Of course I am pretty excited for the North London Derby tomorrow at Shite Hart Lane, hence the title. To make it more interesting, Manchester United has just beaten City 2-1 at Old Trafford. I have never been happy in my life seeing United win except for today. Not letting City have those 3 points means there will a minimum of 5 points difference after tomorrow’s North London Derby. I am pretty confident we gonna improve that point difference to 8 f*king points!
We need to win tomorrow and we will! We are in some great form, Spu*s have been shit and ESR is back. A backline of White, Gabriel, Saliba and Zinchenko.. fully fit midfield of Partey and Xhaka and the front 4 of Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli and Eddie will going to be too much for the Tottenham. Our Captain, Martin, has won the Premier League Player Of The Month and Mikel, the manager of the month for Nov/Dec; Saka and Martinelli has been high on confidence and playing some of the best football of their life; Eddie has been scoring and didn’t let us miss Jesus till now. I’m sure they would be buzzing for a North London Derby and I’m sure they all want to score tomorrow.
On top of that, we will have ESR on bench, who comes as a sub and makes an instant impact. We have a fully fit Tomiyasu and Tierney in case we need them. Midfield has been a concern but I am not in a mood to complain today.
There are couple of things to worry. We haven’t won against Spu*s in our last 8 PL games at Sh*te Hart Lane, having lost 6 and sharing points on other 2 occasions. We need to change that. The other concerning thing is the refereeing and Kane/Son going down like they love the smell of the grass. If you are an Arsenal fan, you know at some point there will a tiny touch from one of our players, a dive from Kane or Son and Referee pointing to the spot. VAR will not find it important to take a look, or even if they do, they will use only couple of angles which lets the penalty stand and they score. Unfortunately, that’s what happens!
Irrespective of it, I am excited for the Derby. A 4.30 PM start for our UK readers (10 PM Indian Standard Time) is a perfect way to end weekend with a win and 8 point lead at the top.
Lets do it, lets thrash them! Lets go for the league.
So we’re going to sign a winger/forward and a left sided CB but no CM.
We’re going to have to face the truth that we’ll not going to sign another CM for some time quite simply because shot for brains would not replace Xhaka with anyone.
just did a deep dive regarding the contractual situation involving Nkunku and it appears as if it’s a forgone conclusion that he’s heading to the Blues this summer…at first I just thought it was the usual speculative nonsense, but according to “credible” footballing sources it’s signed, sealed and delivered…the suggestion is that the final fee is in the neighbourhood of 70M, although it could be a fraction or two higher…what a steal, considering what’s on offer and the going rate for young readymade footballers…the fact that we weren’t in on this highly talented and versatile player is a crying shame…someone from the League offices needs to step up to a podium and explain how this club has spent a half billion dollars in less than a calendar year…of course, nothing is a given, but we better make some transfer hay this off-season because if they and Pool figure their respective shit out, we could be 2 steps forward and 4 back within a year’s time
This is an interesting article by the Swiss Ramble “Will Chelsea’s Transfer Spend Break Financial Fair Play Rules?”
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/will-chelseas-transfer-spend-break
Conclusion:
As it stands, it looks like they will be compliant with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations, though they will have a few more challenges with UEFA’s FFP, due to the smaller losses allowed. However, even here, the new rules that will be implemented from 2023/24 will allow them more scope.
Chelsea can improve matters this season with some player sales in this transfer window, but they could also worsen the FFP situation with further purchases (there is much talk about Caicedo and Noni, for example).
Most importantly, if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, then all bets are off.
MA offered up this little cherry-picked commentary in response to those who criticized the Trossard acquisition, considering his age and questions surrounding his “professionalism”:
‘It is not that we had to sign 20, 21, 22-year-olds for the next five years. That is not the plan. We need to have a balance and at the moment we have a really good balance in the squad, it can absorb a player of that age.’
of course, I agree with the sentiments, in that I believe you can’t be succesful in the PL with a squad made up entirely of players under the age of 24, but it’s a rather ridiculous and disingenuous statement from someone who spent the last 4 months or so trying to woo the vastly younger Mudryk to North London, only to be stymied by our crosstown rivals…deja vu latter days Wengerism
Marc
Trossard’s primary position is LCM although he can play LB and anywhere across the forward line, so we have a much better Xhaka replacement. Junior and I were hoping Edu would seize the initiative with the Trossard deal, so we can bolster out left attack with Martinelli. I also like what I’ve seen of Mitoma so far as a versatile speedster with goals from either foot. Tore TAA a new one in BHA’s recent win over L’pool. De Zerbi has improved Brighton where they play very attractive football sitting 7th in the PL.
