To be honest, the only reason I created this blog was to remind everyone that LONDON IS RED. The best of the lot is fighting for the league title, while the other one is trying to overtake Aston Villa for a 4th place finish to qualify for Champions League. Do you remember the first 10 games? Ange was the next big thing in the world, Spurs were competing for the title and some of the pundits (trust me, I will do a better job) were claiming that City reign has come to an end. Nothing like that has happened, mate.
Liverpool dropped points again and Salah couldn’t hold his anger towards Klopp. Statistically, they are still in contention but realistically, they are out. It’s either Man City or Arsenal. We are sitting a point ahead of City having played an extra game. They are a winning team, and they have easy run of games. No one will be surprised if they go on and win all their games in hand and ultimately the title. However, the least we can do is, keep them on their toes, a win today will give us a 4 point lead, and they won’t be able to afford any slip ups. We are better in goal difference as well.
But for that to happen, we must beat Tottenham today. Will it be tough? No – if we don’t go out to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are far superior than those c*nts.
Team News
We have a fit squad except Timber. Jurrien played an U21 game but he still need some time to make into the match day squad. Thomas Partey is back, and is in form.
When we signed Declan Rice from West Ham, everyone expected a midfield of Odegaard, Partey and Rice where Thomas takes the defensive role, and Rice plays in an advanced position. However, Mikel did a Mikel and started Partey at RB at the beginning of this season, who then got injured. Jorginho played that role in few games, Rice played the defensive role while Havertz supported him otherwise. Against Chelsea, we saw what we expected and we won 5-0 (which could have been much worse for the blues). I am hoping we get to see that midfield again.
Defensively, we are set. Saliba and Gabriel with White as RB and Tomiyasu/Kiwior as LB. I would love to see Martinelli starting today, Saka is going to start and I would prefer Havertz over Jesus in the CF role.
We all have forgotten about Ramsdale.
Game plan
I am not the manager. I don’t have any game plans except for no-fuck ups, and scoring 5 goals at minimum. And yes, don’t forget the clean sheet.
Here’s the thing, Ange likes possession and he likes to press. Our defence is press resistance and with Partey’s addition, we get that extra threat where he just comes up with a perfect balanced pass that no one would have thought of. The key would be to score an early goal, get tight defensively and hit them on the counter like we were doing against Aston Villa in the first half.
There will be some moments in the game where we will not receive the ball. Spurs have the 2nd best possession percentage after City, and in those moments, it’s very crucial that we maintain our defensive structure and not let them break it.
One very positive thing about today’s NLD is that we don’t get to see Harry Kane. He has been a c*nt against us.
Wrapping Up
Make sure to order an extra pint today, because we are winning and that means we get to celebrate the St. Totteringham Day.
I am hoping for a good game today, and a win keeps us in the title race. City will drop points if the gods are not happy with those 115 charges.
Right, see you during the game. Don’t forget to share your starting XI and predictions in the comment section.
KP
Agreed it was some game. We’ve all neglected that Spuds had 3 really solid chances with a header off the post. Had that gone in it would have been 1:1 with Spuds pressing harder.
A Raya mistake that almost cost us points bit for backs to the walls defending when the game should have been been put to bed early in the 2nd half. Had we gone out and gone for it to put Spuds on the back foot instead of playing to contain at 3:0 in the mindsets.
We let Spuds back in and that’s El B’s trait this season.
Good to see Forest go for it and test City’s stars with better speed and agility.
Stranger things have happened so never say never but you wouldn’t bet good money on City losing, would you?
