Before I begin, I want to thank you all for sticking to the blog. This is the 300th article on LONDON IS RED. I started this in March 2021 out of frustration; fans saw Arteta as the next Arsenal God without anything to back up those claims and I wanted a place where people can be critical of the team they support without being told off. We have celebrated the wins, we have criticized the losses and we will keep doing it. There’s no agenda here and we don’t worship any manager or player but the club.
The beauty of Champions League is that there’s a better wanker out there than you. Arteta loves to control the game and sometimes, it comes at the cost of boring, uninspiring football where you see your striker defending in your own box. Well, he gets to play someone who does it better and been doing it for much longer. If the rules permit, Simeone will jump on the pitch himself to add an extra defender. We are going to see two of the most defensively drilled teams play together in the Champions League today and you shouldn’t expect an exciting, goal laden match.
However, it’s a home game and with 2 wins in first 2 games, you have the advantage of going for a win. Atletico are one of the worst teams to play against. They crushed Frankfurt earlier with 5 different goal scorers and almost made a comeback against Liverpool at Anfield after going down 2-0 in first 10 minutes which they lost ultimately, thanks to an extra time goal from Van Dijk.
Team News
Both our midfielders in Zubimendi and Rice has earned 2 yellow cards in first two matches, and if they happen to receive another one, they will get a one match suspension. Playing them together will have the risk of missing out on both in the next game, and hopefully Mikel is not that foolish.
Without Odegaard, we would have to rely on a midfield of Eze, Rice/Zubimendi and Merino. Yes, Nwaneri is not going to get his starts anytime sooner and both Rice and Zubimendi shouldn’t be on the pitch, which leaves us with Merino. Against Atletico, I would be tempted to start Martinelli, he is in goal scoring form and can run through their defence.
Saka-Gyokeres-Martinelli up top does the job for me. Defence will pick itself, with Timber and Calafiori on either side and the best CB partnership will start.
Wrapping Up
You can’t relax against them. You can’t think 2-0 is enough. You can’t try to dictate the game because they will be tough to break and you simply can’t park the bus hoping for a set piece goal because that’s what they have been doing since 2011. What’s the way then? Attack.
We should go into the game with a positive, fearless mindset. We have a solid defence and with an attacking midfield, we could create them some problems. The game will not be played in the middle, so the onus lies on Saka, Gyokeres and Martinelli/Trossard to convert whatever they get in the opposition penalty box.
Also, we will get to know who the master of dark arts is. See you during the game.
Arsenal Goal scorers list is out for this season and I am updating it regularly. We don’t have the desired results from the front 3 so far, with Timber an Zubimendi in top 3 in Premier League; Champions League stats looks okay though. Take a look –
How about this you plum, don’t go changing but don’t embarass yourself like this?
The Real Vieira Lynn
October 26, 2025, 6:01 pm
how about this Achoo, you keep my name out of your Kool-Aid loving mouth and I promise not to show up at your workplace and knock the dick out of your mouth…does that sound fair little guy?
there’s nothing quite like living rent-free in your head, except that it’s lonely as fuck in here…I’m starting to think that you’re just trying to up your online cred by having your namesake so intimately connected to my words…just imagining you nibbling on bits of wood and bark in a dark cellar while combing over my every post gives me so much fucking pleasure…keep it coming fucknuts
Vera imagines a ‘mass youth exodus’ and gets mad about the thing he imagined. On the basis of us flogging two youngsters who weren’t the required level.
Original Vera’s Fables
The Real Vieira Lynn
February 2, 2025, 8:15 pm
there’s nothing wrong with celebrating any victory against City, even when it’s clear this side is the weakest on his watch…I’m never going to look that gift horse in the mouth…that said, it means considerably less than a win when best-on-best was required…between the miscues of two of their most senior players and their inability to craft chances in open play, without the use of crosses, they were in for one, unless we squandered all of our grade A chances(lord knows we tried)…far too often this season we’ve kept opposing teams in the match by our wasteful play, which is why injecting the kids into the lineup needs to be vigorously maintained, as they’re clean slates in that regards
furthermore, we had better find a way to have Ethan re-upped before season’s end (if it hasn’t happened already)…we can’t appear to be experiencing a mass youth exodus, especially after losing a couple of our highest rated prospects…it’ll
If it gives you pleasure too I might as well keep it coming. A win/win.
Imagine whatever you like, that’s one thing you’re good at, football certainly isn’t.
I’ve been going for the low hanging fruit so far.
In Vera’s imagination, our best youth prospects are part of an Arteta inspired ‘exodus’ and Tets wouldn’t fancy Eze.
In the real world, our best youngsters are queueing up to sign, extend and renew along with Eze. World class daftness over extended period of time Vera. I can go to literally any post to find your Anti Arteta fan fic. Move on you dummy, it’s not 2021, we’ve moved on.
