If you read the scoreline, 3-1 against Manchester United sounds pretty impressive, even at home. If you have watched the game, you would notice we are still in the chaos mode; but positives first.
We beat ’em. We got the three points against a top 4 team and the game was as exciting as it can get. For some reason, coming from behind after Rashford scored the first feels like a much needed confidence booster after Fulham’s result. Havertz missed an easy one in the 14th minute when the ball landed on his feet somehow, and he mis-shot it. It was him again when he played a sloppy pass to Eriksen in the 27th minute, who passed it brilliantly to Rashford. Rashford never fails to score against Arsenal, does he? We reacted this time. It took only a couple of minutes for us to level the score. Eddie picked up the ball, passed it to Martinelli and the Brazillian found Odegaard on the edge of the box. Two link ups between Eddie and Martinelli, and the other one should have been a goal too. I see a chemistry building up finally at the left side, but it requires Eddie to move from his goal scoring positions. I think Havertz has been tasked to finish it but we would need better precision and output from him.
In the second half, there were few exciting moments. Ramsdale and Gabriel denied Martial a goal, we got a penalty that was overturned. We made some changes – Jesus in place of Eddie, Tomiyasu for Zinchenko and Vieira for Havertz. Saka missed one, which should have been a goal again, Garnacho scored in 88th which was ruled offside and Nelson comes in place of Martinelli before extra added minutes.
The last 10 minutes were a mix of joy and chaos for us Gooners. Rice, in the United penalty box, takes a corner ball on his chest, and does a volley. It takes a slight touch from one of the United players and lands into the net. It was a crazy scene, first goal for our future midfielder, 2-1 against United with only 2 minutes left on the clock. The celebration spoke of madness. It wasn’t the end though, a Vieira pass led to Jesus run and that slide from Dalot wasn’t enough to hold him. Game ended with 3-1. Brilliant result, some good performances from Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli. Chemistry between Martinelli and Eddie has improved, and our captain scored one again. That goal at the end will provide Jesus some confidence and Vieira was on the assist sheet again.
Concerns?
Our finishing. You can’t miss two easy goals (Havertz and Saka) against a top 4 team and expect to win. We did win, but the game could have ended with a completely different score. Most of the time, we are responsible for our losses. This could have been another one such game.
Havertz will take time. He hasn’t been convincing in his first 4 games for us, but Vieira has. Even with the performances from the bench. Concerning thing is that, Mikel is going to stick to Kai and not use Vieira who looks much more confident this season. I will Kai doesn’t take 3 seasons like he did at Chelsea, to get into his pre-Chelsea form.
We are in much better control with a proper back 4 and Saliba + Gabriel partnership. I hope Mikel doesn’t go back to Partey at RB once he is back. We got Rice to rotate with him in the middle, so that he is fully fit for the games that matters most, and there will be plenty this season. We didn’t bring Rice so that we can move Partey to RB.
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Not trying to be a spoil sports, but there is a lot of improvement needed, and unlike last season’s winning run when you could hardly find a thing we did wrong, we have been very much chaotic and nervous in our first four games. We will only improve from here.
Cheers.
Morning rant.
Another Saturday, no top flight football.
Pointless Internationals lined up now in Sept, Oct and November.
So Spain can smash little Georgia 7 – 1 whoopee.
Bunch of greedy cunts.
Rant over.
Art
Ranting is what weekends are made for. Oh, and weekdays of course.
I’m off in a hour to see Haverfordwest County at home to Newtown. A mere 6 mile drive. I’ll probably squeeze some ranting in there because the refs are as bad as the pgmol ones.
Art
A company I used to work for had 8 club level tickets (2 blocks of 4) at Wembley (covered England matches, FA Cup semi’s and Final) and we’d take clients. As the guy who covered the S/E I got stuck with the majority of them – it scarred me for life.
I can’t watch International football anymore unless its at an actual tournament.
Marc
If the cunts keep turning up and paying for utter dross, the greedy federations will keep churning up dross every month.
Sept, Oct and now November! 6 poxy games.
Greedy no good cunts , I bet you got well sozzled being forced to watch this cunt Southgates side?
He is almost a bigger drip than Arteta.
Art
The worst part is it was on expenses but most of the matches were week nights so I’d get home at gone midnight and still have work the next day.
The first half or so of my time there it wasn’t an issue as your were left to get on with things – get results and we don’t care how you go about it (within reason) then there was a change in management and it went tits up at a rate that makes Arteta look vaguely competent!
