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.
K’Phobe*
Sadly, PL clubs are Billionaires playthings these days where any thought of financial prudence is a thing of the past. It’s all about dick swinging in today’s PL football, which seems too much for the Glaziers and Fenway who will make way for more multi billionaires to put their dicks in the PL ring.
Good stuff there Tony. It’s right to continue yo root out weaknesses even though we’re top. That old drunken bastard Ferguson never took his foot off of football’s throat during manure’s heyday did he?
Almunia – that meters final was probably just what snooker needed right now. I saw little if it but I reckon it was tight and edgy right to the final frame. I agree with what you said about Trump – he seems to have turned into an adult and a professional at the right time. His and Williams’s comments about each other after the game represented sporting play at its finest (unlike what that oik Bingham said after bearing Murphy). A thoroughly wholesome outcome.
That Grimsdale kicking thing was laughable. I think attention should be more focused on Richarlison who’s a real enigma. Manure next!
Only way I know how to be K’phobe.
Complacency kills by stifling the life out of everything in the end. Look at Liverpool. Even Pep is realising he needs new toys to keep his edge. Players get complacent and they grow comfy at their clubs, it’s why managers should merit advancement or move after 3 years in any business.
KSE and the suits were complacent in keeping the stats quo in the Wenger CL days. So the question is will they go back to Wenger days; happy with CL money and self sustainability or will they back the incumbent manager financially to keep replenishing the new toys room in order to keep mounting serious challenges?
Football is fast becoming a sport of kings as technology advances and now countries buy clubs who will start outbidding the billionaires.
Where does it end?
status*
For me our recruitment has to be more astute, if there is trouble brewing with target one, start on target two etc. Last Jan TW we should have gotten Bruno G instead of Newcastle, that is on the not so dynamic duo but you can only deal with what is in front of you unless you are a once in a lifetime generational sporting director and manager with connections.
To the credit of the three stooges, Ode is developing into a first class player and I had my doubts, but seeing this season his ball control in tight spaces is a sight to behold. Protection for him is vital.
Whether Mudflaps would develop into a player like Ode is a BIG if. Besides talent it requires a manager with vision and intuition, it requires support players that are elite level, it requires a team spirit that oozes confidence and self believe, it requires a club that will play elite European football next season. We have some of that Chelsea a.t.m. doesn’t and they may very well ruin Micky Mudflaps. Todd Chump Boehly needed to throw some raw meat to the angry supporters, that is how I interpret that drama and looking at Mudflap’s images from yesterday, he looks more like a Chelsea hostage then a happy bunny.
After listening to the Athletic podcast by Mark Chapman, David Ornstein and others it became clear to me what happened in the Mudryk saga and that this may very well become a case study for 21st century transfers in the years to com. Arsenal does bear some blame and responsibility because it looks like that they were taken by surprise.
Here is my deduction. With the Ukrainian war FIFA decided that the contracts of all foreign players would be suspended until June 30th 2023. Shakthar and 8 other Russian clubs took FIFA to court and lost a few days ago their appealed case in the Court of Arbitration (CAS). Shakhtar was suing for 50mill that they lost in player sales and only had Mudryk as the only valuable asset.
In the summer TW Mudryk was offered for 20 million and two clubs thought they had an agreement, but it was not to be. In 6 months his valuation by Shakhtar went up to 100mill. They were under financial difficulties and having lost their appeal they needed the money fast to cover costs. Even though Arsenal were willing to match Chelsea’s fee, they believed that Mudryk was always going to them and therefore took their time to get the finances together. Chelsea on the other hand were quick and had the whole finances as well as contract signing done in a few hours on Saturday.
So, bottom line Chelsea beat Arsenal to the signing because they had their finances lined up and ready, Arsenal did not. AFC had put all their eggs into this one basket and it is very disappointing for the supporters. However taking into consideration the invested targets that they missed out on like Vlah, Martinez and Raphinia, with the exception of Raphinia, they got somebody else that actually improved their project far better. Jesus and Zinchenco to just name two that improved the team beyond what the club had imagined.
For me the way forward is use the remaining time in the window to either get someone new in, recall someone who is out on loan or promote a player from within. Then in the summer get the players you are scouting now for a better price that is more reasonable and start building for the next season. It is a repeat of the last Jan TW, but we are in a better position now and circumstances are not as dire.
