Maybe it’s just because I generally despise later season international breaks, but I feel like this could make our run-up far more problematic. The only tangible benefit to our early Europa exit was that it should have afforded us a considerably less condensed schedule, thus making it more and more likely that we could field our ‘best’ 11 for each and every remaining League fixture. If there were no breaks, I can’t imagine that we would be playing 4 matches in 13 days between April 16 and 29th. I guess the one saving grace, so long as no further setbacks occur during the break, (knock on wood) is that this might allow those with nagging injuries or worse, like Saliba, extra time to mend, as we can’t be relying on Holding to get the job done, regardless of the fact he performed rather admirably in Saliba’s absence.
Of course, I wouldn’t be quite so rattled if it weren’t for the fact that I’m totally convinced that if we look this gift horse in the mouth, we might not be in a similar position again. This certainly doesn’t mean that we won’t be playing meaningful late season matches in the foreseeable future, but to think we could have another sizeable lead so late in the season seems at best wishful thinking or at worst rather delusional. The planets have aligned for us in a way few have ever previously encountered, minus LC, and as such if we don’t stake our claim now I believe we will forever regret it.
Man City – will always be in the hunt, if not the presumptive favourites, so long as the ownership and Pep remain fully committed, unless they’re severely punished for their laundry list of transgressions, which I very much doubt.
Liverpool – with Klopp at the helm and attractive football on offer, they will remain a constant threat for trophies. They’ve made some long-game acquisitions over the last 18 months, who should come good next year and beyond, so if they can shore up their midfield and find a consistent CB partner for VVD, the future looks bright.
Chelsea – regardless of the coach in charge, as I’m not convinced Potter will survive the off-season, they will invariably return to prominence, as they have the financial wherewithal to compete with any and all comers. Although the results have not been forthcoming this season, they have done exactly what I had hoped we had done when Arteta was hired, invest heavily in young blue chippers, then allow them to grow with the bevy of talented in-house up-and-comers. They might be two years away from competing for the title, but with the right tactician they should eventually present serious problems for everyone in the PL for years to come.
United – I’m a big proponent of what ten Hag’s brings to the managerial table and I find it difficult to not see his squad make strides every season, so long as they continue to find creative ways to score goals, which means they can’t afford to lose Rashford unless they find a like-for-like replacement. If they’re able to raise some funds through the selling off of some players in the summer, like Harry, Elanga, McTominay, among others, and a new ownership group emerges, who spends anything like Chelsea, I think Hag will be able to acquire his most preferred targets. If these things transpires, they will undoubtedly complete their transition from pretender to contender.
Newcastle – they’re a rather interesting experiment, in that they have the resources, but not the requisite cachet to lure top, top talent, at least not quite yet. I don’t mind Howe, but they might have to make a big splash in the managerial market in order to change this narrative. In the meantime though, they will continue to play good enough defence to challenge for the top 4-6, but they will struggle to find the required amount of goals to turn the proverbial corner, unless Isak continues to stay healthy and score with the kind of frequency he’s displayed since his return from injury.
Spurs – they could be on the outside looking in, especially if they decide to hold a fire sale and offload the likes of Kane and Son. That said, if they do hire the aforementioned Nagelsmann, their downturn could be relatively short-lived, as he’s proven his ability to turn things around in short order, regardless of whatever transpired prior to his arrival.
Furthermore, every season a team or two emerges who vastly overachieves and negatively impacts the aspirations of those who were considered early season favourites; for a perfect example one needs to look no further than the likes of BHA, who not only survived a managerial change, they actually have thrived in it’s wake. If there isn’t a mass exodus of sorts at Brighton, they could be a real thorn in the sides of those mentioned above.
So, we better make hay before this incredibly fortuitous window closes. Not to mention, if we find a way to hold off the likes of City, it just might allow us to shake our almost two decade long mediocrity-laced narrative thereby allowing us to attract the kind of players needed for us to remain relevant over the long haul.
Cheers!