as expected, Haaland came on and quickly closed out that match…that said, Forest accounted themselves well…imagine what might have been for our season if the mid to lower sides had shown that sort of grit and detemination instead of handing us a whole mess of fixtures on a silver platter…I guess that speaks to the mystique that comes with City’s notable success throughout the years, as each team sees this as their chance to make a little bit of history…quite frankly, if Wood hadn’t performed so poorly in front of goal, which is a bit unusual for him, things might have been different…just further evidence that there’s levels to this Striker gig, as Haaland simply came on and did his thing in short-order, whereas Wood shit the fucking bed on two sitters…we should make note of this fact as we move forward, as we don’t want to rely on what we presently have up top in a footballing world largely defined by fine margins
just finished reading the in-match comments, as I didn’t want any spoilers before I watched the City fixture…lots of good shit in there, wish I was there to partake…Cheers
I must admit I totally misread what Ange would bring to the equation today from a tactical sense…yesterday I spoke of how they would likely back off a bit, let us dominate the possession numbers, then counter us with pace…instead we saw a high pressing side from the off, who were far more interested in winning the possession battle than I had expected…maybe he felt that the home crowd would be incredibly restless if he took such a tepid stance, especially against us, or maybe he just wanted to catch us off guard, but when I looked at some similar type fixtures, like when they played City at home in the FA, Ange deployed a deeper sitting, counter-dependent tactical approach…good on him for showing some faith in his players, fortunately for the good guys many of his most prominent players and lady luck shate all over his very adventurous plans
now that it’s a foregone conclusion that Havertz will continue to receive siginifcant minutes in our squad come next season, we must find a way to have that make the most sense…maybe it would be best if we opted for a more Havertz-friendly 4-1-4-1, which would allow him to tuck in behind our new Striker or make the odd run into more advanced spaces, like in the first half against Villa, while limiting his time on the ball in deeper spaces…this would likewise place Rice in his rightful position, as our world-class DM…of course, he would still have some freedom to go venturing forward if we shored up our backer situation…with the right personnel in place, which could be Timber, when Rice went forward our LB could shift into the inverted role, whereas when he was sitting a bit deeper, our LB could go hunting up the wings and provide some much-needed cover for Marts (if he’s still here)
now if Havertz looks like he did at times today on a consistent basis, he still wouldn’t be the best option, but he certainly wouldn’t be the albatross-like figure he’s been for much of this season…it might allow us to focus our available funds on our most pressing issues, a bona fide Striker, some midfield depth(maybe even keep Partey and let him go on a free after the year) and a proper cover piece for Saka/Marts…if done correctly this could see us lift the title next year and make a magical run to the CL final…unfortunately, winning the CL could be an infinitely more difficult task over the next couple years if all of Real’s plans are fully realized
Good comments, TRVL.
Maybe Ange had too many Tinnies at Satuday’s barbie and got confused. I thought Ange’s team selection and in-game management was as bad as we’ve seen with El B at his worst.
After the first 5 minutes I thought we’d score a few goals where our first half was executed well with the best team selection for us available, barring, I would have played Ramsdale. we contained and push back with Ode our commander-in-chief dictating play.
Partey, Rice and Ode should have been our midfield all season; only El B’s knows why it wasn’t? I’m not buying the Partey long injury either. Other’s can subscribe to that POV, but not me! PC is probably the reason of the rarely mentioned, alleged accusations.
Had this been the case and had we had Emi last and this season, I truly believe we would have won 2 PL trophies back to back.
Our squad would have been good enough with Emi commanding his area and excellent distribution. Emi wanted first team guarantees, just like Willian, Luiz,+ and now Havertz & Jesus – all fully paid up members of El B’s pets’ team selection club.
The reality? Emi got sold and kept this form with Villa, where our rag tag bunch of keepers (can we call Runnerason a keeper?) played far too many games long after their usefulness, was for all to see.
Aitcho are you really suggesting that having Emi would have made no difference to last season? We lost the trophy by 5 points: two extra wins I believe Emi would have given us where if you go to specific losses, it’s hard to argue against, but be my guest. My mind is made up; however, others may value your thoughts.
Ditto this season I believe Emi would have afforded us at least and extra win this season, which is all we needed to be in front now. For further context, Raya, almost cost us points yesterday and has before.
Other than Mad Jens, one of Wenger’s many Achilles heels was his inability to find the right keeper or back line after the famed 4 were dismantled of Dixon, Bould, Adams and Winterburn. We mugged Cole off over an extra £5000 a week to the Chavs. El B clearly having learned from this pays his ‘El Babes’ twice or even three times what they are worth so they can never leave.
