Guess what? Partey pulled out of the game against Brazil due to a knock picked up during warm up.
It might not be serious and could just be a precautionary measure to safeguard himself but there has been a pattern since he has joined Arsenal in a 45 million transfer from Atletico Madrid.
If you compare his days at AM, he was injured only twice, missing 5 games in 15/16 and 1 game in 19/20. Since he has joined Arsenal, he has missed a total of 36 games in last 3 seasons (source).
This is very alarming. When you consider the fact we have Lokonga and Elneny as his covers, it is very alarming! His injuries affects our game play and results. Listen, if we had a proper cover and/or his competition, we could have managed him better by distributing his game time and giving him some more rest than usual. But if you are saying Lokonga is the one, you are fooling yourself.
There is a sharp drop in performance without Partey. Lokonga and Elneny can deliver a Partey-esque performance once in a while but it’s the consistency and his cool head that makes a difference to our game. His passing is brilliant, he is press resilient and he can take ball when surrounded by three players and still manage to hold on to it – no panic at all!
We are having a great season. If you are following London Is Red, you must be aware how excited I am with our performance and improvements compared to last season (and the season before). Arteta and team has managed to deliver consistent good football and results. WE ARE SITTING ON TOP OF TABLE, credit where it’s due.
However, to sustain it, we need Partey playing every game. The drop in performance when he is not around is noticeable and I think it’s the only position where we don’t have a back up whom we can rely on.
I will go ahead and say we shouldn’t be looking for a back up but a competition. Someone who can replace even a fully fit Partey. We have ourselves to blame though! It’s the one area we constantly neglect, there were not even rumours of us searching for a DM. The closes we were, was bringing Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa when Partey was injured just before the transfer deadline day, which Villa vetoed.
Luiz seemed like a good idea who would most certainly start ahead of Lokonga but that ship has sailed.
We have more than 3 months before January window, when we can think of bringing in some reinforcements. We hope Partey remains fit. Living on luck is not a good idea but we don’t have an option!
The Partey an international injuries issues are really annoying. Club football is FAR more important than the plethora if international games. The only club manager who ever stood up to national FAs was Fergus on and it did Manure plenty of favours. If fit, TP’s name is written into Ghana’s first XI in indelible ink. Tets and Edu must take a tougher line. It will be a fucking disaster for Tets’s future if we cannot shore up the centre of midfield. I hope Patino’s contract with Blackpool allows us to get him back early if necessary.
Great result for the women’s team today. At least we dominate that derby.
4-0..I missed the game but expecting a same result on the next NLD.
Pool and Chavs got DMs on the last day of the summer TW, Edu & Tets couldn’t be arsed as they were chasing wingers. If they don’t get cover in the Jan TW we will not make top 4 and they should be canned.
Well 2 questions firstly why is Partey picking up so many injuries now and secondly why didn’t dumb and dumber by 1 CM let alone the 2 we needed?
I’ve got a great idea for boosting our finances… Sell Turner and Trusty back to American ‘soccer’ (and for that matter any or all of our players) because the way the £ to dollar exchange rates are going in ingerland, they’ll still just about make a paper profit.
Ambarish – I’m going to be living on the streets soon mate thanks to the ideological bullshit spouted by our colonial leaders in Westminster. Independence for the saner, remaining parts of the UK can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, I may be asking YOU for a coffee…. or even just a cup of tepid water.
International futebol is sooo fucking dull… And it only yields worrying stories for us about injured players. And Wenger wants more of it!
Hi Ambarish
Here are my thoughts on Deepti-gate after seeing your views. I favour European teams over the other cricketing nations it must be said but if it had been ingerland, Scotland or Ireland mankadding their way to victory, I’d feel exactly the same.
-Deepti brought her bowling arm through much more slowly so as to catch Dean out of her crease.
-Dean was inches out of her crease rather than sprinting half way down the track.
-It was a shoddy and opportunist way to end the game in which India had done well to assert control.
– It will taint the memory of Jhulen’s last game and her legacy.
-A warning by Deepti to Dean would have been enough.
-If I’d paid 50 quid to see a game end in that way, I’d have been fucking furious as a supporter of either team.
-What’s the future for cricket as a sport if fielding teams see mankadding as legitimate a way of getting wickets as knocking over their middle stump?
– This has nothing to do with the ODI World Cup when Stokes was running towards his crease when the throw hit his bat.
-It diminishes the sporting ethos in women’s cricket.
-I watched the game on TV and felt sullied by the whole thing and concluded I’d wasted my afternoon. India won the series fair and square but this was a dead rubber in effect. Until then, it had been a happy affair rightly paying attention to Jhulen’s career.
-Indian cricket runs the risk of losing its moral superiority over other teams (Australia!) that deploy all sorts of nefarious tactics to win. Next time we hear about awful Australian sledging against India, it’ll provoke slightly less empathy.
-I don’t think this is a tactic among other Asian teams (although I stand to be corrected). It’s not a good look for a cricketing nation to be alone in using mankadding as a strategy.
A really fucking poor day for international women’s cricket. No one really won but India won the series.
