At this stage, I’m only interested in those 3 points we grabbed yesterday against Leeds United. What a game it was for Eddie, and us Arsenal fans. After we missed out Champions League spot because of a missed penalty under Emery, I don’t want to be too optimistic for my own sake. However, what a wonderful Thursday it would be, if we manage to beat Spu*s at Shi*e Hart Lane which will confirm our qualification and the team who would miss out will be none other than Spu*s.
It would be fantastic!
Back to the game, we all knew it was going to be a Nketiah’s special. He was on loan to Leeds in 2019-20 season where he scored in his first appearance in a EFL Cup, and went ahead to score in his Championship debut too. He had some other good games before we recalled him but he earned his first league medal as a Leeds player after Leeds were the Championship winners that season.
Yesterday, in only the 5th minute, Leeds Goalkeeper made a mistake and Nketiah was quick enough to nick the ball off from him into the net. It wasn’t long before he scored another one in 10th minute when Martinelli’s passed a ball to him from the left side. Soon after, Ayling was sent off for a straight red against a challenge on Martinelli reviewed by VAR and on field referee. I thought that should be enough and we will try to close that goal difference but the usual happened. We stopped controlling the game in the second half. Llorente after the hour mark scored from the first Leeds’ corner of the match. Interestingly this was the first goal we conceded from set pieces, kudos! to the coach. We were shaky for rest of the match but we managed to close the game on a winning score.
Tomiyasu played as a LB and what a player we have in him. He is versatile, no nonsense player with a very high level of accuracy. If he stays fit, it will solve our LB back up conundrum because of the frequent Tierney’s injuries.
Elneny had an impressive game again. He was massive and is probably the second best midfield options we have. I’m not so sure if we are going to renew him but keeping a utility player like him who can give a good game whenever called upon will be a necessity next season. I’m inclined towards strengthening midfield and spending some bucks.
I’m excited for the Tottenham game. They are at a stage where only a win will help them, and we are usually good against teams which brings their game to us. We are leading them with 4 points having played equal games.
If we win the NLD, we cement our place in CL. There are other permutations but I don’t want to go into them. I will very much like us to finish the job on Thursday.
Right, I will keep this a short one; been busy a bit this week but hopefully find some time to not miss the London Derby.
Don’t forget to refill your refrigerator, make sure your kids are asleep before 7 and beg your spouse to leave you alone for 90 min on Thursday!
Ambarish
Hiya mate. Good to get some positive vibes from you there. For old time’s sake, beating the cockerel jockeys (and therefore doubling them) would make it like an old skool season, albeit without Euro football. There’d also be the added joy of finishing above them for the first time in ages.
I’m sorry to say however that I’m still struggling to process last week’s bad news which will harm the club. At best, I think we’ll stagnate. The Edu-Arteta axis is never going to win us any major prizes in my view. They’re a pair of clowns who will continue to blunder through football management until merkin man and his idiot son finally realise they’ve been had. The extension just prolongs the fan division and disquiet.
Marc is correct. Arteta has been very lucky this season to benefit from poor campaigns by the major competitors including Chelsea and the failure of West Ham, Wolves and the likes of Leicester and Villa to sustain their performances. 11 defeats tells its own story, although it bears mentioning that we’ve only drawn three. Finish top 4 and the Arteta fans will be proclaiming it’s a miracle – it’s nothing of the sort.
The spuds will give it everything on Thursday. The little guy on the touchline needs to have them ready for that.
Only my view but Marc is also correct in putting that amoeba in his place. Rambedro has done nothing but resort to trolling and 4 year old level name calling whenever he comes on here. The rest of us seem to get along pretty easily.
Hi Kroenkephobe
Indeed, we have been lucky this season. We, as fans, have seen some of the worst decision by club in recent times and we also have seen some of the worst non-exciting football under Arteta.
However, if we make it to top 4, it would be a wonderful thing. Some may say it will bring more money, attract better players etc but the excitement of seeing us play in CL among the best of the world is an enough reason for me. You can call it desperation but it’s been years.
—
I’m not a fun police, banter should go on as long as it don’t make someone feel bad after coming at LiR and reading 2 comments.
