One of the most important games of Premier League, today, at Stamford Bridge! In about 30min, we are going head to head against Potter-led Chelsea. There are three things that makes this game very interesting.
City won last night, thanks a penalty(?) on De Bruyne. Not that I care what they do, but this means they have overtaken us to the title spot. We need to win this game to get back to the top of the league – where we belong.
Few of us admire Potter and the work he had done with Brighton. He is young, develops talent and has his own way of playing attacking football. This is similar to what Arteta is doing at Arsenal. There is a score to settle here, till they meet again.
Auba. I loved him, I was sorry for him when he was forced out but his leak in Barcelona’s dressing room, spitting not-so-nice words against Mikel, ruined his image for me. I am a fan, I am allowed to criticize my manager, but as a sportsperson, for a club and it’s hierarchy which was paying you 3,50,000 pounds p/w, you are expected to behave.
He starts today!
Team News
Teams are out. We are playing our best XI today. Zinchenko is back at LB, Gabriel and Saliba is our best CB pairing and White starts at RB.
In the midfield, Partey will play the solo anchoring role with Xhaka allows to move forward. Odegaard captains the team, Saka and Martinelli starts on either side of the wings and Jesus lead the line.
No surprizes there, except it’s good to see Zinchenko back in the team.
For Chelsea, Auba starts up top. Fu*k him and the Chels.
What to expect?
Frankly, Chelsea looks vulnerable at the moment. Brighton beat them easily last time they played in Premier League. They have shared points against a poor Man Utd and Brentford. They are playing with a 33-year old striker and a new defense. If we play our game, I don’t see any reasons why we can’t beat them today. We are a better quality team, playing better football and more hungry than any other premier league teams this season.
Jesus has not been on the scoresheet recently, but I’m sure he would be excited for his first London Derby and show his ex-colleague in Sterling that who made a better decision.
We have won our last two games when we visited Stamford Bridge. Lets make it three.
Wrapping Up
What’s your expectation today? I’m going for a 2-1 score, Jesus and Saka scoring today.
From last post Marc.
I was thinking about Auba, as this tie will be spicy for Arteta and Auba. Not sure he’d play his first competitive game against us at the Emirates, but Potter may well think Auba knows us well enough to start him. We’ll know what our lads think of Auba by the first few tackles.
Anyway, looks like Zinchenko at LB otherwise it’s the Arteta faithful 10, so no surprises. This game will be a good indicator of our collective fitness for around 98minutes.
A couple of ‘ifs’ for me.
If we have periods being wasteful with the ball and chasing shadows as we have in previous matches is one and the 2nd is our fitness vs fatigue, which includes Zinchenk’s fitness coming back from injury.
Hoping that none of the above are going to factor into the game; I’ll go for a win by the odd goal because we have a problem scoring.
Tony,
Auba – starting at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea – in less than a year. So much has changed for him but that bi*ching was in a very bad taste. Irrespective of what happened, some of us were sympathizing with him knowing he is done at Arsenal, he lost it with a 30sec clip.
Fu*k him and Fu*k the Chavs.
#COYG
I would assume Zinchenko is in best health and fully fit, otherwise there is Tierney available for selection high in confidence after scoring against Zurich.
Charles Watt shared some concerning videos for Saka earlier. He went back from the training ground, came out against and trained with a coach. I’m worrying more about him, because there is no serious back up.
We need him today. We need Zinchenko in best of his form and we need Jesus to score!
*again
A bit harsh on Auba as he was a good servant for us.
I’m no fan now but I appreciate his goals for us.
Shit
My FireTV is going into a long update. Am twirling thumbs… waiting…. waiting
Changing to a slow broadband for comments.
Decided to f–k the update. Am on
That was top class Shithousery from Jesus. Ge tapped Curcurela with outside of foot and fell in a heap. Prime Barca stuff 😂😂😂
Red anyone?
Martinelli is very natural talented. His cross to Jesus was inch perfect. But Jesus mange 1 inch more.
Auba imistimed the tackle. But from the reaction of players, Arsenal players still respect him.
Party is top class. If he had not pushed Tiago Silva that could have been a goal
Saka got frustrated, fouled on purpose after not getting one in favor.
