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.
why would you ever have your arm up like that…he’s been a bit messy today…clear deflection was crucial
TRVL
We’ve looked nervous at the back all game – its Arteta sending bad vibes to what was the best defence in the country last season.
we should get a chance to equalize, especially considering Newcastle’s defensive subs
we should get a chance to get all 3—sorry about the fuck up
deft pass for Ode…Skelly wasn’t even looking to score
let’s make Pope pay for that nonsensical giveaway
We remembered how to take set pieces.
there we go…still too blunt instrument for my liking, but once Newcastle got conservative with their subs, we were always going to get some chances
😂modus operandi is Saliba pushes goalkeeper out as Big Gabs finds his way to head in the ball .
#COYG
Fuck them cunts.. don’t care about how we won… 3 very important points, we move forward.
A shit performance overall but I’m about to eat my ball bag on a bed of rice. Fucking hell.
Is it too early to send an apology letter to Merino?
KP
Only positive out of this game is Gyokeres. He is growing his presence, he will score ultimately.
KP – cream sauce?
No apologies necessary…what we’re seeing isn’t good enough if we actually covet major silverware
NORG
No. I’d stick to potato juice and claim I was lactose intolerant. Insane game. I want to think we deserved something out of it but up until Merino’s goal it looked exactly like nul points.
I cannot recall a recent game where anything remotely similar occurred.
Pope really fucked up in the last few minutes. Gabriel’s performance was truly bonkers.
Ambarish
I’m still out on VG. He didn’t cope at all with the physicality of the Geordie defenders and was fed a diet of really poor long balls for most of the game.
Good job Arteta is our manager and not you lot as his subs worked like dream
Man of the match was Pope the Newcastle keeper , a magnificent display of shot stopping.
1-5 to the Arsenal would have been a fair reflection of the game , anyone who would criticise a performance like that needs to give up watching the game.
2 points off the top , 2nd place is a superb position to be in after such a difficult run of fixtures, I would expect us to be top of the league in both the champions league and Premier league by the end of October and then watch us go with a full squad of players to choose from .
KP
“I’m still out on VG. He didn’t cope at all with the physicality of the Geordie defenders”
He needs to learn that in the premier league at grounds like old Trafford, anfield and St James park to use his brain(if he has one) and not get involved in the physical side as the refs are very lenient , surely Arteta would have a word with him and tell him to drop off a bit to give the defender a different problem, I think the time to judge gyokeres is after the next run of games (4 out of 5 at home) and if he doesn’t make an impression then Merino .maybe a better option as he does play with his brain .
Ambarish
“Only positive out of this game is Gyokeres. He is growing his presence, he will score ultimately.”
The only ppsitive , are you sure ?
20 shots at goal ….8 for Newcastle
7 shotsvon target …3 for Newcastle
64 % possession
As a comparison , Liverpool had only 5 shots away at St James park this season …..against 10 men