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 11, 2024, 5:24 am
Tony—I thought that might have been the case…just thought it best to clarify…agree with your Ode take…in fact, we’ve been quite fortunate that Norway has been piss-poor on the international scene or he likely would have been injured much sooner…if Ode isn’t available, I have a feeling that Jorginho will play a more advanced role, as he can pick a pass on occasion…surely he’s the far more more palatable option, considering MA’s risk-averse tendencies, which is why many of our most prominent academy pieces have sought opportunities elsewhere
I’m likewise a strong proponent of your Eze initiative…unfortunately he doesn’t fit MA’s MO, as he’s a player who tends to be selfish in front of goal,
still not a single worthy tidbit…holy shit you’re bad at this…you had better hope that your legal guardian doesn’t catch you pulling your pud with that pencil sketch you drew of me taped to your visor
You should apologise to whoever has had to endure your drivel wherever you posted it. All that hot air when you don’t know a thing about the game.
Mistaking verbiage for wit isn’t the answer my man.
Let’s pick a post, any post out the last 300. BrB
what a weak-ass last gasp shot over the bow…if you apology to me in a timely fashion, I’ll consider taking it easy on you if you ever make a similar mistake in the future…based on what’s transpired here today you would be wise to jump on that offer before you get verbally boat raced again
Stupid takes from Divvy Vera, Chapter 12, the ďifficult years. Nicholas Jackson over last season’s top scorer. Give me strength. So daft.
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 21, 2024, 3:37 pm
I would gladly take Nicolas Jackson over Havertz…he’s got energy to burn, goals in him, albeit he’s still got work to do
Be quiet Millhouse. You don’t half waffle.
Apologise to some dolt who pretends online he’s got the minerals to come to my workplace. You don’t fool me Vera, you’re a bit feeble.
What a fucking weirdo.
“I demand an apology!”
Be quiet you Harry Fucking Potter in drag.
The Real Vieira Lynn
October 26, 2025, 11:40 pm
what a weak-ass last gasp shot over the bow…if you apology to me in a timely fashion, I’ll consider taking it easy on you if you ever make a similar mistake in the future…based on what’s transpired here today you would be wise to jump on that offer
MB, I think you’ll get your 1000 comments today.
Admittedly, it’ll be recycled Vera daft takes but hey, I’ve missed out on at least a year of his stupidity, got some catching up to do.
Ask me nicely and I might apologise Vera.
I probably won’t but it’s worth you trying.
BRB, got some posts to trawl.
Vera rated a striker, who wasn’t even rated at all by his own fans, over our top scorer last season
Some weird level of hate. Or plain footballing stupidity.
Or both. I’ll be kind and just put it down to stupidity.
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 21, 2024, 3:48 pm
not to mention Nunez has potted two strikes that Havertz could only dream of scoring…I’m not sure he could have scored them if he was by himself on the training pitch
Vera’s imagination tells him ESR leaving was for reasons other than talent.
His form at Fulham shows how deluded you are Vera. Proper tin foil loon theories. Yet again.
Koo Koo theory from Vera.
Smith Rowe scores again today with assist from Iwobi. Could be the winner.
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 21, 2024, 4:32 pm
that’s why he was shown the door…MA can’t be having those with a real eye for goal in his starting 11
Vera’s imaginary career as a ref. What sort of dummy comes on a blog page to tell porkies?
A dumb one
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 24, 2024, 5:38 pm
I beg you to resist any such temptations moving forward…as I stated, we too benefited greatly from the actions, or lack thereof, of the on-field official, so to only focus on the negative would land you squarely within the ranks of the AKB simpletons, at least on this particular issue
as someone who has officiated a variety of different sports over the years, I can unequivocally state that even though it’s
It’s all delulu. l
Vera suspects that Rice was shoehorned in to his current position because of ‘assurances made to secure the deal’
Any evidence? Vera’s imagination.
He also suspects there’s more to ‘stay humble’ than Haaland being a prick. Source, Vera’s addled brain
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 29, 2024, 3:54 pm
Marc—I think it’s a two-part problem…firstly, there are times, like with Rice, where he needs to shoehorn so as to secure a player…
..
as I queried before, why would Haaland go out on a limb to tell MA to “stay humble” unless there was something much more substantive behind his comment
You may well ask. Then create a scenario to get worked up over Vera.
For something that never happened, you don’t half ramble on about it.
You’ve let it become true in your fevered imagination and that’s not bad but sad Vera
The Real Vieira Lynn
September 28, 2024, 4:45 pm
—which is why we supposedly got Rice…little did we know that MA had given him assurances involving his final third pie in the sky wet dreams
Vera imagines last season’s top scorer was paying off journos to praise last season’s top scorer.
And if that though that thing he imagined isn’t true, he’s miffed. So weird.
The Real Vieira Lynn
October 12, 2024, 5:27 am
can someone tell me why I can’t swing a dead cat without hitting an article praising our resident non-Striker Kai Havertz?? it just seems a little peculiar considering the other potential storylines…don’t get me wrong, I think his more recent performances have been some of his best…in fact he actually scored what many would deem as a Striker’s goal, but nothing he’s done thus far is worthy of such unfettered praise…maybe he’s bankrolling this PR effort, as he certainly has the means, considering the ridiculous wages we gifted our gangly German tweener…so while some might call this a savvy piece of business, if this was proven to be the case I’ll be fucking disgusted