Talk about double standards.
Hoopah,
And the strangest part is, he is still 21.
Emery coming on his first game for Vila vs ManU. Become more groomed with a good suit and waistcoat. Let us see how the paintwork works.
Actually Unai is not bad in a limited manner and more initiative than Don Generational
Second half guys.
Let go your Thingaling
Azpiculeta got a history of studs up but slightly pointed down avoiding a red card. No wonder Barca want him
Gabriel Magalhães with set piece goal.
Happy days now keep a clean sheets
Jesus collapses will be studied. So, in future he might not get genuine fouls.
Often it is smart to limit these things
That was a Penalty any day of year.
Back to the top. 🍾
Well we didn’t fail the 2 ifs I posted earlier and indeed nicked it by the odd goal.
We were better all over the park but need to get Jesus scoring.
Great Villa goal. Manure chasing shadows
That’s the first win this season that was to me over what was expected. Chelsea were poor but we really should / could gave scored another one or two quite easily. The closet to a heart in mouth moment was White’s clearance that looked from the initial angle like he’d just buried in the back of his own net.
I might have been wrong about Arteta, don’t worry I still think he’s a shit manager but its possible that he’s a highly skilled brain surgeon because he seems to have managed to transplant half a brain into Xhaka.
Quite an achievement.
with Auba up top and the training wheels firmly affixed, watching Chelski is like a trip down memory lane with MA for the better part of his tenure…Potter better display some onions soon or his appointment could be short-lived, especially with the age of his presently desired squad…beating Chelski at home tells me little, as that’s 3 on the trot for us there, but it’s hard to complain with the results, in light of City’s 3 points yesterday….we still need to address our final third inefficiency, as we simply can’t expect to finish in the top 4 if we can’t convert more of our chances….there’s no doubt Xhaka isn’t the bull in the china shop nightmare of previous seasons, but I can’t help but think what we might look like if we had ESR or a whole host of much better European alternatives playing in more advanced positions…after all, half the reason for his supposed improvement is that he has substantially less defensive responsibilities
Artetapologists have a ludicrously short memory when it comes to Auba . They’re blowing so much smoke up Arteta’s uptight hairless culo right now for getting rid of him (making a fucking mega loss of value on the player by the way) while conveniently forgetting that he and Bunga Bunga Edu drew up his massive contract extension 9nly months earlier.
Pleasing result (not seen the match yet) accompanied by Spurs losing. The cockerel jockeys seems to me to be in a slow death spiral. Getting steadily less effective while continuing to believe they’re hot shit.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/richard-keys-arsenal-mikel-arteta-28424277.amp?int_source=taboola&int_medium=display&int_campaign=organic
I never thought I’d agree on anything with a nasty, misogynistic wanker like Richard Keys but hey, there’s a first time for everything right?
Although I think he could’ve kept his powder dry for more serious problems in football, eg that corrupt, sportswashing shitshow due to hit us soon from the hellhole that is Qatar all the way down to the architectural abomination that are Jurgen Klopp’s so-called teeth. And I’m saying that as one of the fans paid by Qatar to say positive things about the World Cup! Yes, some ingerland and Wales fans are under the Qatari regime’s pay for lying about the tournament. Oh, and that thick old whore David Beckham is also in on the act.
Still, good to see Keys is still ‘smashing it’. A twat of the highest order but right about Tets.
Hi Ambarish
Really like the new layout. Old bastards with reading glasses like me can zoom up the comments box if necessary so all fine. And the black background is nice.
For those of you out there that buy shirts, this’ll make you weep. I bought one of the kids the red shirt in a bazaar in Turkey. A good copy but clearly a fake. The geezer wanted the equivalent of 10 quid. I haggled him down to 6. Great fun. The fake ones, especially if they’re done badly, are soooooo much cooler than the real thing imo.
They’re all from man made fibres right? I reckon he still made 4 quid from the deal.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/07/world-cup-bound-referee-shows-10-red-cards-in-fiery-argentine-cup-final
Sorry lads, just one more from me and then I’ll shut up. Dontcha just love South American football? I lived in Argentina for four years and was thoroughly into the footie there which I’d say is the most exciting and passionate in the world by miles. I followed the team in this story, Racing Club de Avellaneda, home and away and got into many scrapes doing so. 7 red cards and a win against nearby Boca Juniors (Los Bosteros or manure shovelers as they’re known) – perfect. All Gooners around the world who love the game should get into Argentine football. There’s nowhere better. Check it on YT if you don’t believe me.