A Zinchenko, Trossard and Martinelli left sided attack will become far more fluid without Xhaka. It will make our attack more balanced.
Will Arteta play Trossard instead of Xhaka? That’s where it gets blurred.
Looks like we have a new DM/CB in Jacob, which was your biggest concern if Partey is injured. Ok, so not as experienced as we’d like, but reports say he’s strong in the tackle, 6’2″ and good in the air where he also has a decent range of passing.
Let’s see how he beds into the squad.
TRVL
We are very like minded and unwittingly you are increasing Junior’s English vocabulary with K’phobe as well, as with Junior being in accordance with both your views. His private high school English teacher learns from Junior now and play games for EoY points towards his English grades by using a word where the other has to explain the word’s meaning and uses. A Paediatrician friend suggested we talk only English in the house with my tutorage and Thai outside except in English speaking company. Worked perfectly.
He’s been chosen to be the lead in the School’s ‘Khon dance’ where there are many battles. Junior has a 50kg 160cm female warrior climbing and fighting on Junior’s 6′ 2″ 75kg frame as in the pic:
https://thinkglobalheritage.wordpress.com/2017/11/27/khon-the-traditional-thai-masked-dance-will-it-survive-today/
The school is putting on a big Khon stage show and it’s taking the cast 6 months to learn it. The show will be as you see in the link with full costumes. Junior was brave taking the part on with his ADHD but the dance seems to improve his focus. He’s really invested in the character.
Back to football there is no question Arteta still has faux pas in him particularly his in-game thinking or over thinking. Whether the upcoming errors will blunt our current hold on the title remains to be seen. What is somewhat heartening is that the dream team have learnt from last winters TW clusterfcuk.
We are witnessing blips in Pep’s AI virus ridden football. I believe the virus is named Haarland, which will be a tough one to work out, and one I hope takes the rest of the season to get back to their seamless football incorporating Alfe boy.
Winning the title will give Edu and Arteta money to put together a team to mount a serious challenge one the CL cup next season and for seasons after IF KSE keeps the funding in place.
Guys there’s a good thing brewing here where the next 20 cup finals need winning.
Exciting times ahead.
10 days for another incoming.
Could that be Eduardo Camavinga on loan as we did with Ode? Icing on the cake that one!!!!!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11658225/Who-17-5m-Arsenal-target-Jakub-Kiwior-22-year-old-star-compete-Thomas-Partey.html
For the uninitiated like me. 🙂
Tony, glad to be of assistance, no matter the capacity…as a once member of the academic community it’s always nice to know that my “voice” still resonates with others…best wishes to you and yours
BTW I, like Junior, rather enjoy the way in which KP can turn a phrase…you’re certainly not chop liver when it comes to the “gift of gab” , as I assume you’re well aware…Cheers
Tony
Big ups to junior for embarking on that. It takes some balls to get up among your peers and perform. I empathise because we did a lot of theatrical stuff at our school. Most kids (me included) we very shy but you learn a lot about yourself volunteering for a part, singing sone corny song or learning a role (in my case for an abridged Shakespeare thing). He’ll do well I’m sure.
Generally, everyone on here writes good, honest and readable stuff about Arsenal (and numerous other ad-hoc topics) . I think it’s brilliant too that we’re all different ages and from vastly different parts of the world. Ambarish is a fine writer and the guys in India provide the raw emotion and excitement from following the team. Not to mention Ireland’s 21st century answer to Wilde, GBS and Joyce whose mere name conjures up images of when our goalkeepers were the laughing stock of world football…
Cardiff in a spot of relegation bother these days (its the hope that kills you). Playing those scummy cockney bastards Millwall today. Prayer mats out again lads.
Marc – hope you’ve got the chance to be there for this one tomorrow.
You’ve possibly got an image of me poncing around like Larry Olivier or John Gielgud but it was mainly an attempt by decent teachers in a shitty comprehensive in a one horse town to get kids to come out of their shells.
TRVL
On that Nkunku thing, I’m pretty sure Unai was busting the board, Sven and Raoul’s collective balls to sign him over 3 years ago. Makes you wonder where we’d be as a club had the Emery been lavished with the same patience and moolah as the Basque Bantamweight. Just conjecture.
Sorry – this all got jumbled up and I’m not going to risk losing it by cutting and pasting. I spilt my tea and got toast crumbs in the bed. By the time I’d sorted that the cursor must have moved. Nurse! More medication please!
