Things have been going pretty well for us this transfer window. We have managed to sign Declan Rice, a right profile 24-year old with loads of experience and hungry to achieve more. I don’t know if Rice would be able to fix the problem Thomas had last season, but we have tried to address it. We have got Timber, which allows us the flexibility to use White as CB if and when needed. Last season, we ran out of ideas and bodies when both Tomiyasu and Saliba were out, injured. We had to play Holding because White couldn’t be shifted to CB, and Kiwior is still raw to adapt to the style of play Arsenal does. We have also addressed Xhaka’s immobility with Kai Havertz. Despite his Chelsea’s performances, I am hopeful on this. Kai will prove to be a much better player for us, and will certainly have more runs in him than Xhaka.
We have stop gaps in other places, Tierney is a very decent defender if Zinchenko get injured (again), Nelson/Jesus can cover for Saka at RW, Trossard provides a cover for Martinelli and can play up top too. We have ESR in the mix this season, who can cover for Odegaard. We have a solid, young team who just finished 2nd and is going to fight till death to improve it. They are going to play at the grandest of the stages in Champions League and I’m sure players who fought to get the #10 and #7 shirts at Arsenal would want to prove they deserved it.
So, what is this reality check?
First, we are playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Second, last season was a transitional/poor season for most of the top 6 and they are aggressively fixing their problems. Third, it’s not a one-game-a-week for us and Mikel is not very good at rotation I’m afraid. Lets get into the details.
First point is evident. It doesn’t matter if you are Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenals of the world, you are not guaranteed to win against the likes of Brentford, Brighton or Wolves. Even a newly promoted side like Forests can restrict City to share points. We didn’t make it last season not because we lost to Man City or Liverpool, but because Everton beat us, Brentford restricted us to a draw at home and we couldn’t get past the Southampton defence twice. There’s no guarantee in March 2024 that a team which sits on top can easily beat a team fighting for relegation. This is what makes Premier League exciting and is something you can’t do much about, than to concentrate on your game and improve as much.
Second point is concerning.
- Liverpool – Last season Liverpool fell of the cliff after Mane left. They had a very old and tired midfield too. They have let go Firmino, Milner, Keita and Chamberlain while strengthening their midfield by getting deals done for Szoboszlai and Mac Allister. Again, the same philosophy as ours, bring in young legs but experienced. I’m sure Klopp would be serious to get back into the mix after having missed the Champions League spot.
- Man City – Well, Man City have only brought in Kovacic as of now and half of their title winning team is off to Saudi. That’s a good news till you check that Pep is still there and he can build a team from scratch whenever he wants. All the money that is coming in, he will use it to fix what’s getting broken. They have unlimited money and one of the best managers in the world.
- Chelsea – The best transfer for Chelsea has been their manager. They have brought in Pochetino, who is great in building a solid team playing a definitive football. All the talents in the world and they were poor because there wasn’t anyone to manage them. Now, they have one and they have let go of the players that weren’t performing in their system. Mason Mount, Havertz Pulisic, Koulibaly, Kovacic, Mendy are all gone and it’s the last transfer window that will help them. The likes of Mudryk from last season are going to improve, and there recruitment is still going on. I personally think they will be the ones to watch out for, and are going to make life tough for everyone around.
- Man United – Well, Ten Hag is doing what Arteta has done at Arsenal. He is another non-emotional manager, has let go of De Gea and replaced him with Onana. Maguire has already been stripped of captaincy and he has brought in Mason Mount from Chelsea to strengthen his midfield. United are in Champions League, they have added motivation to invest and ETH is a very capable manager in building a team which can fight. They are going to be a pain in the arse, as always for us Arsenal.
- Newcastle United – They are the new addition in top 6. David Howe has gotten them the Champions League spot, after bringing the likes of Guimaraes. They are yet again in the market trying to improve on their 4th place finish, and has already brought in Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. Another oil money club to fight against, with virtually unlimited money and a manager who has done pretty well after taking over a relegation fighting Newcastle a year and half back.
- Tottenham – Well, they are going to be sh*t always, so nothing to worry about them.
It’s not going to be easier this season, that’s for sure.
