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 –
Vera playing the homophobia card on it being pointed out how much of his discourse is genital driven.
The homophobia is your suggestion that reasonable homosexuals share your obsession or inability to make a point without referring to genitals or neuro diversion like a washed out boomer.
if you can’t afford the help you.so desperately need, I’m sure there are subsidized therapists in your community that could at least start what will undoubtedly be a lengthy process..I must admit it’s been a minute since I’ve witnessed such extreme levels of douchebaggery by one individual…that said, I’m not upset about it, except that I feel for those who frequent this blog who were unnecessarily subjected to your messy unravelling…it’s clear that you have a myriad of issues and for that you have my deepest sympathy…hopefully in the future you will find a better way to exorcise your demons and by that I don’t mean harming small animals, like when you were a kid…best of luck
Ahem. Ya daft sausage. Reality is against your fevered imagination. Sesko was never first choice. Thankfully.
The Real Vieira Lynn
qJuly 9, 2024, 5:44 pm
I would suspect that MA might be sulking a bit as of late, after all his ego has taken a bit of a beating considering that his supposed first choice hires, Sesko and Zubimendi, both said thanks, but no fucking thanks…all that said, I think it’s important to reiterate that even though I’m rather intrigue by Calafiori, as of yet I haven’t seen anything to suggest that MA knows what the fuck to do with a marauding defender-type…in fact, quite the contrary, considering the dumb-down roles our CBs have been given in the opposition’s half, minus maybe the odd time Sideshow Bob strolled up top
sadly, I can actually imagine a scenario where we brought in a couple defenders, a DM, to free up Rice, rightly or wrongly, and a shit Keeper, then kept our underwhelming Striker trio and only spent a pittance of what was required on some front-side depth…as always, I hope I’m completely off base
As always you hope you’re wrong because you know you will be. You’re cute when you do passive aggressive. Also cute when you try aggressive.
Your problem is I can’t take you seriously.
Cheers
One last chance for me to apologise?
You can always ask
Under Arteta during his time at the club I feel we have had a problem when conceding the first goal as it means we lose control of the game, I believe Arteta and his coaches have looked closely at how our results are determined by who concedes the first goal as we are not a side that is comfortable chasing the game.
So what have we done this season is start games with less intensity and try to control the pace of the game to eliminate the danger of conceding and then having to chase the game.
The 3 goals we’ve conceded this season were probably all against the run of play and ended in a defeat , a last minute draw , and a last minute victory dropping a total of 5 points, the other ten games in all comps were victories without conceding a goal.
To give context to what I’m saying take a look at when we have scored our first goal in a league game and apart from calafiori’s goal in the 13th minute on the opening game of the season we have failed to score before the half hour mark in and of our subsequent 8 league games.
This suggests to me that the players are not being told to go out and blitz the opposition in the opening 3rd of the game , but to be patient , keep possession and don’t overstretched ourselves going forward and so far it has worked almost to perfection.
Of course there has to be an element of luck involved as we have given possession away occasionally early on without being punished , but my point is that by not going gung-ho in the opening phase of the game it minimises the danger of conceding.
We will probably see a different type of game in the league cup on Wednesday but it will be interesting to see how Burnley and Sunderland set up in the next 2 league games , will they defend deep like every other side this season or will they risk having an open game with the risk of being humiliated in front of their own fans.
My suspicion is that they will defend deep and look to catch us on the break , so expect a similar game to our previous 2 league games where we are very careful early on and take very few risks …unless of course there is an early goal from either side.
Dogshit analogy. Trying to shoehorn in something vaguely sexual like that weird old Uncle
The Real Vieira Lynn
July 23, 2024, 4:53 pm
“the main thing is to focus on falling in love with the players we have and make them better” Arteta’s words…that’s the bukkake version of “it’s like a new signing”….he
this little trip down memory lane with our resident dipshit just can’t seem to come to a logical conclusion…as such, you’re making it very difficult for me to accept your apology, should one be forthcoming…on a.more positive note, it appears as if you’ve made a bit of a personal breakthrough with all your “cute” talk…now I’m not into that, but good on you for finally owning your shit…I get the feeling that most of those around you are well-aware that something has been off for some time now, but maybe this little epiphany will allow you to repair some of those relationships…you might even find a “special” friend along the way…have a great day at work
Wicksy,
Weds should be a laugh, a free hit for both teams. I imagine BHA and their pragmatic data driven ethos won’t be placing much store in the Carabao as it there’s greater utility in league places.
I agree Burnley still have to eke out points where they can until there’s a bit more daylight between them and the drop zone. They’re likely to keep it as tight as possible
Sunderland, however, may have bought enough goodwill and breathing space to relax on the underdog football and give it a go against us. I imagine their fans will forgive losing to us more readily than a predicted relegation rival and they didn’t seem particularly inhibited v Chelsea.
Arteta has been very much about control since that our first title tilt under him where we were getting away with just being a good team for a large part or the season but always open to things going wrong.