I was always a C46 or C60 proponent, simply because of tape thickness, as there was nothing more deflating than your new “best” mixed tape getting summarily chewed up and spit out…when I was relatively young there was a local radio station who used to “illegally” play full albums uninterupted, which me and my buds would eagerly record onto cassettes using those shitty old school pop-top tape recorders…no wonder I cared infinitely more about tape thickness than recording length
I knew of Bauhaus largely due to their covering of Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust”…years later I saw old footage of their appearance on Top of the Pops…I’ve spent countless hours doing deep dives of that show, Jules Holland, From the Basement etc…the latter of which was my favourite…Peter Murphy is a bit of a David Byrne/David Bowie(China Girl/Modern Love era) love child, who in many people’s eyes was one of the founders of goth music, of which I have mixed feelings about…cool tidbit though, as I didn’t know that PM was the one in the ads…Cheers
ancedotally-speaking, one of my favourite early radio station recordings was Rush’s 2112, which if you’re unfamiliar with is a seminal mix of lyrical composition and world-class instrumentation, that I eventually had signed by Geedy Lee himself some 10 years later when I met him through a friend’s father, who was in the entertainment industry…apparently his father had arranged for one of Rush’s earliest gigs in the region, when they played in a small rather nondescript venue for a high school graduation…unfortunately this tape and the signature were destroyed when a hot water heater blew the fuck up and my girlfriend at the time had stupidly put a box of what she thought were old shiity cassettes in an adjacent space
Geddy Lee
Good work, TRVL, you have a sharp, astute mind into the workings of Arsenal, the culture, and football generally.
The 90’s and the introduction of the PL was one of football’s biggest con-jobs ever and completely pulled the wool over every football fans eyes.
It was the golden ticket awarded to super-rich United to fully exploit their wealth to dominate.
Between 1993 and Abramovich buying Chelsea their first PL title in 2005, United won eight PL titles.
But it was completely different in nature to Liverpool’s dominance.
For me, England’s footballing hierarchy buckled and bowed to the power of a largely biased United loving media, and allowed United carte-blanch to flex their financial superiority over the rest of the PL.
Arsenal rattled them until the stadium move, but the stark difference in trophies won during this period is a reflection of both club’s wealth.
After pulling off this outrageous coup in gaining every possible advantage for United, Rupert Murdoch even had the brass neck to try and buy the club.
I’m expecting a comfortable win against Leeds, then we have a week to prepare for Anfield.
Liverpool have City before we play Leeds, and they have Chelsea midweek.
It’s not quite a title decider, but I’d love the players to invoke the spirit of ’89.
George Graham’s Arsenal were given no chance, but in a highly emotionally charged stadium with Hillsborough still at the forefront of peoples minds, Arsenal performed above and beyond against a Liverpool team littered with superstars.
So it can and has been done.
As you alluded to, TRVL, the stars have aligned for Arsenal in many ways this season, hopefully they will again against Liverpool.
A point would be a great result.
Leeds first, ogaat.
Morning all
I have a feeling TRVL & KP are from the same generation or close to, with me probably going much further back at almost 68. Beck was decent but when you’ve lived through the early 60 from earliest music memories. Pop was just emerging from the rock and roll era of Teddy Boys and Greasers – hence – Grease The stage show. Then the infamous mods and bikers that eventually led to punk and so on ……….
From when I can remember music was my life; everything evolved around it until I found The Arsenal then it was football and music from about age 8. I wasn’t interested in lyrics in my early music appreciation days – just the melodies and solos. I didn’t buy a stereo, my first system was a quadrophonic system that allowed me to break the sound down better. Little wonder I turned to sound engineering really.
When I was in recording studios I was more interested in the engineer’s desk settings and producer than I was the music. Studios were too repetitive for me I got bored too easily as my mind lasted onto other things. I liked engineering live sound or sound warriors as studio engineers called us.
TRVL – You can’t go wrong with Orange either for instruments or home hifi. Cerwin Vega’s were the better of the subs in their early days. Like you I lost a small fortune on equipment more so because I liked PA (public address) live sound so Crown became my preferred choice to run as a pre amp and running bass cabs. The last sound system was with an old twin pot crown amp – 25 years old and cost me £3000 at the time. Probably cost a lot more today if still working as they were brilliant as a bi-amp to say a top Denon processor.
