Running busy a bit, but it’s good to see Saturday night football back. We are playing Bournemouth today in about 15min.
There are some changes to the lineup. Ben White is back in the defense alongside Calagiori, Gabriel and Saliba as Timber isn’t fully fit to make it. Merino starts in the midfield with Thomas Partey and Rice. Odegaard is still out. It’s a strange front 3 – Martinelli makes way for Trossard which kind of makes sense but Sterling starting at the right is a concern for me. Saka is injured, I understand but we have seen Martinelli playing well in that position. Even Trossard can do that job. Unless it’s a precaution to keep Marti safe from the injury he picked up on the international break, it’s a poor decision in my opinion.
Every week is an important one if you are fighting for the title. Liverpool has made it even more difficult this season, sitting at the top with 18 points, ahead of City and Arsenal in equal game. We can’t afford to slip here. It’s a must win game, just like the next 30 ones.
Bournemouth has been a kinder opponent for us, since their return in the top flight we have won all 4 games against them with an aggregate of 13-2, scoring 3+ goals in each of those encounters. They haven’t been able to grab a win against the top half of teams in their last 10 games and we should make sure to keep it that way.
An away game is always difficult in Premier League. However, with our defence and form, and with Bournemouth not doing any great any time, we should be comfortably winning this.
A 3-0 for me, Havertz scoring 2 and Trossard with his signature mask celebration. Short one today, hope you and your family is well. Take care and see you in 15 min.
Cheers!
this sort of situation doesn’t fit MA’s new bully-ball script
On a lighter note, Nwaneri and Jesus looks brothers with the former taking his height from his dad lol
great line “architects of our own downfall tonight”
Marc
A washed out, has-been Wenger would have won this with 10 academy players…
Before kickoff Bournemouth were a couple of places above the relegation zone.
Ambarish
And played far more entertaining football.
We hated the entropy and everything offensive nature of Arsene when the world was buying DMs and World Class defenders..
We then got a manager who got half defenders in the team, loves playing defensive and all he has to show is the ‘structure’..
It only works till you win.. the football’s boring.. and you are Pep who wins inspite of that same boring football…
you are *not Pep
Marc—important second point about the brand of football here…MA missed the mark when it came to understanding why we couldn’t get it over the line the last two seasons…makes sense though, as he didn’t want to blame himself for his lack of tactical nous and his inability to identify/secure the right pieces
Bournemouth have been playing a rabble rousing football, out of any of the books El B has read.
So he is looking totally flabbergasted
try fucking shooting Jesus!! if only he could shoot half as well as he flops, he would be world-class
TRVL
He can’t put this on one player.. we lost today, there are still 30 games. We lost Saliba for game against Pool, but you have got Tomi, White, Kiwior, Calafiori in the name of versatility.
He would not be in a good position cometh end of season of he can’t show anything in return.
I would pay 30 odd millions to sell Jesus to City.. that would be a double for us.
Raya must have watched some of his early days performances during the break…he’s been wretched today
Normally Partey would have imposed against such a team. But with the placement , can’t notice anything from partey or even notice he is around
I like Trossard – he’s a decent player but the simple fact is he’s arguably cost us 5 points already this season when you add in Arteta’s negative style of football.
Hopefully a few fans will look at the 5 points we’ve also fucked up with Arteta being too negative in both this match and the Brighton match by being too negative.
Ambarish—what “one player” are you speaking of?
So negative I had to say it twice!
Marc—don’t forget that dreadful Atalanta affair!!
Saliba.. it’s going to come down to Saliba. He is not one of his own.
Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-na-na-na now
Arteta you’re a cunt you’re a cunt
Arteta you’re a cunt
Na-na, na-na, na-na, na-na-na-na now
Arteta you’re a cunt you’re a cunt
Arteta you’re a cunt
Come on everyone join in.
without the proper context maybe, especially considering Tross’s shitty back pass and Raya’s mindboggling retreating back into his box
Game over.
First time seen El B being respectful to opposing managers. Normally , after winning , he just flaps his hand disdainfully, without even looking at the face.
Makes sense , Halland telling him ” be humble man, be humble “
what a cunty ear worm Marc
Hoopah—they’re longtime friends
TRVL
Mate you’re going to be humming it / singing it all weekend!
Is this the beginning – there is a song in there somewhere. The beginning of the end.
TRVL – Atalanta was the start.
Ambarish – dont blame Saliba – Tross put him is a desperate situation.
Unfortunately Marc’s best mate has no idea.
Our best player will not be on the pitch next Sunday – but I know who will – Havertz and probably Sterling.
Norg
The worry is Saka and Ode – the last thing we need is for Arteta to rush either back if they’re not ready and aggravate the situation.
Marc
We both know he has no idea. The super computer may be right – 8th at the end of the season. In the Kroenke household I wonder what got thrown at the TV first – his wig or a bottle.
I am so glad I went to bed. I tried leaving hope on the blog, but seems it failed miserably.
Great commentary lads with comment of the night from’s Marc’s below. Just really made me laugh this morning.