TRVL I thought you were part of the academic world by the way your mind works with your words. That or from a senior government office or from the editing dept of a publisher. I leaned towards the former because your choice of recreation. It’s not important, but nice to have an idea of who you’re talking to.
I agree with K’phobe LIR is excellent for it’s variety of supporting topics to The Arsenal, which is very much appreciated, Ambarish.
Well I kissed the Blaney Stone on a school trip to Ireland late 60s, at the castle where I was lucky they didn’t let go of my legs, I’m sure Almunia will be pleased to know. I also spent many years in London’s east end, so I’d say ‘gift of the gab’ is an excellent choice of description for me.
Like Pedro, I often wrote copy for a marketing campaign I’d put together, as well as brand placement, advertising ++. I enjoyed my consultancy work for its variety of products and services I got to work with. I still write occasionally when an old client wants some out of the box ideas.
We still have our company here we built form a shop to £20m TO with over 100 employees in 24 years.
K’Phobe – “Prayer Mats out lads” made me choke on my vape. Funny as, my friend. 🙂 I don’t like Millwall either.
Can’t wait for Manure to lose their shit at the Emirates MacTom, Fernandez et al. I still have a red card feeling for a red.
Tony
I’m keeping my powder dry on predicting the score til tomorrow. I’m pretty certain however that it’ll be a tougher test than last weekend’s stroll.
Fresneda? Right back. The guy looks really fucking strong and composed for a 21 year old. Not sure why we need a RB though. He looks as hard as nails and skillful if the wholly believable YT clips are anything to go by.
Agreed K’phobe tomorrow’s game will be a very hard fought home win and a god test for our title winning credentials.
Chavs and Pool is a very uneventful first half where both sets of strikers seem to be scared of shooting. Gakpo imitating Partey’s worst efforts. Hope the 2nd half livens up.
Chinese New Year so fireworks a plenty, which is not going down well with Pumpkin. He should be ok for the pre game rub, though.
Regarding Fresneda I just wish Arteta and Edu would put the same effort in buying MFs as he does with our back line.
To all those ” Grapes are Sour in the Grove” , Mudryk finally got the ball in Chelsea vs Liverpool. Absolutely tight close control. In spite of interferencee by Gallagher almost got the goal at the first involvement.
Would have been deadly with Tuchel or Zorbi. Surprising not being involved much not even to receive a throw. Potter, guess is not meant for bigger clubs
Ha ha
Desperate times for Potter. Auba to the rescue. Wonder how he will gel with Mudryk.
Hi Hoopah
What do you think about Trossard? Do you think he might get a run out tomorrow?
Tony. I know. Almost everyone who cares about Arsenal knows we need cover for TP. There’s such a chasm in quality between him and Elneny. I wonder if he’s seriously thinking Xhaka could do a job in there with Trossard covering the GX vacancy.
Hoopah, it was good to see what all the fuss was about. I’m sure Mudryk will bet good for the Chavs. However, I think Trossard isn’t far behind Mudryk at the moment because Mudryk is still raw. Trossard is PL hardened and will hit the ground running wherever Arteta plays him.
For our present needs we need experience to blend with the youth. Give Mudryk a season or 2 in the PL and then he’ll be a top player. Maunure’s kids really started to come on after Cantona joined from Leeds.
Jacob can do half Partey’s job at 6, but Partey plays 6/8 and a little at 10 at times. Not many can cover so much ground with his quality.
K’phobe I don’t get LG & Pedro’s Xhaka love fest in the least. He’s playing further forward to stop losing us games; worst thing Xhaka can do up top is get a red card. He brings chaos to our defense as has been witnessed in recent seasons.
Arteta believes Xhaka is our Cantona and galvanizes the team. The glue that gels the players together or more like the only glue Xhaka has is on the soles of his boots.
Loan and buy Camavinga ala Ode style works for me more than buying Rice. Now we have Jacob Rice isn’t such an essential player for us in this window.
Hoopah I think your judgement of Potter is a little flawed. Potter did an excellent job with BHA on a very limited budget and was always a thorn in our side when we played them. Roberto Dezerbi has Brighton playing excellent football.
Look how long it took Arteta to get us to playing title winning football: 3 years.
At least give Potter a season to oversee the building of the Chavs that Toucel couldn’t do with all his experience.
If it’s all going Pete Tong next season, then by all means troll the life out of him. Potter and Eddie Gray at Newcastle are very good young managers who with Arteta are cutting their managerial teeth at the very top clubs.