KP
I think Cricket provides an unfair advantage to batters with all these rule changes. Do you know they have banned use of rubbing saliva on the ball which helps in swing? With t20, it’s been shifting in favor of batsmen these days.
If you are out couple of yards, its again gives you a benefit. You can convert a touch to a single and at that point in game every run was crucial. I think it was okay at the end minus the warning – she should have warned the batsman before outing her (similar to what Ashwin did some time back).
I don’t understand the need of international break when there is a world cup lined up in 2 months. Partey and KT picked up injuries, I hope they recover for NLD but that’s too much for a physical game like football.
Someone needs to control the amount of games these players are playing.
Marc
Apparently a winger was more important, hence we didn’t get a Partey’s competition.
Hi Ambarish
The white ball makes for a totally different game of cricket compared with using a red one. The white ball stops moving (if at all) after 2 or 3 overs. You’re right, the game is easier for batters these days but that advantage is for both teams. Rohit, KL Sharma and Hardik all make full use of it as do Smriti, Kaur and numerous England male and female batters. I don’t think that’s an excuse for Mankadding.
I was trying to think of an analogy with football. The best I can think of is if Fifa just did away with yellow cards and went straight to red ones. Deepti (who also batted terrifically well on the day) could have warned England (even though I think she contrived to make it happen), just like Ashwin did in a game a few years ago. It ruined the entire game, series and the spectacle.
Does anyone know TP’s condition right now? There was talk of it being a precautionary measure to withdraw him. At least Wenger would moan about it. The current crew appear totally supine.
Looks like there was a discussion between AFC and Ghana and it was decided that Partey’s return to London would be in beat interest for everyone. Seriously hope it was precautionary.
What’s the prediction for today’s game against Germany?
Ambarish
“Apparently a winger was more important, hence we didn’t get a Partey’s competition.”
Which again demonstrates just how incompetent Arteta is. We didn’t need 1 CM we needed 2, a replacement for Xhaka and then some back up. If Partey was out for any length of time having another top quality CM would mean we could cope, we’re again looking at a season depending on what happens with Partey and his record isn’t encouraging.
@KP
I feel your pain but very soon hopefully it will be just WEngland with the Scots getting independence and NI becoming part of Ireland.
Some Coffee shop owner put a sign outside with the US (Map) –> UK (Map) I am with stupid after the Brexit vote. Then after the 2016 US elections he changed the sign to “Every American has to be accompanied by an adult” the situation is dire on the islands.
Today hopefully the teams will kick about the ball for 90 minutes and then the Germans will win 😆
Ambarish
My prediction? Broken ankles for H Kane and Dire. Germany to win 2-nil
Hi Kilroy
It’s not yet at the same level, but it won’t be long before Wales also features in the conversation about independence.
Kroenke
I’m not going to start a political row but neither Wales or Scotland are financially viable as independent states – don’t get me wrong I’d love to see it happen it’ll save the English a fortune and they can’t join the EU which is always seen as the easy way out.
Hi Marc
Not sure I agree. Both have huge amounts of natural resources and strong economies relative to other similarly sized places. Plus any break up of the UK would surely see its existing assets and wealth divided up between England and the parts that left. They’d also probably rejoin the EU which would bring the kind of trading and tariff free benefits that the current government fucked away for insane ideological reasons. They wouldn’t leave without taking their fair share of what they helped to create. That would be daft. And in Ireland’s case, asuming it resulted in long overdue reunification, there’d be massive benefits.
Coming back to more mundane matters, this game looks like 2 sets of overpaid wankers who cannot pass to each other.
Maybe the woeful Nick Pope could try mankadding Havertz at the back post?
1st off the nuclear sub bases are in Scotland if IRC that should be a doozy.
The Nations League games are sooooooo boring doesn’t have my attention playing in a window in a corner. Best $2.50 per month I spent on a VPN. Watching this from the East coast on Channel 4.
Anyone knows who will broadcast the World Cup? Hate the US commentators and Fox is absolutely piss poor.
Kroenke
Both Scotland and Wales are massively subsidised by the English tax payer – Scotland by almost £9 billion and Wales £13 odd billion (that’s about a third of the UK defence budget). Split up assets what assets are movable?
They can’t join the EU because membership requires all existing members to agree and Spain would never allow that to happen. If a breakaway member of the UK can join so can Catalonia.
Marc
You break up a successful company between 4 partners everyone gets a share. Or some form of restitution. That’s a basic principle of fairness right? The burghers of ingerland may appear to be subsidising the others but it’s an illusion. That wealth has been created by people in all parts of the UK.