Coming to the last point – we are all aware of Arteta’s stubbornness in playing a fixed starting XI, with last 10 minutes subs. It has it’s Pros and Cons. When these players play together regularly, they develop a chemistry and understanding about each other’s game. Also, a winning team is very high in confidence and any changes to it likely causes a small disruption. However, not all players are built like Saka or White, and playing them week-in, week-out can cause them fatigue and injuries. We have seen Partey broken, we have seen Saka not playing to his best, and we have also seen what happens when a player not rotated enough comes back in the fold when one of such cases happens (with Holding).
I’m in the favor of sticking to a playing XI but not that rigidly. It’s as simple as subbing out Saka a little bit earlier if we are 2-0 up against Forest. Showing a little bit of confidence for the bench players against the bottom half teams can keep these players fresh for the important games.
This season is going to test Arteta on his rotational skill. We are going to play twice a week and it’s not like no one would care this time. He will have to manage players in a way that they do not get injured, do not get stale, do not feel dejected; all while keeping them motivated for every minute they play.
As I said the last time, it’s going to be a tough season for the Manager, having to manage the team in two important competitions while improving on the last season’s performance; players after staying on top of the table for around 30 weeks and not winning; fans because we have seen improvement and the frustration and anger has changed to hope.
Right, see you in the comments.
Not sure about it too but if we win the league it’ll be iconic like the famous bruised banana strip! Should be able to spot a teammate though, psychadelic zebra!
Bob
I liked the bruised banana kit – it was different this just looks odd but as you say no one would care if we did something major in it.
Tony, I’m not sure London is getting more dangerous or if its just perception driven by media and a device to increase both police powers and powers of the Courts.
In 1970 there were 105 murders in London, in 2022, 109. In real terms, London was probably safer per capita than 50 years ago.
Sometimes we’re more influenced by anecdotes and shock stories than the data
Bob
“Should be able to spot a teammate though, psychadelic zebra!”
For someone not under the influence of alcohol or other perception changing substance may find it lot more confusing.
Aitcho
Interesting fact, but knife crime was rare in the 70s as were drug gangs. It’s aways safe until it happens to you and whether you’re equipped to handle it. Then muggings again rare in the 70s. London murders maybe similar to today, but the streets are a lot less safe than they were in the 70s. The problem is it’s only going to get worse with the migrants extending poverty through the country creating more crime.
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It’s not all trouble free here. Certain streets pay for police to come round and clock in several times a day. Bigger houses and factories have their own 24/7 security.
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Nowhere is safe but I wouldn’t let Junior go to uni in England. Edinburgh uni I’d be happy for him to go. More likely he’ll go to Vancouver as it’s safer than LA and there are many recording studios he can go to find work at weekends.
Market Road (always an Aussie or Kiwi hippy outside trying to sell a VW dormobile) just up the road from the Gin Palace and not too far from Shillibeers. I used to play there with my old (politically) right wing friend Keir Starmer (who was a short arsed midfield terrier) in the 90s. Holland Park, Wormwood Scrubs, Battersea Park and the Marshes plus numerous games in Hoxton, Homerton, Shoreditch and the Western side of Hackney. I once tried playing at about 11am on a Sunday after having popped a final E for the night at about 4am. All I can remember is trying to head everything that came into the box. The result? Massive fucking head and neck ache!
Tony – that BSA is beautiful. It sounds as if you ploughed your own furrow in the 70s/80s cult wars.
The streets in the UK are probably safer for South Asian migrants now than the 70s. So there’s that.
Perception is important. Mugging happened in the 70s, its why there have been laws against it since before the mass migration of the 50s and 60s.
As important is how a country manages migration. Qatar does it very well, it doesn’t increase poverty, Japan does it very well, it doesn’t increase poverty. Its almost as if us in majority white countries have difficulty with migrants.
The trope of migrants being workshy scroungers is just that. Most people emigrate, migrate to improve their prospects financially or improve their quality, or just chances, of living. It’s the same for Brit expats in Dubai as it is for Somali taxi drivers in Shepherds Bush.