Give Potter a ;little of this, Hoopah. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErvgV4P6Fzc
Tony
Pedro and LG have morphed into one of the club’s shitty clichéd official communications outputs. It’s all about spewing out the official line and sucking up to authority, in a pseudo-edgier format with sone middle aged men swearing gratuitously and trying to out do each other as hard men. It’s as fucked as the club’s official match day programme (said a middle aged man swearing gratuitously…). Most of the good eggs have migrated to sunnier climes leaving a few addled omelette fanboys and barely disguised Pedro alter egos. His main mouthpiece, the awful Negative Nigel Tufnell was laughably asking Pedro to so something or other. It made me think to myself, why don’t you what normal people do and just think it to yourself from one side if your brain to another?
Great goal by Mitoma after some earlier tight defensive work.
Kid’s another 25 yo we should be looking at.
Tony
“Arteta believes Xhaka is our Cantona and galvanizes the team. The glue that gels the players together or more like the only glue Xhaka has is on the soles of his boots. ”
😂😛
KP—agree with your LG take…who needs algorithms when have the ability vacuum seal your very own echo chamber…it’s glaringly clear by now that this little wannabe f**k is on the Take
Tony–I was fortunate enough to play a variety of sports, at an exceedingly high level, without sacrificing my academic pursuits, which is why I believe, rightly or wrongly, that I have a rather unique perspective when it comes to all aspects of sporting life…thanks for the kind words, much appreciated
ability TO vacuum…
one pundits verdict after watching Mudryk’s first appearance for the Blues,” I think Arsenal should have found a way to pay the money for Mudryk. Jheeze he looks like a player!” of course, it’s early days, so take that for what it’s worth…I just remember seeing him play in several Champions League matches and being quite impressed with his flashes of brilliance
on another note, I’ve never been a big proponent of the whole loan gig, as I would rather that those with a more definitive future at the club were given opportunities…now this season might be a little different, in that we’re actually fighting for something of consequence, so if we don’t believe that we can acquire the right piece in the winter window, it might make infinitely more sense to pursue a loan option, instead of wasting considerable funds on a stop-gap
correction to an earlier post—I should have just said highly competitive level, as “exceedingly high” made me sound like a bit of a douchebag…my apologies…Cheers
Talks are heating up between our club and the18 year old RB, Fresneda, from Real Valladolid…looks to be a real high-ceiling prospect, but I would prefer to see Arteta and Edu sign players who will help Arsenal now, rather than in the future
Commiserations K’phobe for Cardiff.
TRVL
You have my full respect to have been able to fulfill your sporting achievements and success in academia. It didn’t make you sound like anything bad at all, as we all talk about our lives here in an honest and open way. No more than if we were in a pub or after a game with mates or fellow unknown Gooners. It’s not bragging it’s communicating and should be said to help us know more about you/us as a person/people.
Being nameless doesn’t mean we have to be faceless enigmas because our experiences in life can help or be interesting for others. I like hearing stories from the guys here when football is in a lull period. Keeps the blog ticking over in a good way. Success stories however small or big all equal effort and grim determination to me because I know how hard this world can be as well.
The experience we have collectively amassed in life here is a fountain of knowledge, which, for me, should shared to those who would appreciate the value such learning can bring. I see how Junior is better for reading LIR and pre Arteta LG: it’s been a very useful tool for Junior’s English and from a behavioral POV. LG certainly brought out the worst in me in the end. It taught junior the cruel trolling side the Internet offers ands much more.
The great thing here is we’re not here to impress; we know each other well enough to be happy for our Gooner brothers’ good things/fortune & triumphs in life, as it can be inspiring for some who feel low or are depressed when said in the right way. To me what you said was inspiring and to Junior, too, who now wants to play in the NBL. Got to love his ambition.
Wild World sums life up from the Great Cat Stevens before he went all religeosly pear shaped after his Tea For The Tillerman; the first album I bought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jta56wBl7SM
For further listening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGqNG5Q52Mw
I just wanted to get that out there, TRVL life’s stories keep us happy here, so don’t be bashful and know we appreciate your time here.
OK game day. Sent Pumpkin to the cat spa ready for his pre game scratch and will come back later with my views that include Trossard.
Junior and I closely watched Mitoma yesterday who played well both defending and scoring and attack linking. Very impressed with Mitoma last night.