Look at El B’s back four and we have, White, who is now turning out quality displays, Saliba, El B did his best to sell, then Gabs who El B wanted to invert then sell this season, and finally he plays a RB at LB because he knows he shit the bed with liability merchant; Zinchenko.
Kiwior was a panic buy to cover for the Ukrainian. Fortunately, now beginning to show he belongs in the squad and may well make it.
Tomi is the new Elneny for the back four. The utility player who can’t keep fit, so used sparingly or as needs must.
Then we come to the albatross TRVL so aptly describes. No way is he an 8. Only a bad one when deployed in said left midfield. Agreeing with TRVL, Havertz best position is false 9 and 9, but is he good enough for either on his wages and cost to the club? After all football is a business where the bottom line matters, too, ask all those made redundant in recent years by Josh & daddy – I still mourn our mascot’s demise and so callously dispensed with. What message did that deed send to our competitors?
Havertz being so tall could fill in for the mascot, though, so maybe that was one of the 5 roles El B was talking about when he bought Havertz.
It begs the question why Havertz didn’t play as our 9 from game one this season? Jesus, our one is 5+ chance player bitching would be the answer. Hence the need for goals from other players, such as Saka’s 22? Yet Havertz is higher paid than Saka? Amirite?
12 non penalty goals (thank you Aitcho for the Palmer thinking) is not to be sniffed at. The 36+ gilt edge chances Havertz missed in the process are very much to be sniffed at and shouldn’t be ignored. A roughly calculated a one in four success rate is not a player who costs us what Havertz does nor should be our starting 9. I’ll buy into TRVL’s thinking that Havertz could well be the perfect foil for our new elite incoming 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbU3zdAgiX8 First words of the intro.
As far as I’m concerned penalties are goals and never easy when the pressure is on. Different pressure, of course, but, searing pressure when you’re on the spot.
Of the almost £700m we’ve spent on players we should be where we are. We bought our way here mostly badly, because had we bought or kept the right players most here and elsewhere would agree we would have added one PL title in the trophy cabinet and one almost ready to join the first this season.
Bottle job MK III.
Lakonga, Vieira, Jesus, Zinchenko, Willian, Ramsdale, Raya, Mari (RB), Tavares, Jorginho (pre Rice), Runnerson and Auston Trusty are all El B’s buys I certainly didn’t want and was vocal about.
The good have been, Ode, Rice, White (not what was needed, but has come good), Partey, Timber (looked some player before injury), Big Gabs (an Arteta buy?), Trossard and reliable Mat Turner who we should have kept as our 2nd keeper.
Kiwior is still a work in progress who is looking better as he gains experience.
The above is El B’s work: good, bad and ugly (Runnerson). We bought 12 players this armchair supporter from 6000km away didn’t want. Neither did junior who always offered better alternatives I didn’t know.
From that we have witnessed 3 years of April bottling our seasons, always right on cue as if ordained.
5 years in where our TW activity you can draw your won conclusions from above. El B bought seven players we all wanted and who have made the grade going forward.
I look at who El B has got rid of for petty reasons, certainly not good footballing decisions, and I’m left with wondering of what could have been: I think we all know that, and what will be as we blindly march into El B’s 6th year with just one covid FA cup to show for it.
Because for me 4th was never a trophy and 2nd is a loss in my languages.
Your POVs are welcome one and all.
Ange’s biggest mistake that cost him points was leaving Vicario to the attention of White at corners.
White does it to all the keepers so how was this tactic thankfully overlooked?
They are much more disciplined and a little bit more mature,” Kulusevski said. “That is where we are lacking at the moment. What do I mean by that? They score on corners. We concede. It is quite easy. It is being strong in difficult moments like a set piece.”
I think the chasm in quality between us and the scum is a little more complex than that, but Kulusevski deserves some self awareness points for this little offering.