Nobody travels thousands of miles for a council house and £75/wk universal credit. Imagine showing the rellies back home if you’d ended up in an South East Asian slum. Reverse that for any migrant who comes to the UK from that part of the world. They don’t come here to be poor or increase poverty and crime.
The ‘problem’ which we’ve established is only one of perception isn’t getting worse and I’m tired of expats, ie white economic migrants who haven’t lived here for years carping on about how bad the UK is ‘getting’ when it’s still still global destination and one of the best countries in the world to live. It’s like the Brexit ranters losing their mind over there not being any white nurses or not hearing English on the high St like it’s some cause for alarm.
And I’m tired of this veneration of old gangsters like the East End was some peaceful independent state. People who lived there lived in fear in the Kray era, they weren’t Robin Hoods and very often robbed from ‘their own’. Yes you could leave your back door open, there was nothing to nick from worming class houses in them days, but you couldn’t run an honest business without the risk of the Krays extorting money from you.
If our country is getting worse it’s due to the muppets who have been in charge not a few brown faces.
On current the most current international stats, which I recognise aren’t your feelings, Canada has a higher murder rate per capita than the UK. Tell the boy to come to London and enjoy living in one of the world’s best cities.
Ambarish
Just out of nosey interest, are you planning anything special to market LiR in various parts of the world before the season starts? Is there anything we can do to support it? Maybe you could reach out to AFTV for example to see if they’d give you a ‘shout-out’ as an India-based site for Gooners?
I’d be happy to contribute some old shirts /memorabilia if you wanted to run a competition.
More fans from diverse backgrounds (female and male) would be a brilliant addition to us old farts. We’re all cynical about the club to a fault (except Bob!) but I reckon we’d give a warm and inclusive welcome to any new posters.
Tony
One of the problems with crime today is perception – with a 24 hour news cycle things get reported to death and hyped to a crazy level. Is it more dangerous or are we just all scared into believing it is?
Aitcho/Marc
That’s fair in what you both say. I lived in and out of the area as my mates were from there. Their dad’s worked for…… so as youngsters we never felt fear going out. The hospital was close to the Blind Beggar, so great area to chat up nurses after their shifts then take them on for a ruby murry in the early 70s.
The new kit does leave one with few words. Truth be I don’t much care about shirts so they could play in mankinis as long as they are winning trophies.
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Junior just said great idea the defenders will be stuffed at corners as whats can they grab? Got to to be loads of penalty shouts.
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Looking at the women’s team they should stay in normal kits.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/arsenal-release-new-202324-mens-away-kit
Have to say I like the video!
“Mikel Arteta didn’t speak to William Saliba for a week in ‘cold shoulder’ approach”
Bob
You wonder why I don’t like Arteta try reading the above article.
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The kid had just lost his parents and Arteta wanted to see if he had character? Please don’t try to put a spin on this, Bob. You’ll make yourself look worse than Arteta.
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What an absolute cunt Arteta is.
I’ve aways seen strength in Saliba, never weakness. Youthfulness, sure, he’s what 19 then?
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Saliba has said today he wants to be the best in the world; I don’t think he’s far off it and it’s why we paid £30m+ for Saliba. Arteta didn’t want him because he didn’t sign Saliba. Arteta did everything to get rid of Saliba at the time including deriding him.
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Shows that Saliba has more maturity and inner strength than Arteta will ever have.
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The point I was making about Havertz being the top earner with us and Rice earning less was purely down to: we know what we get with Rice. With Havertz we don’t have a clue. His stats are poor in the PL and his first run out was underwhelming the label he made his own at The Chavs and I guarantee Rice’s first outing will be raved about because he’s a far better all round player, in a more key position and likely captain.
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Something that junior pointed out the other week and said to me, “Bob does like his nuances where he never really addresses the point; he sorts of skirts round it”. At first I was impressed with his English. Then I said how very observant of you.
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We all say it, Bob. Last person was Marc. It’s not a problem for me or the others per se here, but you can’t claim to have impartiality if you don’t address the topic fully. To chip around the edges to find something to spin with does not match your real intelligence; it devalues it.
