Mikel wouldn’t be happy going into the biggest game of season – the North London Derby – after losing the first leg of a Carabao Cup final to Newcastle, crashing out of the FA Cup after a loss to Manchester United (of all), and dropping 2 points to Brighton when we needed a win to close the gap to Liverpool. He would also not be happy with the injuries and certain players’ form. But he knows a comfortable win today against Tottenham would make the fans forget the shite football we are playing and give him some relief. I always have a lot to complain, but not today because of the seriousness of the game and the opposition.
It’s the North London Derby Day!
First, when we had a chance to close the points gap twice this season, we failed to capitalise. In the previous match week, Manchester United restricted Liverpool to a 2-2 draw and it gave us a chance to close 2 point gap to the league leader. We gave it away by succumbing to Brighton. This weekday has been good again for us – Brentford’s 2 late goals made sure City shared points and Forest gave their everything to restrict Liverpool to a draw while Chelsea dropped points against Bournemouth at home. It has, again, come down to us to make the most of it. There’s 7 point difference with 20 games played between us and Liverpool, and winning us today will close the gap a bit.
And, what’s better than a London Derby at Emirates. Ange do not believe in a sit back and we love that as a team. Low blocks are a problem but not the one who likes to play ball.
Arsenal v Tottenham
Well, we haven’t lost to the Spuds at home in 14 years. Ange is having a tough time with only one win in his last 8 games. There are sitting on 13th position in the table, one better than Manchester United and that’s exactly where they belong.
In the team news, we have some set backs (probably for the good, let me be blunt). Saka, White, Nwaneri and Tomi are still not available for today while Calafiori will be judged before the game. Gabriel Jesus will be out for a very long time, and that’s a very bad thing for us – not because he is a star performer but we can’t sell him yet again this year.
I’m hoping a back 4 of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and MLS (or, Calafiori in case he makes it). We might see a midfield of Partey, Rice and Odegaard with Martinelli, Havertz and Trossard up top.
Coming to the Jesus injury, we should accept that it’s not going to work anymore. He is either injured (unfortunate this time) or in a bad form. I don’t see him winning us more than couple of games in a calendar year so what’s the point. The problem is we can’t move him now, not in this window, not in the next one.
NLD is the most intense game of the season and we are going to miss out best player in Saka. I seriously hope the young blood understand what it means to the supporters and everyone around the club, and we go on to win by 4 goals minimum. We have been on the down slope of confidence after the FA Cup loss, extra time means we would be leggy but today’s not the day to find an excuse. It’s a war and I don’t care if you die for it.
Wrapping up
I’m sorry for not being available recently. Some family obligations and travel made me miss some of our games and I couldn’t post anything. I have returned to my den now and you would be hearing from me a lot more.
See you during the game, and thank you for all the support.
Cheers.
I was thinking the same thing Madhu but B’mouth play better football than us…..
Will pool drop points?
Are we about to see the lesser spotted Thomas Partey (latin name for the species – teabagicus legal case of habeas corpus) playing at centre half? Gulp!
Our lineup tonight worries me and the bench is shockingly weak.
Painting safely negotiated. No rain and done at a temperature above freezing so almost frost bitten fingers crossed…
Kroenke
The BBC are showing it as Timber as CM and Partey RB but with Arteta who knows!
Marc
I feel the same way. Being without Saliba is akin to the 90s Arsenal without Tony Adams.
And Liverpool score in the 91st minute.
Marc
We already know this but it isn’t our year.
Kroenke
Liverpool could have lost 13 nil today and Arteta would still find a way to fuck things up.
Saliba expressed his admiration for Unai Emery ?
Why is he on the bench ?
AV collecting yellows very early .
Also Ollie Watkins is a powder puff of a player
Hoopah
Saliba is his own man and says what he feels. He also knows that Arteta will hate what he said but cannot afford to permanently bench him. He is carrying a ‘niggle’ that is why he is on the bench today.
Arteta on a yellow
to balance things
We are having dinner at friends later this evening – he is a staunch Man U fan – he cant wait to brag about last weekend. I received a whats app message from him a couple of minutes ago predicting a Villa win – this evening will be unbearable if Villa win.
just in time. Martinelli to the rescue.
Good strike with power from Martinelli. Of course Martinez overconfidence helped
Alpha Tross’s movement before taking that pass was sublime. And Martinez fucks it up… again!
NORG
Just stick a vol-au-vent in his face and tell him to fuck himself…in the friendliest possible way.
A mate of mine used to say about Walcott that if you were 3 nil up and brought him on off the bench he’d score a hattrick if you were nil nil on a rainy Tuesday away at wherever and brought him on he’d be invisible.
That pretty much sums up Havertz – time to drop him and play Martinelli through the middle for the rest of the season.
It really can’t be any worse than watching a giraffe version of Bambi wander round the pitch.
Kroenke
You weren’t in the Foreign Office were you?
This is a much higher quality game than the one against spuds.
Marc – we have been asking for Martinelli to be played through middle from ages. He has hardly played him there I wouldn’t hold my breath. He will play everyone but him. I’m hia first season as an 18 yrs old Gani scored 10 goals. He could score all kinds of goals including headers. He is a shot monster and not fully utilised according to me.
Madhu
Playing Martinelli through the middle would frighten most defences but instead the moron El B persists with his pet giraffe.
Marc
I was. Riding the civil service gravy train…🚂
Emery is a strange manager. Villa has lost few players but they have talented players. The way he sets them up to play conveys fear and a sense of inferiority to the opposition. That’s been his downfall. He done great for them but again he seems too meek to be able to challenge the top 4 more so in away games. That’s been his philosophy which led to his downfall at Arsenal but Villa may be satisfied with his performance so far. He will be there ab there abouts mid table sometimes threatening to break in but will never.
the giraffe scores
Correct decision to disallow the goal – as frustrating as it is.
Kroenke
I thought so – I was just surprised by the old school gun boat diplomacy you were suggesting!
Madhu
It’s why Emery will be classed as a successful manager at Villa Villareal etc but will never make it at a “big” club.
Agreed Marc but today he seems to have scored one over our coach.