I tend to think the most ardent followers of Ingerland are largely fans of shit teams. You see no end of Ingerland flags bearing the names of clubs like Stoke, Blackburn, Southampton.. Oh and Tottenham of course! They think they’ll be able to bask in the glory of Ingerland trophies because their own clubs never win anything. But Ingerland’s modern trophy room has something in common with their club’s – it’s fucking empty.
Marc – your Wembley duty sounds utterly execrable. I did a similar thing in Argentina for any official visitors for 3 years. I once took a group of senior coppers to see Boca Juniors at the Bombonera. I lied and told them it was standing room only. They were shitting themselves as I told them about the anti-english songs being sung. This vast three story dodgy concrete terrace (we were at the top) vibrating as the fans jumped up and down. Some were getting a bit twitchy too when the Boca fans started smoking dope at half time.
There were better times – sitting in the owners box at the same stadium with free booze and canapรฉs in the company of Bobby Charlton and members of the 66 Argentine team.
https://images.app.goo.gl/LVXY9JVPvnjvv4Nq6
We were standing somewhere near the ‘C’ where it says ‘Boca’ on that upper stand. Good – if slightly scary – times.
Southgate’s preferred tactics are a little too similar to the oft-times paint-drying predilictions of a little Spanish fellow we all know and loath…the only difference is the overlapping runs of Walker, but it appears as if Saka is so unfamiliar with such a logical tactical pursuit that he rarely, if ever, rewards him for his efforts…Saka did have a well-struck shot on goal that ultimately hit the bar, after an outstanding fingertip save by the Keeper, but otherwise it was a rather listless effort from the away side…like most on here I rather despise the whole international break gig, especially at this early juncture in the season…the only saving grace is that I participate in a shitload of NFL fantasy leagues, along with an unhealthy amount of more traditional gambling, so this break does allow me to get my proverbial shit together, as the season started on Thursday
loathe
Ready to watch Los Pumas beat the crap out of the Lions. The Argentinian Rugby shirts both home and away kit are to die for. Voted top and third best rugby shirts of the WC, for me a must have since none of my dosh is going anywhere near AFC as long as Mactits is having anything to do with the club.
Killroy
Watching the first half and genuinely puzzled why the England player was even sinbinned and the Argie escaped a red. I can see why the game is fucked and it’s difficult to care. It’s becoming a cunt’s game.
KP
Agree I was puzzled also never a red card for me. I do like a few of the Puma players and it looks like an exciting 2nd half.
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Watching the match on rugbypass.tv with a VPN connected to Greece, result an excellent display as well connection and all for free.
The Pumas just can’t hang on to the fucking ball one knock on after another really infuriating.
The Argies can’t catch a fucking ball put up into the air so infuriating that the game is terrible and England can’t score a fucking try, this game is so far the worst I have seen.
Killroy
Agreed on the quality of the game, but it’s something special when 14 beat 15 players. That England performance came from nowhere didn’t it?
Should be some good games tomorrow.
No doubt England fully deserved to win this game, I just expected a much better match since Los Pumas were ranked 6th and England 8th. Therefore I considered this a disappointing way to spend my Saturday time. Nevertheless I expect both England and Argentina to progress into the knock out stages.
KP/Killroy
Reading the reviews of the game they are bestowing a ‘Masterclass’ 27 points Ford deliverance. I thought it strange as Ford is decent enough, but it seems The Pumas’s handling was at odds with their generally expansive game.
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Thanks Killroy we don’t need the VPN as the WC is not shown here, so we’ll watch the Scotland v SA game this evening at 10pm our time. Should be a corker and I hope ma land of ma birth’s team run the Springboks ragged.
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I canna see it, though.
Hi Tony
It was a remarkable unpredictable game. Ford’s kicking was spot on – if you can check the drop goal he popped over (under some pressure) from the halfway line. Argentina were as bad as Ford and others were good.
Neither team will win the WC, but England redeemed themselves a bit after looking terrible over the summer.
Scotland COULD do something similar today… I expect to hear that the ‘Tony Tartan’ kilt will be out of mothballs later if they do it. ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
I just read Havertz had another storming game for Germany in their latest 1-4 home defeat against Japan.
Booed and subbed as normal.
He is a cunt of a player and so is the ‘ manager’ who paid ยฃ65 million for him.
Pair of no good cunts perfect for each other.
Rant over.
Kroenkephobe
๐๐๐
Your A- le full of Southampton shit is in compatible company and basking in son-in- law comparison. It is interesting and encouraging because the son-in- law is of Pakistani parentage. ๐