Aguante Racing Carajo!
Xhaka is getting such reviews I would imagine the statue is being commissioned as I write. White is the same being one of Arteta’s pets. White has a peculiar running style like Sterling does. The Thais calling Sterling the ladyboy duck because his arse looks elevated when he runs.
To be fair White and the excellent Saliba (motm for me) have a very good understanding that Gabs is benefitting from. It’s just when White goes on an overlap canter, he’s a bit Bambi on ice to watch yet strangely effective when he gets it right.
Looks like Arteta’s gamble of getting to the WC without loss of limb or complete first 11 exhaustion has paid off where Wolves shouldn’t present a summit toppling result type of problem.
We played well and at times the football was sublime to watch. Jesus is our essential flippers machine type player being bounced around by the CBs like a ball in the machine bouncing off the scoring mushrooms. Would be handy if he could score as well but they will come. Jesus should be nicknamed Rambo because he is fearless and unlike his sick note predecessor now playing in Div 1 Mongolia, he seems indestructible.
Jesus is falling into the Laca role of dropping too deep, that should be Xhaka’s job or as TRVL said ESR who we badly miss.
We controlled the game with good fitness levels until that last 15 but still strong enough to keep a tired and idealess Chelsea.
It is beginning to have a Leicester winning season feel about it, but this one has a WC hurdle to overcome with player fitness and injuries. Boxing Day we’ll have a better view of things.
KP hope you enjoyed Turkey with the clan. When you said where you were going I’d not long read a headline about some 100+ people suing a big resort because of food poisoning at the same town. Then I wondered if Mrs KP had booked it and packed lots of Imodium for you and the kids for a little poetic justice. 🙂
It’s cool to be a happy Gooner for a change.
I read recently Qatar are looking to pay fans to go to the WC all in with spending money to reflect positive Qatar vibes to the other fans. I would think the’d get a lot of conscription age Russians to take them up on their offer.
Lol Tony
There’s a ring (geddit?) of truth to that scenario you so eloquently describe. Last time we went to TR we stayed in a resort near a place called Olu Deniz. Quite a posh place but we and all the other guests got the galloping abdabs really quickly after arriving. Not to want to be too scatogical it was spurting out of both ends! Turns out they’d had a major airborne issue, thought they’d take a chance and not tell anyone. I rather enjoyed the weight loss (!) but was ecstatic when we got a full refund.
I enjoyed your analysis of the game not least because I didn’t see it live. I’m getting no hopes up but I’m enjoying things as they are. I saw the Forest game and the second half was terrific. I hope you enjoyed that piece about Keys and his dislike of Arteta. Hope you’re all well.
HI Kilroy
I see your old mates Barcelona have landed a plum draw in the EL playoffs. They only have to play some mediocre second fiddle wankers from Manchester called United.
Liverpool Football Club have been put up for sale with Fenway Sports Group looking for new owners to purchase the Premier League club and take them forwards.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-liverpool-for-sale-fsg-28428805
—
This is shocking… considering they had rejected an offer in the range of 3 billion pounds last year. Why a sudden sell off? No idea.
Tony joining me on the ‘top of the table’ campaign. If, and that’s a big if, we remain injury free, and do not have a dip in form after world cup, you never know.
Confidence plays a big part in top level sports, which we have un abundance.
I know there is a very small chance but if we win, with Xhaka.. I would put up a SORRY!! on the front page for a day.
Ambarish
I’m only speculating but it’s possible some the American owners jumped in because of the lure of a European Super League (something I believe will happen at some point) and they have info telling them it’s a way off and don’t fancy having to borrow money to finance a club in a world of increasing interest rates.
Even with all the money in the PL how many clubs make a profit or even break even?
Morning all
Marc
It’s being reported that KSE was in it for the Super League. I posted about 5 years ago the same beliefs you have, Marc.