A win on Thursday and I may think of not using #ArtetaOut for few days 😅
Mb,
Nice article. Like the way you’re focusing on the positive. Like Kroenkephobe I’m really struggling with that myself but that’s not to say I don’t appreciate someone who looks on the bright side. It’s refreshing that you can do that simply out of your love for Arsenal and not because you are driving a narrative. So thank you for that. There’s no doubt that Wednesday nights will be a lot more interesting next season providing we see this through. What isn’t apparent is whether we will be genuine contenders. We didn’t get rid of Wenger just to make up the numbers again. But that’s an argument for next season and I’m hoping that this summer will see serious strengthening of the squad.
Kroenkephobe,
The quad looks like it’s dead in the water,thank God. Fa and CL finals are going to be like national holidays over here as it is,you won’t be able to get into a pub. If the quad had been at stake,we could have had a shutdown. How are things your end? Haaland to city seems to be sparking Jesus to Arsenal rumours. How about a reworking of Jesus Christ Superstar?
Kroenke
It’s Ambarish’s site and I’m happy to follow his rules whilst he keeps this place an open discussion but I do appreciate the support.
What makes the fan boys so daft is they can’t remember their own bullshit – last season missing out on European football was really a blessing because without distractions we’d have a clear run at top four and a whole week to prepare for each match – now top 4 was never a target.
Their behaviour is nothing less than that of cult members.
Marc,
You don’t need me to tell you that there are some people out there that have no interest in debate,logic,friendly conversation or even a bit of craic. They exist solely to provoke,to make others feel the anger and hate that they seem to dwell in constantly. Responding only gives them the satisfaction that they have annoyed you.As for putting them straight, you can’t, they are blind to the concept of diverse opinions, it’s beyond their ken. Hence,I just ignore(though I broke that rule twice recently), it really is beyond pointless.
What is fascinating is that they all seem to be on the one side of the argument, I think that must be because of the cult dimension that you referred to. People who worship blindly aren’t interested in debate. There’s no doubt that some of the reasonable Arteta supporters (and there are quite a few of those)are becoming a little embarrassed to find themselves on the same side as the fanatics who exist simply to insult. It’s a pity because I think many Arsenal fans who doubted Arteta would like to now give him the benefit of the doubt and get behind him and the team but are being harassed by these superfans for not showing blind faith. For the record Arteta has never justified getting the job in my opinion and I am quite happy to remain in opposition…..
Guys just to repeat it just in case Rambinho is trying to wind us up. DO NOT dignify his rubbish comments with an answer, he is entitled to his opinion, but it is our choice to engage or not. When you are really struggling with not post one of his truly abysmal posts remember this:
“You can’t clap with one hand”
For me before putting fingers to keyboard, I consider the source first.
I do enjoy the reasonable takes that the many of you here have on our future and totally agree that if 4th this year is ours it was because no one else wanted it or was capable of putting a run together. Just look at the Chavs and how they have faltered, with their squad and manager they should not be 1 point above us.
By the way I don’t buy that the sanctions effected the players, what do they care about whether RA has to sell the club or not. They just want to play and make a living and they know that the Chelsea brand is atractive to some billionaires.
struggling with not post / struggling with not replying to
Rambinho
You can keep the hate for other sites mate.
You think Arteta is a fine choice and will do Arsenal good, send me an article and I won’t mind publishing it.
I’ve said it earlier, think of LiR as Ian Wrighty in nature, not AFTV.
Killroy
The one thing that goes against Chelsea is RA’s love of football. When your owner is heavily invested in winning and rich, it helps. Next owner might be rich (just like Kroenke) but can simply lack that DNA to want to be at the top.
And thanks to Kroenkephobe for coming up with ‘LiR’, sounds pretty cool.
The BBC Documentary about the rise and the fall of the ESL has opened my eyes to the business end of football. It used to be wealthy families or individuals that loved the game and it was them who put up the money for forming a club and competing in a league. But that is gone.
State sponsored clubs is the daily order now because mega prestige comes with owning a club. PSG didn’t blink for a second rejecting 200 mill for MBappe on his last year of his contract.
Deep down I am hoping for someone with a deep love for the game to make Stan an offer he can’t refuse but I will not hold my breath. In the meantime I drink to mediocrity at AFC.
There was another comment somewhere on twitter that ‘Arsenal have won 10 premier league games in 2022, only behind Liverpool’
I mean if we reduce it to last 3 games, we will be ahead of liverpool too since they shared points with spu*s? LMFAO
Taking a section of season’s data to prove a point can work both ways
Mb,
The use of statistics in any walk of life has always frustrated me. They can be twisted to suit any narrative. Did you see the film “Don’t look up”?. Brilliant take here on the statistical chance of the comet impacting on Earth.
https://youtu.be/Op_v2PHDn-0
That would be an interesting watch, thank you for that.