Tony-you know full-well that I concur with the whole Partey injury ruse…maybe it was his off-field antics or the fact that he refused to move on when Arteta was looking to sell him last summer…regardless of the particulars, there was much more going on under the surface…much in the same vein as with Pool, as I suggested some time ago, which was all but verified this past weekend when Salah and Klopp had a go at one another with the cameras rolling
KP-agree with your assessment…self-awareness is a lost art, especially in the sporting world, where athletes tend to surround themselves with fluffers and yes men and management types, more often than not, discourage or admonish those who offer up a glimpse behind the curtain…funny enough, Kul, along with Maddison, contributed greatly to the whole less disciplined/mature narrative with their sloppy play and poor decision-making…so although I agree with his sentiments, he appears a bit too eager to point fingers when, in fact, he should be looking squarely in the mirror…no one can question his efforts, as he usually leaves it all on the pitch, but he’s simply not good enough to have the ball at his feet as often as he does…tbh he would be a great cover piece for Saka
Guys, I don’t think introspection is a word commonly used in the Arsenal dressing room. Insightful is probably another rarely uttered unless it’s by our free kick specialist who has covered himself in glory this season by being brilliantly insightful.
I heard he wants to manage, too.
Merson made some interesting comments regarding our present predicament, should we win our final 3 fixtures yet still come up short…as he suggests, sometimes it’s all about timing, like when Pool finished with 97 and 92 points, which is the maximum tally we would achieve if we won out, yet still finished 2nd best to the supposed juggernaut that is City…in some respects, I agree with his premise, as there have been times when some don’t receive their flowers simply because they were born into the wrong age, like heavyweights during Tyson’s reign or 100 metre sprinters in their prime during Bolt’s period of utter dominance, but let’s not fforget that Pep’s City has only won the CL once, which means that every year, minus one, they were eliminated…as such, they certainly aren’t unbeatable, so maybe instead of leaning into this low hanging fruit excuse narrative, we should have tried to model ourselves after those squads who have found a way to get positive results against Pep, instead of trying to become a poor man’s version
I still believe this race is far from settled and we can still end up in the catbird seat, but that won’t change the fact that no one, except those within our fanbase, will truly believe we’re the better team…if we really want to change our post-move narrative we need to set our sights even higher, so that this sort of asterisk designation will never be part of the conversation…for example, in my earlier paragraph I spoke about Pool falling short even when they amassed 92 and 97 points respectively, on either occasion, if they had won the day, no one would have questioned the validity of their title runs, as the margins were so very thin, whereas ours would feel decidely different…this isn’t meant to besmirch our potential accomplishments, as a win is a win is a win, but once again there’s levels to this shit
Trvl
Moaning again. Your premise seems to be, because some people beat ManC occasionally we should win the league. So simplistic. As per.
We just banged up Spuds at the Lane. Give it rest man. If we don’t win the league this season, and I suspect you’d prefer that outcome, we’ll have come second to ManC two seasons running. You don’t get the levels to this shit because you’re still upset about Emi Martinez and Pedro binning you.
So fucking repetitive.
Aitch or AItcho or Fuckstick, it’s clear by your response that you still suffer from some sort of nuance-related malady…so whereas I’m elated that you continue to provide ample evidence regarding your simian-like existence, it does pain me to have to constantly engage in what any sensible neutral observer could only deem as an unfair fight…if in the future you want to debate on these or other matters, please give me a heads up so that I have an appropriate amount of time to even the playing field, so to speak, by ingesting insane amounts of fentanyl then beating myself about the head with a commercial grade mallet or gavel for a period of no less than an hour…have a good one little guy
Trvl
Ssshhh…. too many words to tell me you’re suffering from delusions of being right about something football related. I’ve yet to see it with my own eyes. I don’t know how anyone would fall for you LARPing as a coach, you don’t sound you’ve even played the game.
You’ve spent the whole season being wrong and getting het up when it’s politely pointed out. I’ve been having fun.
Put on your fedora and go for a walk. It’s preferable to you coming on here bitching incessantly about Emi Martinez, why everyone else is wrong about Havertz, Arteta and Jorginho. That and your fantasies about why certain players are picked over others.