NBA*
Tony,
I really enjoyed reading your message to truly this morning,I thought you really captured the struggles some of us have in dealing with online communications. We’re not stupid,we know the power of anonymity but also the dangers of putting too much personal info in such a public domain. So we’re trying to find a balance. However having formed a multitude of relationships in the pre Internet age we are not content to imitate an Internet bot. And so we attempt to share information, advice,experiences and opinions while being very aware that we are being watched/ listened to/ read. It’s strange but I’m with you and the other lads on here. If we can’t maintain a personal side to our exchanges then the exchanges aren’t worth maintaining. That is what I was trying to say to you when I used to talk to you about how I enjoyed reading your thoughts every morning. You were one of a small minority that made my foray into blogs enjoyable by being so personable. So thank you and all the rest of the lads on here for making this such a relaxing and pleasurable experience. I was not surprised at all to learn that you kissed the blarney stone,a feat I have not yet managed myself.
Kroenkephobe,Cardiff not bringing you too much joy I see. Hopefully Arsenal can take your mind off it. What’s your prediction today? I can’t see us not winning,utd haven’t been very impressive even on their good run. Remember Eamon Dunphy? He had his own radio show and used to predict a football treble every weekend. He became so pop6that the bookies had his predictions written up inside their offices for punters to see. You are heading in that direction my friend,although he used to predict results whereas you’ve been predicting scorelines,far more difficult. I see Mark Allen is in the grand prix final today,he decided to start playing again the week after I tipped him! Trump is his opponent. Will watch that with interest. Hope you’re keeping well and your hearing isn’t affecting your brilliant take on life too much.
Kilroy,
I took your advice and scribbled something together. You were right. Far too much there not to have a little dig at it!
Hope to see you guys for the match later if possible. I’m not nervous today at all. Maybe that’s why I should be worried??
# message to trvl
Thanks, Almunia means a lot to me to be able to make others happy. See you at the match. 🙂
I am running sick from a week. I turned 30 4 months back, so yeah.
Sorry for not coming up with an article for today’s game. I will still be watching though, hopefully we thrash them and take revenge of our only loss of this season.
Hope you feel better after we beat Manure, Ambarish.
Mind yourself Ambarish, your health is your wealth and all that. Everyone seems to be either sick or in recovery as far as I can see. Not drinking enough alcohol I’d say!
Prior to the team announcements I was erring towards a 2-1 win, but seeing their team I think we’ll be at them 2-0.
Ambarish
Get some rest mate after the game. Sleep, eating properly and getting your priorities right are all important whatever your age. Take a week long break in Hoopah’s neighbourhood. Warm beaches, friendly people and good food.
And don’t feel obliged to keep coming up with content if you don’t feel like it – we all enjoy reading them but we’re equally happy freestyling talking about narcotics, snooker, kids, pet cats, even Arsenal issues!
Tony
I trust the cat is sitting between you and junior with a couple of sardines and a saucer of milk.
Hi Almunia
Cardiff are really making us all a little uneasy at chateau Kroenkephobe. Terrible leadership at the top, poor and ill chosen managers (too many tracksuits, not enough motivators), and players who cannot do the basic stuff. It’s blind optimism that’s making me think they’ll stay up. I read ‘Its only a game’ by ED when he was at Millwall in the late 70s I think. Really bright guy and never short of a forthright opinion. I remember you shared some clips of him getting in Johnny Giles’s grille and vice versa and the poor MC who got it from both of them. Proper passive aggression from lads who ought to know better. 10 times the pundit that Gary Lineker is.
Good to see that Allen v Trump match up. I guess the manure fan from Bristol is the favourite but I’ll check the scores. It’s hard to keep up with all the superlatives in Snooker. First the masters now the world grand prix. Because of the way these tournaments are structured I tend to watch the earlier rounds in the week and then it often loses out to football when the business end comes round at the weekend.
I agree with everything that’s been said about LiR. The friendliness, openness and variety make it a great forum.
Keano’s looking a bit Mexican these days.
K’phobe goat’s milk no less, but outside the room as it gets noisy with Junior and me. Poor little Pumpkin would have kittens when we score if he was a she that is.
Junior says 2:1 and I’m backing Casimero’s absence to hurt them enough for me to throw my 3:1 into the home ring. Wind Mactominey up for a red and keep goofy Fernandez niggled, as his game goes to shit when he’s rattled.
All in all should be a great game. Hope you’re at the game Marc: the atmosphere must be electric.
Almunia I hope our first goal settles the nerves, and the Guiness has been flowing faster than the river Liffey.
Here’s to giving Manure a good lesson in football.
Hope Trossard gets a 30-minute run out as I think he’d do well.