Your American M&K speakers were my last speaker configuration in my last 17th century converted ale hose as my last UK property overlooking the Thames eatery. I used the barrel room set deep in granite below the road and converted that into a music room.
You have the best IEM (in ear monitors) company in the world in America: J Harvey Audio. Custom built to your ears.
https://jhaudio.com/iem/JHA-CIEM-SHA
I just gave my Roxannes to a good friend who helped me with my room structure; I knew he wouldn’t accept payment, and he has built a good condo surround system, but had issues for late at night. The Roxannes solved the Issue and I recommended he buy a top Schiit DAC to get the best from the IEMs. That or a valve amp. That would be my recommendation TRVL for you until you can unleash the beast and get that feel back in a room you can’t get from cans (headphones).
My Room now as I said is a 40+-year dream when I had no idea how I was going to pay for it, but got there in the end. When you have a family you either have to build/convert a man cave room or create a decent listening environment as you’ve done with your Senheisers OEMs (over ear monitors).
TRVL-If I were to go the OEM route I’d have to go with Stax.
https://staxheadphones.com
I would always be looking for imperfections in sound if I used wifi speakers or cans as my preferred choice for music. You can buy Chord and better lead extensions.
For travelling I’d use my AK380, which is one of the best digital players for Hi Res DSD downwards.
https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=31
A&K have a large product range worth looking at.
Sounds like you have real characters as friends with a good synergy.
See you at the game. 🙂
This was the kind of productions I was learning from back in the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwkJo9_c3fM
Some serious mixing and final missing completed on this Gillan track.
Bridge Over Trouble Water has the most final mixing hours at 144 or was?
TRVL-I put all my lifetime’s collection (over 3000) of vinyl, white labels, CD’s and Reel to Reel recordings from my live desk gigs into storage when I headed to S E Asia. My ex wife, then only separated at the time decided she’d hurt me the only way she knew she could and sold and gave my collection away.
Thankfully with the Internet I’ve found downloads for the cherished titles, but White Label and desk tapes can’t be recreated. Wasn’t good optics for her during the divorce, so I came out of it better than she did with no kids involved and a brilliant woman lawyer.
I’ve spent 24 years collecting again with many expats around the globe. It’s funny that size does matter when it comes to music files. 🙂 An MP3 is generally 10 times smaller than a DSD hi res file as an eg: The Eagles Hotel California as Hi Res is around 550mb whereas the MP3 version is 55mb. That’s too much compression for me. I hate the sound or lack of it.
Teac & Nagamechi, were leaders in the tape recording with a couple of hand made recorders I can’t remember now. The problem with tapes was the oxidation that corrupted them that and time and the magnetics wear thin. In studios they still record with the 2-inch tape that is handled with kids gloves and stored in special rooms. The Hi Res file is a direct recording for the 2-inch studio tape.
Finally, GAME DAY! Pumpkin’s been to his spa and is ready and preened for the game. Just the pre game tummy scratching, which Pumpkin thinks is his license to chew and slash at the hand in mock fight, but somethings forgets to retract claws. Junior kept on about him wanting to do it, so I handed the dodging of slasher’s claws and teeth to improve his sleight of hand if he ever takes up magic. 🙂 Unfortunately, Pumpkin is winning claws down recently, as he gets older but never draws blood; just sore scratches.
I think the outcome of City’s game against L’pool is going to galvanize us further: win or lose. Win and we have to win! Lose and we want the points gap to widen. Obviously, Xhaka is always a concern particularly against mobile opposition. I’d start Partey on the bench, as without him at Anfield is not worth contemplating. I imagine Arteta will go with a 433, but I’d prefer a 352 to keep winning the lost ball retention in the middle of the park. I think the 352 suits our available players better ands shores up our midfield.
Leeds have their 3 top players out, so moving the ball with one and two touch football to the final third is essential. Leeds like to play frantic or chaotic football when they get the time and room. Flooding the midfield makes that type of pacy football very difficult for Leeds to navigate.
