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!
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.