It’s very simple, this organization still operates under the same antiquated business practices that were established once Dein had left the room and Wenger was left to his own devices…it’s not difficult to recruit when your willing to pay over the number and your competing against no one of consequence, like with White, Ramsdale, Tomi, Vieira, amonst others, whereas things get infinitely more complicated when there are competing suitors and the other club in question wants to play hardball, which is when you really earn your management stripes…during MA’s tenure, we’ve been piss-poor when it comes to these latter scenarios, not to mention our rather horrific asset management record, which makes it all the more important that our management team gets their collective heads out of their asses and do something that will best ensure our success THIS season…no logical management evaluation metrics would ever suggest that we should be competing for anything of consequence, yet we are…as such, we can’t look this MF’ing gift horse in the mouth, as there’s no guarantees that the circumstances won’t change drastically by next season and we could find ourselves on the outside looking in…that said, if we can find a way to take proper advantage of our very fortuitous situation and win the day, the momentum and the resulting profits could set us up for the foreseeable future…it’s clear that there are a lot of blue chip players who aren’t buying into the Artetaball narrative, but that will matter exceedingly less if we find a way to capture a title this season, as that will make us an incredibly atractive option come the summer TW
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some positive improvements this season, I’m just not sure if that’s a byproduct of our manager’s efforts or it’s more indicative of the maturation process positively impacting the play of a few key individuals, combined with the fact we’ve faced some rather toothless opponents this year, for whatever reason…firstly, I’m definitely coming around on Ode, as he’s more influential against better opponents than in the past and he just might be finally finding his shooting boots…I’m likewise incredibly hopeful that maybe Partey has emerged from his injury funk(knock on wood), as he’s a pertinent piece of the puzzle…I even think that White has been rather effective at RB, even though I wouldn’t have purchased him in the first place (at least not at that inflated price)…furthermore, I’m chuffed that we’ve delivered far more consistant performances week-in and week-out, minus a few blips, which undoubtedly bodes well for the immediate future, especially if we can stay the course until reinforcements arrive and/or Jesus returns to the pitch…so it’s certainly not all gloom and doom for me, it’s just that this largely dysfunctional organization has found a way to disappoint so often that I refuse to let my guard down until something real and tangible actually occurs…I certainly don’t think that’s unreasonable…Cheers
“so it’s certainly not all gloom and doom for me, it’s just that this largely dysfunctional organization has found a way to disappoint so often that I refuse to let my guard down until something real and tangible actually occurs…I certainly don’t think that’s unreasonable”
My sentiments entirely TRVL.
How many weeks has it been since Junior was injured?
When City and others are enjoying their downturns, now is the time to take advantage and win the league at whatever the cost. Do this and our summer TW should see us get any target we can afford because Arteta will have validated his managerial kudos. Or will he?
Kilroy, thanks for the inside news on Mudryk. I wasn’t being blasé in my reply. TRVL explains in better detail regarding past TWs going back nearly 20 years.
Why not turn up with a blank bank guarantee an appointed bank’s lawyer can fill in the amount and authorize. In today’s tech all can be done within the blink of an eye once the details are finalized.
Boely has set the precedent for buying a player. It’s how it should be done in my book. Just pissed KSE and the sleepy suits we’re caught being complacent.
A big response from us would be appropriate now, such as buying Leao or similar level. Making a marque signing will be a good way to flip the bird at the Chavs and others and instill more fear in our coming opponents.
If I were to sum up our ‘Suits TWs’ in 2 words: Entitled Indecision would fit.
For Edu & Arteta Squad Mismanagement sums up our last season’s result.
We were partly proactive with Junior and Zinch, so we need to be fully proactive this time, in this TW.
14 days and counting.
I’m sorry guys for doing this, but I am running a vote for who should win in City v Spu*s.
https://twitter.com/LondonIsRedCom/status/1615295869179531264?t=oVXWBRg_eZr66pnyLu1cKA&s=19
15% says City should win because they hate to see Spu*s winning.
85% are okay for the sacrifice for the greater purpose.
What about you?
Nowt to be sorry about Ambarish.
Spuds win by a few goals to take into account Haarland’s goals. I want to see Pep’s face.
It’s such a thin line, you are saying you would be happy seeing Spuds win.
M just kidding 😂
Hi Ambarish
It’s rare for me to say this but I’m placing myself in the majority hoping for our shit-stinking neighbours to beat the oil kleptocrats. For the following reasons…
– city are greater competition
– spurs are irredeemably shit and on a terminally downwards curve – they’re winning fuck all this year including the 4th place trophy. 1961 – there can’t be many left alive who witnessed their last title.
-if City keep dropping points and feel we’re getting away from them, they’ll sacrifice the PL for the ECL
-if spurs win, it’ll be a bittersweet experience for their fans knowing that they’re helping us.
– spurs are useful idiots. They can do us two massive favours in one week.