Our lads will be up for it as the countdown to the Wolves’ game commences again today. beat Leeds and Pool get a result at City and we’ll be 11 points clear. We need to be at our best at defending in their final third and if we can’t rob the ball there, then upset the Leeds balance enough to be dispossessed in mid field.
Partey looks fit and injury free with him not playing in Ghana’s last game. However, I’d still play him from the bench if need be. Obviously, Tomi, Elneny and Eddie are short with Tomi out for the season.
I’d like to see some invention from Arteta for the Leeds game:
Ramsdale
Holding Gabs KT
White Kiwior Jorginho Trossard Zinchenko
Saka & Martinelli
Apart from KT, all our players are playing their preferred positions with Kiwior dropping to 6. KT is the fastest defender in the league, so should keep the high line in tact. Kiwior is no slouch either and can keep Jorginho covered.
I don’t see a Leeds Midfield being more pacy or as technical as the five we would be putting out whether attacking or defensively. Gabs is a powerhouse at the back in the air and Holdingho generally is good aerially and defending if pace isn’t used against him. Kiwior will be a good sweeper in front of the back three. Jorginho can do what he does best and be the midfield general using his experience over his lack of pace with a minder looking after him.
This is what I think we’ll see:
Ramsdale
White Holding Gabs Zinchenko
Ode Jorginho Xhaka
Saka Jesus Martinelli
Xhaka walk about free role the opposition doesn’t care about. Zinchenko inverting and Jorginho getting caught out being speed challenged with Xhaka. Arteta’s main hope is our front three finding the net several times. Leeds are likely to win the MF battles more with this tactical set up giving our defense too much work to do and I’d see a silly goal against at some stage.
Saliba is the biggest concern. It’s too risky to play him against Leeds, but should be saved for the City, BHA and Pool games. Partey is probably ok for today, but again Arteta should manage Partey’s involvements in all the remaining games to keep him as fit as possible by reducing Partey’s minutes per game.
I’ll predict 3:0 if we play 353 or 3:2 if we play our rigid system with keep players missing.
See you at the game.
key players*
Three important pieces of news coming out of the club this morning.
– Given his induction into the football hof this week, Arsene ‘chihuahua-headed bastard’ Wenger has been offered the hotseat on the manager’s bench this afternoon. He’s apparently delighted. He said, ‘ze mental and metal strength of the zips on ze Adidas coats are of a murch bedder qualidee zan ze old puma ones.’
Arsenal have signed 2 year old Norwegian/Italian wonder kid Olof Pirla on an 18 year contract. Paranoid Piss Poor Pedro on some blog o’bullshit called LG has hailed the signing as a sure way to bring down the squad’s average age, and therefore be league leaders in an important category. The catweasle headed twat with multiple personalities said, ‘once he learns to stop laying cables in our penalty area, and perfect his dribbling and using his dummy, he’ll be a world beater’.
– Arteta has a side hustle with Adidas meaning the 3 stripe logo will henceforth be cut into his sculpted eyebrows by Reiss Nelson’s barber.
Err…. Does everyone have April Fools Day in their countries?
KP- There was something niggling in the back of my mind when listening to Schiller, as I couldn’t quite catch the similarity of another track/music nuance and after some digging I found it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U56Ns66Qrb8
Same beat and haunting nuance from the instruments- particularly the synths & keys.
Everything but the girl were an early 80s band so I would imagine it was an influence on Schiller we hear in his music.
TRVL & KP Here’s one from the past, see if you can remember from the opening bars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ6sIxm_vWI
Tony
I absolutely love ‘Missing’. Tracy Thorn’s voice is a wonder. That track went to another level when Todd Terry re-mixed it. That tune takes me right back to my youth. There is a short synth riff in the middle of the chorus which is terrific. Let’s hope Rodrigo et al are missing this afternoon.
https://youtu.be/tPOXhIlAy4g
Tony
Right back atcher with another beautiful song from that time. I used to love putting this on in the morning after a big night out.
https://youtu.be/IAkY5m00rpY
Tony listen to this version and see if you prefer it. Ideally with the volume at 11 in your audio room!