Hi
If I may on stats. Taking any league related data is only useful if it starts when the games do, ie in mid August. And any season-on-season comparisons can only be that, ie the full 38 games. Only using this yardstick do we get a proper sample that involves matches against all the opposition.
Anyone remember Wengo crapping on about a calendar year table? He was desperate by that stage and completely out of touch. I think that’s what empowered the Artetapologists to try it last season.
I was about to start this message with a Hi Lads’ but then it dawned on me that there is probably some female readership. It’d be great to hear what women and girls think about the WSL and PL. When that photo emerged of Tets and Eidevall last week simultaneously signing their new deals, it gave me a few ideas for a caption competition. Eidevall seems to be taking the women’s team in the right direction. As for the men’s team…
“Taking any league related data is only useful if it starts when the games do, ie in mid August. And any season-on-season comparisons can only be that, ie the full 38 games.”
Yes, for example if it was a season with Covid, it affects every team and any unfair advantage to any team averages out over 38 games.
Same for international break and injuries there within. Luck can be a factor sometime but then at the top level you should always orepare for the worst.
I’m not sure whose idea it was – probably given a go because Willian project didn’t work – but building a young team is one good thing club is doinh. No doubt finding right talent before they break out on international stage is a difficult task but our hale end products have been world class recently. Real challenge would be to keep them after they have mature.
*injuries from there
Ambarish
There’s a counter argument about the young team (we all like a home grown youngster) Arteta wants to build and that’s that older more experienced players would A) see through his bullshit and B) would not put up with it.
That’s certainly one of the reasons. David Luiz wanted to go, Willian was bitching in Brazil and Auba said something in his press conference about Mikel, once they all left.
I’m happy though seeing Ode/ESR trying their best than Willian in their place.
If we qualify for top 4, I believe the next season for Arteta will be a make or break. I seriously hope he proves us wrong for the sake of club and our happiness.
I rarely watch PL games that don’t involve Arsenal, but watching this Villa – Liverpool game, it’s striking just how much help Liverpool get from refs. Tonight’s 12th man – Jon Moss – is so clearly trying to help them win.
Kroenke
I’m sure it’s the refs thinking it’s only a soft form of corruption (as if there’s such a thing). ManU and Liverpool are the two biggest teams in the PL and having one of them compete is good for the PL so therefore one of them needs to compete.
Liverpool are just getting the same treatment as ManU used to – wait till a couple of years after Fergie dies then the stories will come out.
Ambarish
We’ve got a few very good young players – imagine where they’d be under a coach like earlier Wenger! The problem is how long before they realise what’s going on and look to move on?
Klopp loves Martinelli, City will look to replace Sterling soon – Saka would be a great fit. We’ve already seen Arteta start to throw Saliba under a bus.
We’ve got the foundations for a great team – We’ve also got the lovechild of Pulis and Allardyce in charge.
Marc
We’ve also got the lovechild of Pulis and Allardyce in charge.
That’s a powerful image (and a little unkind to TP and SA). A more international version of Tets as a managerial lovechild might be Craig Levein (who as Scotland manager once sent out a team formation that a journalist described as 6-4-0) crossed with Christian Gross.
Kroenkephobe,
Bit harsh on Levein there,he was a forerunner for Pep’s Barca and City teams and Spain’s WC winners who filled the team with midfield technicians in place of a recognised striker. Poor old Craig,like most geniuses he’s destined not to be recognised in his own lifetime!
Carragher doesn’t half talk shite. Ings had the first touch of an octogenarian after climbing the stairs and Carragher was gushing about Allison.
Nice one Almunia
I’m duty bound to give CL a hard time cos he is a massive Hearts of Midlothian legend (I favour Hibs in Scotland). Just researched that story where he set Scotland up for what he hoped would be a draw. They lost 1 nil to the Czech Republic.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/10/scotland-craig-levein-euro-2012
It was a 4-2-4-0 formation according to the Guardian which is pretty original at least.
I’m sticking by the 6-4-0.
Marc and I have had a go at describing Tets’s likely football ancestry. I’m sure you’ve got two up your sleeve…
Terrible fucking refereeing from minute 1.
Almunia – what do your brothers say about referee bias towards Liverpool? Do they even acknowledge it exists?
