Premier league has decided to cancel all fixtures for this weekend, I don’t really understand it and believe it would have been better to pay an in-game tribute but then I’m not a British citizen and it’s difficult for me associate to a monarchy. If the league has decided for it, they would have sufficient merit to do so, and I will leave it to that.
So, what that means for us? We get an extra week of rest but a fixture congestion later on. Everton are in shambles and it would have been easier to play and beat them at this moment. Moreover, we need move on from the loss at Old Trafford and as quickly as possible. I’m not sure if we are going to see cancellations for next week too, but if not, this rest can prove vital. We are going to play PSV on Thursday and Brentford away on Sunday afternoon.
I missed to cover the game against Zurich (apologies) which had lots of positives. Eddie is a complete striker and a competition rather than a back up for Gabriel Jesus. We saw the young Marquinhos scored his first goal and earn an assist to Eddie’s. He was a standout and reminded me of another young Brazilian, playing for Arsenal on the left wing every week. I respect Edu and Arteta’s decision to keep him rather loaning out, he will prove to be vital and with Europa, we have options to give game times to these youngster and develop them for the first XI.
I’m a little concerned for the midfield though. Partey is often injured and Lokonga still needs a lot of development to play as the lone #6. A partnership of Lokonga + Xhaka or Elneny + Xhaka do not convince me. I’m a bit bewildered and angry about our negligence for the midfield. We did try to sign Douglas Luiz but it didn’t need to come on the last day of transfer window and we shouldn’t have missed out. We are working on a project youth and our 19-20-21 years old are bossing in every position but we haven’t seen Arteta promoting anyone for the role Partey and Xhaka plays. We could have kept Azeez or Patino and develop them similar to what we are doing with Marquinhos in my opinion.
I didn’t want to wait for another TW for the midfield fix. We must accept that Partey is an injury prone player and we need someone competing with him rather than a back up.
Short one today, hope you are doing well!
P.S. – I’m trying to build a fan section on this blog. I have asked few of my Gooner friends if they are willing to contribute an article or two. I would find it difficult to put things which I don’t agree with on London Is Red, but then differences in opinions are healthy. We all love Arsenal and yes, fuck the Spu*s.
In case you have some free time on your hand, I would love couple of articles from you too.
Kroenkephobe,
Would you believe the cancel culture have got their grubby paws on Harper Lee? I expect Steinbeck to go the same way next. Very sad. This type of thinking reflects very poorly on modern society. I have the Scottish play to console myself with. Going to post you a link to an absolutely brilliant rant about cancel culture,pretty sure I put it in before so forgive me in advance. As regarding the relevance to Arsenal, just have a look at the revionism surrounding Arteta’s first 3 seasons.
https://youtu.be/p9_bI789Gog
This guy is just so funny……
Almunia
Good to see you back – hope all is well.
Almunia
I’m sitting back and waiting for the complete meltdown of the lala people in America (probably most other places as well) when Trump wins in 2024.
When will these groups learn that when they push crazy agenda’s too far normally moderate people move further right and it makes things worse?
Marc,
Thanks. I’m getting there.
Your point about moving to the right struck home,I think that’s happening to me and I think,as you suggested,it’s in retaliation to the extreme left going into overdrive. I find myself being far more easily irritated and frustrated than I used to be. I don’t think I would ever have voted Trump had I lived in America,but then again its difficult to be sure of that from the shelter of Ireland. I read ‘hillbilly elegy’ last year and I have more sympathy now for people who felt ignored by the Democrats. Always two sides I guess.
Hey hey lads. Can’t say I agree with a lot of that political polemic, but the great thing about LiR is that it can get expressed without invective.
I think you’re both overly and unnecessarily concerned about the faltering and the suppression of the right and the apparent growing dominance of the left. The right wing controls politics, money and the media in Europe and the US and that shows no sign of abating. And let’s face it, King Chuck may talk about climate change in a mealy mouthed and unfocused way but he’s hardly Trotsky.
In the US, the point to make is that EVERYONE is being neglected politically and economically disenfranchised except the rich white men. Trump, Kroenke, John Henry and Boehly to name but a few of the money grubbing cunts who pull the strings.
Don’t panic. Democracy, plurality and diversity are all suffering and these lads are getting richer and more powerful. As Louis Armstrong or Sam Cooke once sang, it’s a wonderful world.
Peace and love!
Hi Almunia
You know, I’ve never read TKAM. I tried the film with Gregory Peck as Atticus and it bored the shit out of me. I’m also a bit neuralgic about Hollywood’s perennial weakness for seeing racial issues through the eyes of brave white defenders rather than the people on the receiving end – ever seen Missisippi Burning? Fucking awful film. If it’s withdrawn however, I think in that case it’s wrong. From what I know about her, HL seemed not to have a bad bone in her body.
I think the problem though in this case lies more with the conservatism of curriculum setting down the years. Too many stories about too many white people over and over again. Lord of the Flies is another example. Plus anything by Evelyn Waugh. Graham Greene, on the other hand was slightly more catholic in both senses of the word. The thing that amazes me, given the impressive literary canon in Ireland, is how little of that was taught to us as schoolkids in ingerland. You probably had a better experience.