Despite losing his crown jewels, Pumpkin sounds like he’s turning into a proper feline hardcase. I hope he’s nevertheless on top form. We need him to be at his spiky, pelota-less best in your TV room this afternoon Tony.
Kp-I’m not a cat person, but Pumpkin is cute and sweet/tough depending on his mood.
Great version the remix. That band was special and still current today.
I just watched Schiller Live in Leipzig on a club house tour. Pink Floyds percussionist: Gary Wallace on Roland synth drums and where I was so wrong about a Madonna collaboration, it’s Tricia McTeague & Kêta Jo McCue (Vox and synth). First, I’d heard of them, but both have voices to die for where also the use of the synth vocoder is excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTC_FOgETAI
Not the concert I watched, a later one, but shows a different side of Schiller. Tricia has the Madonna tonality, but a better range because she’s opera/classically trained, and because Madonna’s 2 backing vocalists have similar voices to Madonna, but bigger ranges, so they compensate for her. I have 4 of her DVDs/BluRays because I’m a fan of her voice and song writing. She has a great voice but it’s very clever live and her shows are well designed.
Seriously hoping City drop points today.
Took Mrs T to see Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour in BKK, at the arena, she was excellent and we were lucky to get good seats to the side of the runway.
Kêta Jo McCue was incredible on the Leipzig date of the early tour I have as DVD. I will be looking into these musicians and finding their music where possible.
Schiller is worthy of many accolades with excellent productions live or studio, it matters not when instruments are direct injection (DI) with no mics bar vocals. Even guitars are DI but also mics in front of the cabs these days.
I found Schiller when I was looking into Christopher Von Deylen. Going to keep poking around in that genre in Germany.
See you at there game. 🙂
Zoe – Sunshine On A Rainy Day! Another cool choice kind of melts in with Pat Banter and Heart both chic rockers around that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVZOLV9SPo
Looks like Haaland is out for the Pool game. Good news to start with although City won the league without Haaland before.
Can’t make todays match for personal reasons but its one that we should be winning without any drama. What could be as almost more important than our 3 points which should be a formality is if Liverpool can take points or a win from City. An 11 point lead even with their game in hand and the 2 difficult away matches against City and Liverpool really should mean its ours.
I should add with the Spuddie’s being all Spursy 4th is completely wide open for Newcastle and Liverpool so plenty for Liverpool to play for today.
I only love Salah today. Tomorrow he’s back to being a Bin Dipper cnut.
Liverpool beating City.
City edged the first half Liverpool defense like Swiss cheese and lucky to go in even. Just got to hope Klopp tightens up the back and does something with his midfield who are mostly 2nd to the ball and chasing shadows.
Useless Scouse cunts.
Liverpool look fragile and disjointed. Good time to play them.
Too easy for City
Looks like the rigid selection from the line up. I wonder if City winning influenced the decision to start Partey.
Bin Dippets parking the bus now. So good to see
How did you pull that one off Ambarish?
Hope you got this recorded as pics good to use for the blog
just up in time to watch the match in real time…pleased to see Partey and Jesus on the pitch to start, as It looks like Leeds haven’t come to North London simply to park the bus…still not a fan of Trossard playing in wide spaces though, as he just doesn’t have the requisite amount of pace
Tony-it’s clear that you’re light years ahead when it comes to the auditory arts…I believe one of my greatest assets, from a cerebral capacity, is my willingness to defer to the experts when it comes to all things beyond my scientific reach…unlike some who reach a point in life where they stubbornly believe that they’re learning days are done and dusted, I’m quite the opposite…in fact, I relish the notion of donning my student’s cap whenever it’s applicable…of course, that certainly doesn’t mean I don’t love the sound of my own voice on the odd occasion or three…much like the late, great Hitchens, I’m not so staunch in my opinions that I’m unwilling to change my ways should new and better information emerge in the meantime
cheap penalty, but nicely taken…it could be an important score considering what’s on offer presently
PS-thanks for the kind words Herbs, much appreciated