It’s quite incredible really. They totally acknowledge that Fergie’s utd were favoured time and time again,we all know the list of horrors during that era. But they can’t see it now at all. Football supporters, what can you say…..
I remember that Levein game,I had never seen such a reaction to a formation before. Given the strength ot the two teams the result was far from shocking,but the formation was seen as a pre match surrender. We had the same shit with Trappatoni towards the end. He put out teams to keep the score down,they always got thumped!!
Just sent the brothers a text saying I was surprised Klopp didn’t rest Jon Moss for the final!
For those of you wondering about Arteta’s parentage,I think I’ve solved it. It also explains the lego hair.
https://youtu.be/wV6m9NlsOJ4
Captain Black right? Or maybe captain Green? UK users forbidden from opening the clip! Crossed with a mysteron. I used to love that show. Properly sinister considering it was a load of plastic puppetry. My brother had an SPV blue tank thingy.
And the text about Moss. Spot on. Bet they think you’re just bitter.
Captain Scarlet. Brings back memories!
My brothers and I rarely talk about football now,it gets too heated….. god be with the days we all just agreed to hate utd.
Hate? Please don’t make me laugh Ambarish.
Just a mere observation that you’re housing the 3 stooges from another blog that are polluting this one. You should just do them all a favour and share their emails so they can wallow in misery together.
It’s like a sad romcom talking about their exes and having to settle with eachother. Woe is me.
3 salty cunts gutted the arsenal are winning.
Not really mate. It’s a new site but I have my fair share of readers. I don’t agree with most things people say here and even in real life, but free speech is free, even if it’s against my liking or yours.
I’m a FOSS enthusiast, run a different platform from 10+ years and I have been championing freedom in IT world. When it comes to real world (sports discussion on London is Red), I can’t shy away just because I don’t like it.
So yeah, some of my readers can hate Arteta. I’m sure I will see some readers in favor of him like you.
I’m sure you will agree against the name callings.
Rampedro
As you’re so full of the joys, perhaps you could tell us why you think it was right to extend Tets’s contract at this particular time.
Come on now tough guy. Don’t go disappearing like the time you did between losing to Palace and beating Chelsea. Put us straight on the basque bantamweight and why hes
… the next George Graham.
# tumbleweeds blow down the highways and byways as Kroenkephobe awaits an answer#
Sorry mate,but if you expect to be engaged on an intellectual level by a poster who takes offence at being accused of being hateful while proceeding to call other posters cunts, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
It’s always the one side who resorts to abuse, really odd stuff.
Anyway, you getting the nerves yet? Really wish it was on Friday night so I could go to the pub and watch it,will have to spend the night biting my tongue as my better half warns me about my language in front of the kids. Will wait til closer to the game for my prediction. Will be interesting to see what type of atmosphere is generated. We don’t do well in front of vocal,hostile crowds….
Almunia
Rampedro… What a bottler eh? Not sure there’s enough grey matter to launch any kind of defence of his cult leader. Tumbleweed indeed…it always works asking idiots like that to explain their thinking. Fundamentally, there’s none. I quite like being classed as a ‘salty cunt’. I’m taking it as a condiment… 😀
The game IS on my mind. I don’t think we have the team mentality to play for a draw so it’ll have to be a gutsy, fully committed win. We’ve only had 3 tied games all season. Spuds fans will be looking to make it as intimidating as they can, although I’m not sure their players are capable of backing it up. I’m also going to reserve judgment a little longer. Look at us Almunia – we’ve morphed into a couple of upright fence-sitting bastards!
Might try to get in front of the Leeds /Chelsea game tonight. Squeaky arses on both sides of the tunnel for that game too.
PS
I’m surprised your efforts to get Tony over here didn’t work. He’s almost a lone voice over there these days having to defend his (and my) prediction that we’d finish 4th to Arteta boys who think he’s being too bold/miserable/anti Arteta. Delete as appropriate or do what ballbags like Rampedro do and accuse him of all of them.
KP
Tony posts intermittently but he and a few others are the lone voices, like Tom, The Real Vieira Lynn, TR7 and andy1886.
For me the season has taken an unusual twist. I remember when the goal for Pedro was 5th or 6th and 4th was a stretch too far. This was a setup to explain missing out of CL. However something worst may happen, if we loose the NLD and can’t get the required 6 points from the remaining 2 games, then the Sp*ds will be gloating as they will claim they denied us 4th. That is worst than just reaching 5th or 6th. So here is to hoping for a draw or a win tomorrow.