The question of clubs seeing a POR is a good one in the short term where I’d say world economics, pandemic & fragile peace will make it too difficult to make profit. It’s an investing market for players and managers whose increasing values will likely be our profit making area to eventually put the club in profit. However, there is a lot leveraged so it’s going to take time and good results year after year.
Ambarish, I was alone at first in supporting the team not the manager: Pedro had no answer to that and last season I banged the ‘we-have-the-squad-for-top-4-last-season-drum’ and should be challenging for the title next (this) season. Of course I was attacked vociferously by the Arteta apologists who were building up excuses from day one with Pedro-Pete being the trolling leader against his own readers. Perhaps, Pedro-Pete never fully got through puberty with his 13 year old trolling attacks last season as proof. Pedro-Pete’s father said in the DM at over 60 he genuinely feels like he’s in his 20s.
No balance or maturity and multiple monikers used in his onslaughts even against posters who were highly respected and supported LG for over a decade. I’m sure Pedro-Pete will be a nice guy when he grows up.
I’m no football sage but have learnt a lot in my 60 years following The Arsenal. Last season the only people holding us back was indeed Arteta and Edu gambling on no injuries from our perma crocs.
It will be the same this year if mistakes are repeated.
In Other news, Ferdinand who I have no particular respect for is diminishing our win over the Chavs stating that the Chelsea were a patched up team. It’s got to be sour grapes because his face always looks like he’s eating them. Ferdinand is probably too embarrassed to talk about Manure; therefore stupidly is targeting the top of the league five places above United.
Stupid is as stupid does!!!!
Looks like Jesus and Gabs Martinelli are in the Brazil WC squad and Tommi should make it for Japan: let’s hope they get good experience and no injuries from their involvement.
K’Phobe, I finally found the Line Source speakers that are very good, at affordable prices, for most professionals. The links were tucked away in my 2-year deep dive into speakers doing my DD.
https://www.alconsaudio.com/cinema-sound/
https://www.alconsaudio.com/brochure/Alcons-Audio-Cinema_whitepaper_ENG.pdf?x82376
On your travels have at look at both and you’ll see both are excellent, but Wisdom is noble and majestic in its sound signature we buy speakers for.
As an analogy Alconsaudio is an E class, but Wisdom is the Maybach fully loaded or Bently.
Argentina must have been a blast, KP. My one regret was not getting further south than Mexico. At Stiff records, Robbo (owner) wanted to hire a 747 and take all the Stiff acts on a world tour, which Robbo had designated me tour manager and sound engineer. South America had many dates penned and I was an ecstatic 24 yo.
Sadly, the costs didn’t add up and the tour, like many, was binned. I was managing a top ten band and sound engineer in those days and touring in N America & Europe.
Life is good here, thanks KP, hope likewise with the KP family.
three quick things…(1) everytime I watch WIllock I can’t fathom why we let him go for just under 25, then tried to replace him with the very raw and offensively-stunted Lokonga for roughly 7M less….incredibly underwhelming trade-off…(2) when things are ultimately revealed, Super League-wise, I’m convinced that we will find out that Kroenke was at ground zero in the developmental process, due to his intimate links to the original financial backers of this little adventure…(3) as for Pedro/Positive Pete, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s used his lame-ass pseudonym on other Arsenal-based sites in order to drum-up new “readers” under the guise that LG is rife with anti-Arteta commentaries….what a pretentious and conniving twat….Cheers to one and all
TRVL
Good stuff mate. On Lokonga, I’m a little more sanguine. He suffers not only from comparison with Partey but also because he’s unlikely to hold down a regular place. I like the vast majority of his work, he tidies up a lot of loose balls in the middle and his positioning is generally sound. Plus he has an eye for the killer pass. If anything, I think he often makes football seem too easy which sone of his detractors mistake for lack of energy and passion.
However, he’s far from being a key component of the team and could do more to improve his onfield image by showing a bit more of his character. Eddie (who I rate less highly than Lokonga) also suffers by comparison with Jesus. I’d give our Belgian midfielder a bit more slack, although pressure will be on him and Elneny if, as I hope,we add Danilo in January. I’d like to think the success and high profiles of our current Brazilian cohort will really attract players like Danilo.