With right-wing idiots across Europe advocating advocating Italxit, Hungrexit etc. Brussels, and the big fish like Germany, France and even Spain need all the markets they can get for the shit they produce. Comparing the UK to Spain vis a vis independence is over-simplified. Ireland, Scotland and even Wales, we’re they to go independent would be resetting and leaving centuries old violent colonialism behind. In any case, what’s wrong with the will of the people? We’re still hanging onto democracy in this country despite 12 years of governments trying to ride roughshod over it. It’s an exciting time for people not living in the Tory heartlands…
I’m struggling to understand the general dissatisfaction with the international breaks. As the eyes of the world focus in on the Aviva stadium for the long anticipated rematch between the Republic of Ireland and Armenia in a do or die nations league group B1 match. The present and indeed the future of these glorious footballing nations will be pitted against each other to avoid relegation to the third tier of this new dynamic competition and we all know what that means( at least I hope someone does). The free flowing attacking grace of the Irish is matched in it’s attractiveness only by the stout hearted Armenian rearguard. A fascinating clash of styles awaits. Excited?? You better believe it!! Now, for a mere taste of your whiskey I’ll tell you the name of the drugs I’m on……
Kroenke
I’m all for independence (my choice would be English the other nations can do as they please) as I said it’ll save the English a fortune. There would be a divorce settlement of sorts but you seem to be missing the basic fact that the tax collection in the other members of the UK is massively below the Government spending in each area. Never heard of the Barnett formula?
If you think the English would continue to subsidise the other nations you’re bonkers mate.
Hi Marc
Yeah, Barnett went on to carve out quite the public service career for himself after his less than glorious performance for us in the 72 FA Cup final.
I think there’s a deep seated and unpleasantly jingoistic sentiment in England these days that means people continue to see that constituent part of the UK as the still point in a turning world. Thanks to Kamikwasi Kwarteng and his vile new boss, the sun will be setting even quicker on the English empire as it becomes an economic and political irrelevance.
Relocate across the Severn to Wales mate before they close the borders and impose a punitive visa regime!
I’ll have to tell you all some day about my friendship with Keir Starmer in the 90s and the numerous games we attended at Highbury and the scores of games we played in together all over London. That said Marc, you might soon have to sheepishly admit he’s going to be your new (right-wing) PM.
Almunia
3-2 right? I don’t suppose the Armenians wheeled Mkhitarian out did they? Did he ever make a serious go of playing again after he left his sabbatical at Arsenal?
How’s the current mood vis-a-vis Kenny? Still hanging on I assume.
It’s all been a tedious bag of shite. The real thing starts again at 12.30 on Saturday…
Kroenkephobe,
Last night was bordering on farcical. Armenia were beyond brutal yet we conceded twice in 3 mins and only won courtesy of an injury time var awarded pen. Kenny is undercserious pressure. Pity. I like him. He had to rebuild a new squad with very limited resources. Messrs Grealish and Rice didn’t help.
Saturday can’t come quick enough, I see us making a lightning start where much will depend on spuds ability to hold on in the first 20 mins. Win this one and the greatest advantage comes from the damage inflicted on them. Am very hopeful. You got the Brentford result spot on last time. I’m going 3 1 gunners. What says ‘krystalball kroenke’?
A comfortable-ish 2-nil. A brace for Jaysus. And a red card for a Spurs player. Romero or Dire.
I can also foresee some kind of handbaggy tettyconte type confrontation in which the manager with better hair but fewer trophies comes off worse. I’m meant to be going on a pro Welsh independence march in Cardiff (tickets available Marc if you don’t want to go to the game… ) so it may be a match of the day job.
Any news on which of the two types of ref it’ll be? i.e. a scouser or a manc.
Kroenke
Not sure an Englishman joining the protest with a banner saying “kick the Welsh out” will go down too well!
Marc
Ooh I don’t know… Its those kinds of attitudes that are the best advert for independence. Cameron, Farage, May, Bojo and now Truss have all done their bit to hasten and embolden independence movements. In that respect – and in that respect only – those cunts are worth their weight in gold.
You going on Saturday? Any thoughts on the likely outcome?
Yeah I’m there – no idea on the result. Conte’s a shrewd operator who’s capable of getting a result and I’m pretty sure they’d take a draw. It really does depend on who we have fit and available.
Bad news on ESR but hopefully it’ll mean he’s fit and in good condition for the 2nd half of the season.
Bacary is God. You’re a strange one. Either that or a sanctimonious, judgemental tosser like many of the wankers over there. And the sycophancy towards paranoidpedro brought a lump of sick to my throat. Get a room – one where you can sit together and eulogise our clueless manager. And while you’re also idolising plurality hating Pedro (who of course bans contributors who don’t share his Artetesian love-in philosophy), don’t forget also to say a kind word for his alter egos positive Pete, negative Nigel Tufnell and all the other cunts that inhabit Pedro’s head.
For fuck’s sake mate. Plastic fans like you can’t even recognise real gooners who, gulp, may not think the same way you do. Time for some BiG (geddit) boy trousers.
Hi Marc
Enjoy mate. I’ve got a good feeling about it. I used to get nervous going to NLD’s even during that time when we seldom lost, let alone drew.
Their game-changer is arguably their manager as you suggest, and he demonstrably has a winner’s temperament and determination. I also think lisping ‘arry and his teammates are genuinely afraid of him and his 12 speed Italian hairdryer.
That is, by contrast, our achilles heel. No matter how many ‘fockings’ and David Brent style platitudes he dishes out, that will never be one of Tets’s strengths. It’ll be good to get some of your thoughts afterwards if you get time.