We’ve heard it so many times over the years for title winners you look to teams that don’t let in goals.
As pretty as football was under Wenger we didn’t half let in daft goals. With the team and set up we now have we can be confident that if we went 4-0 up to Newcs or 4-2 up to spurs, for examples, those games still stick in the throat, we’re not even drawing those games.
Not so long ago, if we didn’t score early the angst would rise. We don’t even need to score early now, we know we’ll get something and, as importantly, the oppo know it too. Pressure brings those errors out. In addition, if you’re on a team and realise your strikers arent getting any change, the lack of hope makes things tense. Watching the Palace forward players begin to lose it and the same frustration creep backwards through the team is all part of the battle.
Just joined the queue for WC tix.
Right shambles, they’re doing a ballot for times slots and six slots will then be the usual FCFS. A mix between the method for Olympics last year and usual WC FCFS.
Don’t really see the point of an extra layer to be honest.
Anyway, for those interested but may have missed the first window, advising this window closes Friday.
No Vera, I was only leading you on. I won’t be apologising for replaying your greatest misses.
They probably weren’t even your greatest. You’re a goldmine of stupidity.
The logical conclusion is you don’t know much about football and you’re the sort of oddball who expects to be taken seriously chatting like a old misfit on a blog.
“If you saw me in real life, you’d run like a cockroach”
Lyrics straight out of a bad 80s cop programme. I bet in your minds eye you thought you were coming across like John Wayne rather than Wayne Sleep.
While you turn your limited skills to writing fanfic about me now, I grant you, you do have a bizarre imagination and grasp of reality, it won’t change the fact that your doziness is on the record Vera.
Vera, why are you writing like one of those fedora people?
“M’lady… should one be forthcoming”
The Real Vieira Lynn
October 27, 2025, 8:48 pm
…as such, you’re making it very difficult for me to accept your apology, should one be forthcoming…on a.more positive note, it appears as if you’ve made a bit of a personal breakthrough with all your “cute” talk…now I’m not into that, but good on you for finally owning your shit…I get the feeling that most of those around you are well-aware that something has been off for some time now, but maybe this little epiphany will allow
Using them ellipsis like my grandma Vera. Add that to writing like a fedora, making idle threats of violence on a blog and demanding apologies “forthwith!”
You absolute clown.
the selective manner in which you cherry-pick “quotes” so that they best fit your desired narrative speaks to why you’re such a thirsty fuck when it comes to our present manager…regardless, I’ve come to the logical conclusion that you’re a jealous little bitch…you have yet to find a place where anyone gives two shits about what you have to say…on all those blogs where the slurpy Artetites reside you’re just another bang average poster who can’t get any traction, so you figured if you could just find a place where contrary opinions were being posted you could finally make a name for yourself…well mission accomplished…you’re now known as the biggest piece of shit trolling cunt who ever graced LIR…your Grandma must be so proud…what a delusional fuck you are, but I’m sure that wouldn’t shock anyone who’s had the misfortune of being in your presence for more than 5 fucking minutes
I think it’s important to note that your actions have become borderline creepy, the kind of creepy that might get you suitably red-flagged by some sort of governmental agency who might have online agents scouring for any potential societal threats…if I were you I would simply make a brief yet sincere apology, then exit stage left…I’m sure everything will blow over once they do a deeper dive into your past and quickly realize that you’re little more than a pathetically lonely nothing burger of a half-man…talk about a silver lining
That rant could have been at least 40% shorter old man.
You’re crying for a brief apology in essay form. Ironic.
Your conclusions are always wrong because you’re lost to the real world.. I don’t need to cherry pick your stupidity and delusions.
Ambarish is a gent. He provides a platform for us to read and comment. We must all be grateful for this and post football and not act like a bunch of cunts hurling dog shit at each other.
on a football note but not Arsenal – congratulations to Jamie Cureton, who at the age of 50 has scored goals in all of the top 10 tiers of football. My wife got to know him when he played for Colchester as she taught his son (then 5) and Jamie would often be the parent delivering and collecting his son from school.
Wicksy
“Under Arteta during his time at the club I feel we have had a problem when conceding the first goal as it means we lose control of the game, I believe Arteta and his coaches have looked closely at how our results are determined by who concedes the first goal as we are not a side that is comfortable chasing the game.”
There’s certainly been plenty of games this season that have seen an first half or so of really laboured (and I’m being polite) football where after getting a first goal (often from a set piece) we really up the output.
This is not something to praise Arteta for he needs to be able to find balance and not be scared. This is the mentality that lead to us losing at Liverpool – if we’d have gotten a draw out of that match we’d be 10 points in front on Liverpool who’d be in the bottom half of the table.
Last word
November is traditionally a tough month for Arsenal. In the Wenger years it was a time when he had a permanent scowl on his face.
This year the fixtures look to be kind for AFC until the 23rd when the Lillywhites visit the Emirates and a few days later one of their ex players, currently in top form and enjoying his time in Germany, also visits.
Home advantage should be a factor but this opposition could be the toughest so far this season.