No, Partey wasn’t dropped for non footballing reasons, neither was ESR dropped over the Ozil affair you oddball. The reasons for team selections are right there in front of you on the pitch. Give you credit, you write serviceable fiction even if your football opinions are worthless.
Any regular fan would enjoy what we’re all seeing. You miss the derby because you can’t enjoy us winning.
Find a new angle, just being a plonker because you’re trying to save face isn’t making things better.
Stop being such a wally.
Club legend says he’s a big deal. Vera Lynn disagrees
I’m going to listen to club legend over some fantasist on a blog.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ian-wright-arsenal-havertz-neville-32332882
Club legend rates him. Vera still thinks we should have bought 100m flop Caicedo.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/he-gives-something-else-ian-28707192
Club legend rates him. Vera bitches because we got him instead of 80m flop Mudryk.
Only bitched because we didn’t get Mudryk. If we’d got Mudryk, pound to a penny he’d be bitching we spent too much and should have bought Trossard.
Always moaning.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/ian-wright-arsenal-transfer-mudryk-26456364
amateur hour cut and paste exercise by a confused beta who would much rather troll others than deal with his own shortcomings…now this might seem like a plausible diversionary tactic, but ultimately there will be a price to be paid for your seemingly constant desire to ignore the obvious, that you’re a delusional lightweight who can’t stand the fact that others get it and you don’t…in an attempt to save you a considerable amount of unnecessary grief, I beg you to come to terms with your lot in life and try to move forward as best you can…I would suggest you take a break from social media, grab your most comforting helmet and stick to those things that provide you the most solace, like basket weaving and rubber cement glue…btw half the things you’ve attributed to me were actually the words of others who likewise frequent this site, so maybe you should replace those rose-tinted blinders with some prescription specs
Pedro migrated the Le-Grove.co.uk to a substack version plus to get a paid for option. Le-Grove as we knew it is gone, good riddance of it.
Vera, no need to distract us with your waffle and wailing. Understandably, they don’t contain a single defence of your dozy opinions.
You can appeal to the crowd here like a 9 year old. “They said it too” whoever ‘they’ might be is a cheap defence for your consistently rubbish opinions. But shows me you know how weak they are.
Have the backbone to own your trash views and the common sense to recognise people who know a bit more than football than you recognise your trashy views don’t come from any rational football analysis.
If you wanted this blog to be a safe space for your nonsense, I’m going to have to disappoint you.
Try enjoying the good times. And maybe smiling. Plonker.
Le Grove n’existe plus!
Long live LiR.
Ambarish – you’ve comfortably outlived the Arteta-luvvin bullshitter and his know-nothing mates.
To plagiarise the Hibees supporting Proclaimers and their lovely song ‘letter to America’
Nigel no more
Positive no more
Rich no more
AFCF no more
Serge no more
Chrispy no more
Apologists no more
Pedro………. NO MORE!
Greedy fake Gooner twat!
Letter ‘from’ America. Always struggled with my prepositions!
https://youtu.be/yy9GmieAEaQ?si=SvKMuIE5_o2n2Fxz
Enjoy Tony. This’ll instantly take you back to your homeland. I fucking live these two. Really sound blokes.
Le Grove had it’s place. Like most media it’s had to evolve and move with the times AFTV is on TT, IG as well as its original YT channel. Arseblog works hard at his podcast. Pedro has been building his, not for me. A standalone blog gets less reach. If wants to make money he has to keep up, he knows the market
Pedro was a bit of a cock, with his self indulgent, coke-y vibes. He got worse and a lot more defensive when Arteta was serving up shit and he felt contractually bound to defend it. The same way he backed Gazidis when he was mugging us off. That’s what got me banned, stating the evidence of our own eyes. The mantra of ‘you can see what he’s trying to do” was sleight of hand when we could see what he actually was doing.
But as a blog, broad base, a range of views, until late stage. And as Arteta got better, made less mistakes, improved, Le Grove actually became less annoying.
Credit to Pedro for sticking at the blog. As 7am drops out along with many others, whether it started as a forward thinking vehicle for self promotion or he actually meant half the crazy stuff he came our with, it was generally fun.
