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 have zero time for excuses for Arteta – all managers have important players injured or missing on occasions. You get to a Cup Final and your best striker and best defender are missing its a bastard but during the course of the season its one of those things.
The simple truth is what we see from Arteta is same old same old just with a slightly different excuse. He’s spent €800 odd million, inherited some great players and took over a squad that had finished 2 points off 3rd the previous season (something that seem to be erased from history). He destroys the value of players and will crap all over a player on a whim.
Fortunately I now believe we’re in the deathroes of his time – the excuse of “well he’s competing with Pep what do you expect?” is about to be blown out of the water with Slot and Liverpool winning the PL in his first season with pennies spent.
Next season will be his last and I can’t wait to be rid of the cunt. It will be amusing to watch all the fan boys suddenly claim they’d always known he was a fraud and were never behind him or run the Spuddies line of “he took us to a level which means the next manager can compete”.
“By the way how good was Myles against Spurs.”
He’s looking a real player and at the moment looks by some margin to be our best left back – which raises the question why the fuck did we spend £42 million on Calafiori when we don’t have a striker.
Marc – that was rheotirical. He was very good and a breath of fresh air. Only problem is that he will coached out by MA to become a blunt knife or cast off as not good enough. I would be very surprised if he is here for couple of seasons if MA is still here. I don’t Ma believes in Academy or committed to integrate our academy.
Great game between B’mouth and Newcastle now well worth a watch 👀
Madhu
I wasn’t arguing with you I’m in full agreement.
Marc/Madhu
Shelly was ready last season with Ethan.
Can’t wait until we have a winning mentality manager not a must not lose type MA like displays tactically.
Bournemouth are punching well above their weight – their manager is working wonders and they are far more entertaining than the slop that is served up by El B.
Kliuvert hat trick for B’mouth. In that showing I’d buy him
Tony we would probably be the only club to have tried signing father – son and failing ,😁?
Can Arsenal do this to New Castle in the second leg? If they do we deserve to win the cup.
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 ?