The only problem I had with Martin Zubimendi’s transfer was for the games like today. Newcastle will try to bully us again with their physicality, they will cheat, kick, slide tackle, punch, elbow you and the referees will look for that blonde girl in the stadium while it happens. We have seen Partey getting kicked, we have seen Jorginho getting elbowed, and we have seen Saka getting pushed. As much as I hate those cunts, they know we are a bit soft and they know the refs will turn a blind eye to that.
Will a midfield of Zubimendi, Merino and Rice match up to their physicality and assault? We will see.
Eddie Nketiah, the ex-arsenal who was wearing #14 later for us helped us last night by scoring a last minute goal against the luck-riding Liverpool. He scored a brilliant one, made sure the bin dippers lose the first 3 points of the season and gave us a chance to close the gap to just 2 points today. Whether we take this opportunity is an entirely different conversation because we have given up on the title 3 seasons now after getting such chances and not converting it. It’s too early for the title but three points are three points.
During my time in London, I visited a friend living in Newcastle near to the St. James’ Park. He offered me a stadium tour, I was hardly interested in visiting a club’s stadium that was mid-table at best so I declined. Since then, they had a ownership change, Eddie Howe have converted them into a serious team who are challenging everyone for European places and could beat any of top premier league teams on their day. Sure, they have lost Isak but that’s just one piece they have lost and we can’t take them lightly today, again.
In the team news, Madueke is unavailable because of his knee injury that has sidelined him for 2 months, but Odegaard could be back today. We have got Eze and Nwaneri that can do far better than Merino in an attacking role but Mikel is adamant that it’s either Ode or Merino – so I guess we would have to pray Ode’s shoulder heals itself completely. With Saka back in the XI, I hope we see a front 3 of him, Gyokeres and Martinelli today. If I was the one in charge, Eze makes it in the team behind Gyokeres while only one of the Zubimendi or Rice starts the game.
Personally, I would also allow the players to earn a yellow card each while handing them a piece of paper before the game that reads – Dee as ya telt. They would have the freedom to earn it as they want. If you are too nice and don’t have the heart to do it, you are getting replaced by Ben White, no matter where you play on the pitch.
In other news, William Saliba signed an improved contract that will keep him in London till 2030. Did you see his interview post signing it? In Paris, my mates were supporting Madrid and Barcelone while I am the real one supporting Arsenal – he said. A proppa one, we have and we have got his next and best 5 years with us. Hopefully he will win a lot of trophies with us and hopefully we break the drought this year with Champions League.
Right, that’s all for today. See you during the game.
Nice piece Ambarish.
I have some inside news on the line up today. Having lost his last 3 visits to Newcastle Arteta has decided to go with a 9 – 1 formation with Merino as the 1. Additionally any player who spends more than 15 seconds in the opposition half (excluding set pieces) will be fined 2 weeks wages.
The idea is get the ball and kick it at a Newcastle player hoping it goes out for a long throw or a corner – Arteta is expecting to emerge with a triumphant 1 nil achieved without a single shot on goal from open play.
Now tell me you wouldn’t pay to watch that?
Marc
We’d probably still lose heavily.
A cattenacchio catastrophe. Villa already a goal down to Fulham.
Kroenke
The wheels really have come off at Villa.
I wonder how long the Forest fans will put up with the fat Aussie Bastard.
Pre season I said that this season the league will be won with possible as few as 80 points due to the depth of the league. The results over the weekend with Liverpool, united and Chelsea all losing games they were expecting to win is a sign of how difficult the league will be this season.
Some were getting carried away with Liverpool winning their early games but history tells you that scoring late goals to win games will catch up with you in the end, if I was to put a similar analogy it would be a golfer having to hole 6-10ft putts early in his(or her) round to save par will never last.
Slot may have a selection headache as for me Ekitike is every bit as good as isak, liverpool’s defence will become more of an issue as the season goes on , kerkaz at left back is a liability and they will be praying that van djke stays fit until they can get defensive replacements in January.
Newcastle away has been probably our toughest test recently so a win in my eyes would be a bonus though we are meeting them at a time when their confidence is not great whilst still coming to terms with the loss of isak.
A good result today will set us up nicely in October as we have 4 out of 5 at home in all comps , Liverpool in comparison have 4 out of 5 away .
Marc—Unai got his wings clipped after pushing for the club to spend mightily in the January window, only to not win anything or qualify for the CL, which is why they were sellers not buyers in the offseason…they will struggle to be relevant this season…of course, I didn’t suspect they would be this dire early on
confirmed starting 11—Raya, Timber, Mosq, Gabs, Cala, Zubi, Rice, Eze, Tross, VG, Saka
probably shouldn’t have started Saliba versus a 3rd division side…at least Eze is being deployed as an AM instead of out wide
Wicksy
I know your latest message ended on a relative high, but overall it read as if you’re setting everyone up for another season of mediocrity in N5. I know other clubs have too, but Arsenal have spent a king’s ransom on players (as have Liverpool). If the scousers do hit the skids, we ought to win it by a mile.
In essence, we need to beat the Geordie maggots convincingly this afternoon. Arteta needs to get the boys on the front foot and produce some thrilling football, backed with energy, muscle and superior technique. I won’t be happy with a draw.
Marc
Postecoglu is already in shit street. Just goes to show…anyone can manage Celtic.
It’s doesn’t seem like 5 months ago he was winning a euro trophy with Spuds.
Wicksy
When you include ManU in the title fight you sound like Angela Rayner giving tax advice. They would have been in a relegation fight last season if it weren’t for some shockingly poor teams. They finished with 42 points – if you pro rata out their points so far over a season they’ll get 44, hardly pushing for the title.
Kroenke
I think its will be be gone by Easter or Christmas?
That was a booking.
Newcastle are trying to be aggressive, which is a good news for us. How was that a corner when that Newcastle player was offside and disturbing Timber in the box.
Penalty!
Def pen.
The problem isn’t VAR – its the fucking idiots running it.
Goalkeeper got the ball first and kicked it away before Gyokeres came tumbling after
Shocking.
that’s not a pen…Pope touches the ball after VG’s touch…not a reckless lunge…VG already flopping like Havertz
Hoopah
VG got a touch, the keeper touched it and took VG out.
If that were at the other end it would have been given.
release the tin foilers…don’t be caught wearing one my LIR brethren