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We’re all family here even if you are the black sheep 🙂 As Gooners we all live as one and then emotions gets the better of us and things get disjointed for a while while we lick our surface wounds and become one again- wash, rinse & repeat.
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The essence of this is I still think Arteta the man (I use term very loosely) is a 24 carat cnut!!!!! The football manager? We are still waiting to find out after nearly 4 years, aren’t we?
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Arteta will never change the weak man he is inside in dealing with people. The problem is this inherent weakness that leads the bully in Arteta also permeates into his football tactics, which is why we haven’t won anything yet.
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Ten Hag who I wanted instead of Arteta is well documented from 2 seasons ago. Also a ruthless manager. He has the same challenges as Arteta had joining Manure and yet he managed 3rd and a cup in his first season. Thankfully, Ten Hag has to fight the Glaziers, so it’s unlikely he’ll start this season the way he will have wanted to.
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Hate to say it I will be very surprised if Pochetino doesn’t have his side purring by Xmas. Again, a far better manager than Arteta who would have been better for us, and his players highly respect him.
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Addressing your belief that Harvetz is going to be the LIR poster boy subject of hate and ridicule; well, if he merits it? Yes he will come under serious attack, and so will Arteta because then we’ll have our highest paid player turning out to be another Auba or Ozil or Willian even, who we can’t get rid of for 5 years. Sound about right?
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Unlike LG we tell it like it is here. Sadly, we are rarely wrong in our beliefs, as so many weren’t on LG before being binned for telling what turned out to be the truth. Pedro, is as weak as Arteta. It’s why he needs to be: Salnycparadise, Coneta, NT and a few others to boss and troll his blog. Stands to reason he’s been doing it from the start with Geoff I mean why would he start now with NT? Up to him if being a fraud is ok with him, and this is the way he has to control his blog. Still a few great posters there, Bob, you being one.
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It is what it is, Bob. We are all bored stupid waiting for the season to start, not to see Arteta fail, but where the process wheel stops next?
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In 25 days we’ll start to find out and ten weeks after be able to state our views on the season where hopefully we are top again. Without a 20+ goal a season striker we won’t be is my thinking so let’s hope I’m wrong.
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Europe is getting our summers; 45*C to 50*C are not unusual each year. Problem is Europe is not prepared for it. If it hits the UK, I hope you all invest fun A/C at least on one room.
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Clime change is very real!
*are not unusual for S E Asia each year*
climate*
Aitcho
I didn’t really have time to reply last night my time.
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I’m not saying the 70s was violence free, far from it. Nor were the villains of the time gentlemen. But, they are in isolation of a few gangs north and south of the river then up in Manchester. How many gangs today are extorting their own people? How many drug wars are there today compared to the 70s?
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You can find facts to support your argument, but again I have friends in Canada who give us the full story of what living in Canada is like.
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Aitcho, may I suggest you live in other countries before you just quote statistics. I base my UK opinions firmly on people who I respect their views who I have known for decades and still reside in various areas of the country. You, on the other hand have the Internet’s facts, but no personal data, just black and white facts.
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Your dislike of us who feel the UK is systematically falling apart is unsubstantiated by fact. You seem to think we are clueless expats. It is, if you open up your eyes to what’s really going on. It’s a fallacy if you think we expats aren’t in touch with friends and relatives still living in the UK. The Internet and press are the last areas we look.
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With friends from around the globe, we all talk and discuss world events as we see them happening in the affected countries. All of us would like to move or would have liked to move over the years, but to where exactly? Our moving would be more for a change of scenery than not liking where we resided. Itchy feet if you like.
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My wife is just back from 2 weeks in Europe on business and also assessing Europe as a whole and didn’t like what she found. Brexit has screwed the British chances of permanent residence in a warmer clime and healthier way of life. So, yes, the government you elected are useless and will increasingly be useless for you to live with.
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Do you not consider, Aitcho, that standards have declined so much over the last 50 years? Schools, Health care, homeless, crime and many more areas. Finances are running out and services levels are dropping. Migrants are getting 5* luxury while the homeless some from the armed forces get nothing and looked down upon.
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Yes, great city to send Junior to if he even wanted to go.
