter thinks the world of her.
Good display last night as a sub by Taylor Hinds. Best game I think I’ve seen her play for us.
https://share.google/N5zsMaKV3vIqcgs3y
I’m a day late reading this, but a pretty clever April Fool’s article.
Although there are a few games before we face City at the Etihad it is a match that could determine how successful (or not) our season turns out.
Will a change of keeper be the deciding factor, the mistake by Kepa for their first goal was crucial but I think the change of keeper in a few weeks could have a say on how city play on the day.
In the league cup final City allowed Kepa to have the ball unchallenged, especially in the 2nd half as Kepa became confused as to what to do with the ball and City congested the play in our half and in the end the pressure told as we had no out ball and no real pace up front to cause them problems with the ball over the top.
Raya will start at the Etihad and Pep will have to make a decision on whether to use similar tactics in allowing Raya all the time in the world on the ball.
Personally I don’t think Pep will employ similar tactics as in the final as Raya is on a different level to kepa with the ball at his feet , plus Arteta will probably play Martinelli for his pace, and what that will do is stop City pushing up and congesting the play as Raya is more than capable of hitting a raking 40/50 yard ball over the top for Martinelli to run onto.
Playing Kepa in the final was a naive mistake by Arteta and was probably the deciding factor as to how the game played out, of course changing the keeper for the match at the Etihad will give us more of a chance but Arteta will need to be more tactically astute this time as Pep certainly out thought him in the final.
Fortunately the pressure will be all on City as we only need a draw but as we have seen before, unlike Arsenal City and Pep can usually handle the pressure.
We are also looking for Chelsea to do us a favour next week, Chelsea should be a tough nut to crack at the Bridge despite their poor form.
We have Bournemouth before City go to the bridge who are unbeaten since January , in fact their last defeat was against us on jan 3rd , though they do tend to draw a lot of games but we should have a strong team available with the majority having had a few weeks to rest as I think Arteta will go with mostly back up players v Southampton tomorrow.
Wicksy
Do you honestly think bar an injury to Raya we’ll ever see Kepa play for Arsenal again?
And I include tomorrow in that.