“Pep would win with 10 men, Klopp would have won with 10 men, Wenger would win with 10 men, Emery would win with 10 men, Slot would win with 10 men, Ten Haag would win with ten men, the fat Aussie Bastard would win with 10 men, my Mum would win with 10 men.”
Marc
Get copyright on your above El B ditty. It could get you retirement income…… Any decent publishers would do.
TRVL
We’ve discussed our potential for the season and views in some detail where tonight’s game really sums up my side of the “can we lift the trophy this season” shout in one word: selections!!!!
You hit nail on head and something I’ve mentioned in previous posts; keep Rice as an authentic 6. At least while Merino get’s match fit, which he clearly wasn’t last night, and until Ode is fully match fit with games under his assured belt.
I couldn’t really think to post and watch last night from fatigue, but I completely agreed with your Nwaneri thinking instead of Partey who has had intermittent form, and is slowing down from his slow normal pace.
Same selection idiocy in previous games, so same mistakes not trusting youth or playing pets.
Ambarish & Hoopah were right El B looked clueless once again being undone by a mate hurt you could see it in his feret looking face.
My view is El B threw Kiwior under the bus, maybe not intentionally, but his decision was wrong. Kiwior has not really made a left defensive position his own yet and El B wanted a Saliba masterclass performance with 10 men.
I believe the correct thinking is you can have 2 right footed CBs together but not left footed, as proved last night. Is that right, TRVL? There were debates in LG long into the night about such pairings.
When will our manager play players in their best positions?
White was the only Salaiba replacement, so the RB needed filling not the RCB. That’s why I suggested the midfielder Skelly at RB. He offered good help with our LB defensive duties in his recent minutes, in the game. Clearly Zinchenko wasn’t to be trusted at RB as he’s a poor LB.
White has looked off all season at RB. He’s been found out, being Saka’s link man with Ode triangles to get Saka into space, so stop White and the right side attack breaks down more. It’s why Timber was better but has mistakes in him, too, mostly from his hot temperament.
Then you look at us having Kiwior and Zinchenko, and no RB back up bar the perma injured, but decent Tommi, and ask ourselves the simple question: Why buy them? They cost us points to lose top place in last 2 seasons, with others, such as Trossard but ‘Tross’ does save our scrawny necks at most important times to win games.
Like many he’s not consistent. Rice is below his defensive best because he’s asked to play his weaker positions. He’s not an 8, or false 9 or AMF. He’s a very good 6 and RCB.
It’s easy to lay player blame when they are forced into tactical plays that the players are not best suited for – certainly this season. When have we looked our last season best, this season?
When have we imposed ourselves from kick off to the fat lady singing? Not once in 10 games.
This will happen again in more games. I see reds cards as acts of desperation – last ditch attempts to save the game going pear shaped with players’ poor decision making. Same in Wenger’s days, but not in GG’s days: we just kicked lumps out of opposing players from mistimed and hungover football at times, some intentional or we just liked kicking Van Nistilroy. It was a fun past time to watch Keown at his lump kicking best.
TRVL I hope you’re right and Josh and Daddy are not amused.
My view last night is we lost the game from poor starting selection and tactics that Iraola saw coming and went to work at making our play flat. We tend to be flat anyway after the International break. We were very flat last night out of the traps.
11,000 capacity ground with a B’mouth squad probably not worth Saka and Rice combined £ms, humbled us last night. A small team; height challenged, but a team knowing what they had to do collectively, and they did it. Marc was right, we should have won with 10 men where I would add Pumpkin to the list after his mum. I know KP will approve.
Hoopah Loved your poster’s curse of “they not being good enough to score”. Priceless lol.
So, Shakhtar at home and L’pool visiting for our Sunday late game. We have Tommi and Timber coming back, so surely Tommi or White plays RCB? Kiwior will be feeling like Tavaras being subbed and hooked; never good for a player’s psyche. Tavaras never recovered.
Calafiori is decent, but no Maldini in waiting.
Again, because he’s playing in the final 3rd too much. El B needs to make his mind up.
If he wants right wing backs, then play 3 at the back. Not some unworkable galaxy brain walk about system we seem to employ, which when it works looks glorious, but has our 9 more often in our pen area than where he should be. He’s then lauded for the shifts he’s putting in by pundits, which really is a false narrative except he’s scored in 5 games mostly gifted or set-piece goals, but goals nevertheless. Without them we’d be below B’mouth now. So what really makes sense for Kai? Army Swiss Knife 9?
I’ve got no idea for our next 2 games. I’m really not enjoying predicting the shambles that is our play this season. It took El B 8 games to realise Timber and Calafiori should play in their natural positions.
I’ve got a very busy week coming up, and would love to read your thoughts TRVL on our next 2 games and all who have ideas. I’m just happy we play Liverpool at home without Salaiba. I assume Salaiba can play the CL game, is this right?
KP
How did your local games fare? Saw you won the last big one with another red card assist.
LIR
I often wondered what would El B’s best leaving song be?
For me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttEMYvpoR-k
Marc’s should be sung on the terraces.
Anyone got any other songs in mind? KP?
Sorry Ambarish, I wish there was more positivity to be had this morning from our car crash football last night…..