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You sound like you are wealthy and live above the poverty lines in middle class or higher. Therefore, you are not affected with day to day life worrying about inflation and paying the bills.
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On top of that London is one of the world’s terrorists’ top targets and continues to be with 39 foiled attempts reported recently.
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As a family we were looking forward to a life in France, but my wife and very successful friends have warned me off, as they were looking to France first as an expat residence.
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It’s a very sad world these days. Will Putin go rogue who knows? Before you start quoting countries stats go live in them first or at least have traveled to a certain country enough times to have spent moths there and then you will b e qualified to tell me different because, like me, you will have experienced it.
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Having lived in 5 countries and worked in many more, I have a good source of intelligence from around the world from people living there offering me local knowledge today and from the past.
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You, on the other hand, have the Internet and the press who never let the truth spoil a good story. You’ll find I’m a lot different from your average expat as are my circle of global friends.
You alright Tony? Seems like you got out of the bed on the wrong side?
I find it hard to ignore it when someone has an extremely forceful opinion that I don’t agree with. I don’t think Arteta is either a c*nt or a terrible man manager. Is he without fault, of course he isn’t!
Often in my responses I try to avoid stating categorically that someone is wrong, I put out an argument that hopefully gives someone their own opportunity to consider their position ( nuance if you prefer).
Better stop there.
Britain is different than the 70s, some changes are certainly for the better, some things less so. The idea that migrants are getting 5* luxury does sound like it’s come out of a Daily Mail, Express editorial mind you!
It would be interesting to hear KP’s & TRVL’s thoughts. KP has probably lived in twice as many countries as me and is currently in the fine Welsh valley’s coastal parts.
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TRVL being our resident Canadian can give us the real lived Canada thinking on this subject while the football is slow.
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Bob and I have touched on this before, so I know how he thinks the same as you, Aicho, considering London and the UK safe at least, and Bob has lived in less safe environs in Central America, so he does have a valid comparison of the country and culture.
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Have you lived outside the UK, Aitcho? Would help to know so as to see where you’re drawing you’re experience from outside of online?
“I don’t think Arteta is either a c*nt or a terrible man manager. Is he without fault, of course he isn’t!”
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Morning Bob, No, I got up in a decent frame of mind and I’m not forcing any view on you but Arteta’s treatment of Saliba was deplorable. I didn’t say what you thought other than to gloss over the situation saying Arteta is not without faults. Your Arteta thoughts are well known and dare I say it but sitting on the fence with “he’s not there yet” and “I’ve not fully bought into Arteta yet”.
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That’s fair to say, Bob, but I’m struggling with you thinking Saliba’s treatment is down to a fault. You appear to trivialize the situation when others are upset and triggered. Also, let’s not see this in isolation; ESR, Martinelli, Saka (played too much), Eddie, Bolagun and others no doubt. I’m the one saying Arteta is a Cnut! I’ve called out Arteta tactics since he’s been here and especially for the last 2 seasons. He was a poor manager or we would have been in the CL last season and won the title this season.
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You have a unique way of defending the indefensible by bypassing the main point and wrapping it conveniently such as in his faults. Faults to me is talking while eating, personal hygiene et al.
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NOT seeing if a 19 year old kid who’d just lost his parents and was in a new country if he would break. Arteta is a Cnut for doing that to Saliba and others.
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We are always going to butt heads at times, Bob. we often have opposing views when the shit is hitting the fan. I say we lost the title you say we did well coming 2nd. Can you imagine what that says to a serial winner who would throw a runner up medal away privately.
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I’d bet a pound to a penny with you that if we had Ten Hag instead of Arteta we’d never be opposing each other’s views. Ten Hag is tough and even ruthless, but he’s also very fair.
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It’s why so many of wanted him. Let’s see where Ten Hag is after 4 years and make a comparison. That is if the Glaziers ever decide to sell.
Telegraph not Daily Mail:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/04/albanian-migrants-among-dozens-refugees-housed-luxury-hotel/
What about the floating barge? Why couldn’t that house your homeless instead of migrants?
I’ll leave you to answer the last question, Bob. 🙂