I still check in, I like a range of views. I don’t think I’ll be paying.
MESSAGE FROM UNAI EMERY TO PISS POOR PROPAGANDIST PEDRO
Good Evening (my English has improved since I moved to Birmingham (Ed – yeah I know) , how’s your Spanish you catweasel-faced dunce?
At Villareal and at Villa (without the Real) I gave your Spanish paramour some proper football lessons. 6 points this season alone! Knocking you out of the Europa was even sweeter with a team budget comparable to that of Leyton Orient.
Le Grove es muerto y tu lo mataste cabron. Gracias a dios por London is Red!
https://youtu.be/Js6hrCa_vJk?si=Z8-ZGCj98TpkaKru
Pedro is deported back to the 1970s, to a world with no Arteta and no digital media.
Hi Aitcho
A much more erudite analysis of his many failings than I could muster. Thanks. This.
Pedro was a bit of a cock, with his self indulgent, coke-y vibes.
A classic case (ho ho) of hubris followed by nemesis.
I wonder if Pedro backed off of Le Grove when he realised more of the posters were his alter ego’s than actual people.
Marc—SPOT ON!! he had more aliases than a drug dealer has burner phones
on a side note—there will be some spouting nonsense about Gazidis, but it’s important to keep in mind a couple things:
(1) if he was Kroenke’s stooly and we were under the impression that our absentee landlord was dead set against spending, why was Gazidis letting everyone know that we were flush with cash…in the end, it was pretty obvious that our frugal approach was the brainchild of one Mr.Wenger, who despised the new divaesque crop of players and who would much rather look like a genius by taking no names and leftovers to the promised land
(2 ) just look what Gazidis did at Milan…AC had largely become an afterthought both domestically and across Europe then Gazidis arrived and completely resurrected their brand…not only did he inherit a terrible mess, financically-speaking, as they were in debt to the tune of 164M euros, they hadn’t even qualified for the CL since 2013-14…by Decemeber 2020, as Arsenal was hovering above the Premier League’s relegation zone, Milan was first in Serie A and eyeing an end to its 10-year title drought…and unlike MA, who cocked things up post-Xmas on two occasions already, Milan won the Serie A, to end Juve’s decade long dominance
Vinicius Jnr 2 – Saka 3?????
I returned today from a short trip to Seville and Granada. For the past – so many years I cannot remember – to see Arsenal shirt on a person abroad had become a non entity. Strolling around the Alcazar I spied a Spaniard?with a number 7 shirt, Saka emblazoned across the back. Hours later at The Palace de Espana a beautiful Flamenco dancer was busking – in the crowd another Saka shirt. A couple of days later wandering around the Alhambra another Saka shirt. During the next few days I spied a couple of Vinicius Jnr shirts and in Seville no Seville or Real Betis shirts – they are worn on match days only ( so I am reliably informed).
My visits to Europe in the past were often filled with noting the shirts worn by Barca & RM supporters unless in Italy where the local teams were supported (unless they were in Naples).
Saka is a real star – lets hope we keep him
Aitcho – I havent read all of the posts in the past 6 days but I did catch yours about Havertz scoring more goals in open play than Palmer. Palmer is currently sidelined and does not receive the service from such technicians as Saka, Trossard, Rice & Odegaard. What would he achieve if they were the source of supply?
I am glad that Havertz is contributing towards our endeavors in securing a premiership title win but I still see a frailty in his play. But hey what do I know – I once supplied several passes to a 38 year old Jimmy Greaves who put away 6 goals in the first half of a game – and he was under the influence at the time
TRVL
I was obviously typing my post and missed yours about Ivan G. Years ago my secretary joined the employ of Alan Sugar at the mighty Spurs as his PA. Sugar left Spurs and she hopped across London as the PA for ?????
You can guess the rest. Ivan G despite being a snake oil salesman was actually a nice guy caught up with trying to deal with a person (Wenger) who had a charmed life at AFC because Stan had the wool pulled over his eyes. IG was the person who signed Ozil – a long story.