– a spurs win in convincing and controversial circumstances will get into the heads of City players before we meet them.
Don’t get me wrong. I loathe Tottenham but they have their uses.
Just been reminded of those nasty pink jerkins that the players ran out wearing on Sunday. A fucking abomination. Let’s hope we never see them again. They ran the risk of being arrested by the style police before kick off.
I think it’s more important, at this particular juncture, that City get a result so as to keep the requisite amount of pressure on our management team to pull a rabbit out of our TW hat…of course, I hope they struggle to secure points once the window is closed and the push for the title kicks into high gear…Cheers Tony for your follow-up to my earlier soliloquy
Sorry for going back to the Mudryk saga but it keeps on getting headlines because it is the most unusual transfer and the more details emerge the worst Arsenal look and the more the incompetence in doing business in the mid season TW becomes evident. From the Athletic “Why Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea not Arsenal – by Shakhtar’s CEO”
• The two London clubs offered the same amount for Mudryk, but the add-ons built into Chelsea’s bid were more “achievable and realistic”
• Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali proposed a future friendly against Shakhtar in Donetsk.
• Overall, the total figures were the same. The fixed part, variable part, bonuses. But if you look inside the fixed part and bonuses, it was completely different. Different time (schedule) of the payments, different kinds of bonuses. Yes, we can talk about bonuses, but Chelsea’s bonuses would be somehow achievable and realistic.
• When Arsenal proposed the final offer of €70million plus €30million (in add-ons), we sat down and started to talk internally about how it will be fulfilled in terms of the payments, the fixed part and the bonus issues. We realised we will not close this deal (with Arsenal).
After putting all the eggs in the Mudryk basket having monitored him for a long time, Arteta really wanting him, it becomes clear Edu wanted to find ways for not paying Shakhtar what they were asking for. Amateurish and deservedly he is going to Chelsea. It had nothing to do with Mudryk getting a larger salary it was down to AFC shaving off a pittance on an outlay of €100million, that to me is not the behavior of execs at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
I have to change my thinking on this and how it will be effecting future deals. Arsenal will now have the stigma of being stingy, cheap and wanting to squeeze every penny out of a deal, while Chelsea, God forbid the next phrase, seems to be reasonable and accommodating. WTF is wrong with the 3 stooges.
there appears to be some chatter regarding both Vlahovic and Diaby today, in light of us missing out on Mudryk, for better or worse, of which I have some mixed feelings…personally if we’re willing to shell out 90+M for a player I would opt for Nkunku over either of these players, as I believe that what he has on offer could take this project to the next level…he’s more positionally versatile than the other two in question and he’s the kind of set piece specialist that we could undoubtedly use…I certainly have nothing against Diaby, as he’s a highly skilled forward, who has considerable pace and an eye for goal, but I still believe he’s a level below Nkunku…of course, he might be a much more logical mid-season target due to Bayern’s current position in the table, versus that of Leipzig, but I very much doubt either club could ignore a sizeable offer…as for Vlahovic, I like his skillset, but I don’t know how this would play out once Jesus returns, unless GJ is willing to take on a completely different positional role…with this in mind, I wouldn’t be opposed to Vlahovic leading the line with Jesus assuming the more advanced role that Xhaka has occupied for the better part of this season…not to mention, GJ could also be deployed out wide when necessary, which would give us some much-needed delth behind both Marts and Saka…fact remains, if we’re going to commit such a vast sum we simply must get it right, as we can’t afford another Pepe scenario, let alone being left at the altar again
We have egg on our face and need to show we are capable of doing business in the TW. Therefore get something done that looks like a statement signing after Edu had his pants pulled down and now diehard supporters rubbish the Mudryk deal and say he wasn’t worth it. That is bullshit, because lengthy discussions, 3 offers plus matching Chelsea’s money offer shows they wanted him. So, show that you are worthy of negotiating for one of the biggest club in Europe.
Killroy—we’ve been playing the “stingy” card for almost two decades now, so that comes as no surprise…for me it’s all about MA’s unyielding NEED to totally monopolize all things player selection related, as he wasn’t willing to strike a deal that would make it almost impossible for Mudryk to not be a regular starter…in fact, it appears he wanted to be able to pay 70+M for a player he may or may not give adequate playing time to, thus making it inifinitely cheaper for us, if things went sideways…I’m assuming this was an amateur hour overcorrection on his part due to his own ill-advised Willian and Auba deals…regardless, not a good look for us once again, as this will raise concerns for both potential future transfer partners and any player looking for assurances, which is commonplace nowadays for any blue chip prospect or top quality player