Maybe we should suggest Ambarish changes the name of this site to ‘literature is read’. Have a good weekend mate. Ms K and I are hitting the highs of Shrewsbury this weekend – fuck knows why! There’s not even a (tame) Shrews game on (although I might disappear between midday and 2 pm on Sunday to a pub…)
Kroenkephobe,
I’d imagine the difference between the history taught in English schools v what’s taught in Irish schools would be worthy of a book in itself. Can’t speak for England but over here it’s time to leave some things behind,not out of shame or indifference to the past you understand, but sometimes a bitter history is a weight around the neck of those looking to move towards the future.
Anyway,have a great weekend in Shrewsbury, I couldn’t care less where I’d end up if myself and the Mrs could get a mini break,just the 2 of us away from the kids for the sake of our sanity. You enjoy the hell out of it.
Am watching Villa Southampton here,the young Irish kid in goal for saints,Bazuna,is excellent,but the cb they have, Bella Kotchap,looks the real deal. Have watched him 3 times now and it’s impossible to accept he’s not a battle hardened vet. Touch of the Salibas about him. Really like Jacob Ramsey of Villa also though he has understandably dropped a level from his breakout season. Think he’s going to be at a top 4 club in another few years.
Big weekend for us, Brentford away is the type of match we’ve been screwing up for over a decade now. Let’s hope that those days are over…….
Hi Almunia
I’ve just tuned in. Maybe the first half was better because this half has been shite. Ramsey is a spiky battle-hardened player no? Bella-Kotchap will either have that special sauce or be a rotten tomato… Sorry couldn’t resist it! But both teams seem less than the sum of their parts. I think soton might suffer a bit this year. I wouldn’t mind if Villa and StevyG also struggled.
I agree entirely about the history point. There are still millions of people over here who believe revisionist bullshit just because it’s been printed in a book.
As for Brentford, we have a much better team on paper. I think we’ll see an entirely different outcome from last year’s game. We really need to double teams like the Bees. I’m going for 3 nil with Jesus having a big game.
Oh, and our mate Callum O’Dowda scored a really nice goal for the Bluebirds in the week up at M’boro. Be good to think he still has an international future.
Hasenhuttl is very strange. He has three very distinct outfits. Provincial headmaster (tonight), tweed suited English gent (really fucking odd) or nylon clad, baseball hat wearing hoolie.
Although I cannot swear to it, Hasenhuttl in English means a hutch, or cage for hares…
Kroenkephobe,
It’s been poor alright,looks like I picked the wrong match to watch. Pretty sure Bournemouth will go down. Forest also. 3rd is more difficult but it could well be the Saints. Very short of goals unlike Fulham and Leeds. Everton won’t be in that conversation this year.
Think if we win on Sunday it’s by a single goal,2-1. Not confident of winning at all though.
O’Dowda’s form has earned him a recall to the Irish squad,fair play. Would like to see him get some game time,always liked his energy and attitude. Technically better than a lot of players in that squad.
Hope you get a few pints in this weekend now that ‘Dad’s taxi’ is temporarily out of service.
Call it wishful thinking, but I’ve got a feeling Leicester will get something out of spurs tonight.
Almunia
Be good to get your thoughts too on Calum Robinson who recently signed for Cardiff from WBA. He once hit a hattrick against Chelsea and has 29 Ireland caps. I’m hoping he’ll be the missing link and get a shit load of goals, becoming Cardiff’s very own personal jesus. He certainly looks the part and has made an encouraging start. I’m starting to regret not making a detour to Huddersfield. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Addicks.
Not sure that was a pen but Leicester have missed it anyway.
Retake!
Leicester seem determined to get Rodgers the sack. Do you guys remember the hammers team that got relegated in 03? Ridiculous talent inches squad including Joe Cole, Di canio, Glen Johnson, Freddie knotted,Lee bowyer and a multitude of others. I spent the whole season waiting for an escape that never came. Could this Leicester team repeat that 20 years on?
Have to hold my hands up on lloris,I thought he should have been replaced in the summer,but he is still producing quality performances.
Kroenkephobe,
Callum Robinson is very popular over here and all things being well probably starts for us. Far more skillful on the ball and as a dribbler than he is given credit for. Actually putting the ball into the net hasn’t come easy for him in a green shirt but he never fails to put in a proper shift.
# talented squad
#Freddie kanoute
I have now officially resigned as a result prognosticator. That Conte geezer is fucking useless isn’t he? Well that’s what paranoidpedro says.
Kroenke
Pedro’s completely lost the plot – ManU are useless but are 3 points behind us and beat us. The Spud’s are useless but are 2 points above us even if we win the game in hand they’re only a point behind. They also play shit football – it’s as if the last 2 1/2 seasons haven’t happened.
To top it off he was running some line the other day about the student teaching the master because Pep played Stone’s at RB – City had injuries we have a manager who can’t be seen to drop a £50 million CB he signed for a kid we already owned.
He’s lost any credibility he might of had as a fan with serious views or knowledge on the team.