Well, it’s the North London Derby time. One of the best teams in the world is going to get into sh*t and hope to come out clean. September is a tough month for us, we already have dropped points against Brighton – thanks to the referees, and we are going to play Tottenham away next Saturday with City coming up next. With a bit of dent in our confidence, we need the win. I will go into the matchday details in a later post and let me use this one to vent out my frustration.
Declan Rice received 2 yellows and is suspended for the Tottenham game. Why? Because a ref decided to fuck up. I am not getting into the discussion of whether it was right or wrong call. If it was right, Joao Pedro did the same and should have been sent off as well and the game should have continued 10v10.
First off, Veltman appeared to quickly take the free kick but the ball was still moving, which makes it illegal. Ref should have had a talk with both players and should have said play on. If you are hell bent on giving a card, because it’s an Arsenal player, you miss (or ignore, choose your words) the illegality of that free kick that was about to be taken. And why was no card given to Pedro when he kicked the ball halfway through?
At this stage, we don’t even want the referees to be RIGHT. We just want them to be CONSISTENT in their POOR REFEREEING.
Saka had to say this to BBC Sport :
I thought it was a bit harsh for us. We just want some consistency. Joao Pedro booted the ball halfway across the pitch in the first half and got nothing for it, and Dec got the slightest touch and was sent off. It is what it is; I don’t want to put the whole game on the referee as we still had chances to win it. It has been a good start. Today is a disappointment, but it is a long season.
source : bbc sports
Mikel Arteta On Declan Rice’s red card…
I was amazed. Amazed, amazed, amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half, there were two incidents and nothing happened. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan, he turns around, doesn’t see the player coming and touches the ball. By law, he can make that call, but by law then he needs to make the next call which is a red card. So we play 10 against 11. This amazed me, at this level.
source:Arsenal.com
It’s such a shame that nothing has changed yet again this season. The ref was from Manchester and I don’t need to guess if it can affect your decisions on the field. It’s high time for neutral European referees who don’t care if you are playing in blue or red. The PGMOL is a circus that needs disbanding.
Right, that was on the ref. The next one is on Mikel.
We haven’t heard from Mikel yet but there were injury concerns for Odegaard and Timber. Declan Rice is out for sure because of the 2 yellows. It’s okay that we have Thomas Partey but we have seen drop in performance after the 60min mark. Against Tottenham, it’s going to be a high intensity game which require a very high level of concentration. Can Thomas do that for 90min? I doubt that. Jorginho, the same thing. So, we haven’t got a DM that can play 90 with the same intensity, our only RCM could be ruled out for the game and for LCM, we would be playing Merino – his first game in Arsenal color.
You see why I was worried when we sold ESR and loaned Vieira? Odegaard. If our captain picks up an injury, no one is their to do half his job. ESR was the closest, Vieira could have still covered but there’s no one else to cover that position. Declan Rice / Thomas Partey / Jorginho / Merino – fight for the other two positions.
Third – we needed a CF. We missed chances in the Brighton half. A proper CF would have converted atleast one. A scoreline of 1-1 with 10 minutes sounds like the best thing, but we could still have won had we converted.
Right, I was gone for a week celebrating my birthday in Jaipur, the pink city and a lot had happened before transfer window closed. We brought Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. A move I would have hated if he was to be our first choice but everyone and their dog know that he is going to play those 20 min when Saka needs the rest. Mikel Merino finally made it, Calafiori was done deal long back, the deal for that Spanish goalkeeper collapsed so we loaned Neto for a season. Reiss Nelson left, Nketiah is gone, Vieira sent on loan and Aaron Ramsdale joined Southampton on a permanent deal.
A good clean up but I am not satisfied with the incoming. I don’t know we may have to start a fundraise to bring a CF to the club. That’s it for the day, I will be okay by next weekend and I’m sure we are going to enjoy a beautiful win against our arch rivals.
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Well put TRVL…..
TRVL
There were City noises about Eze but as you say Ilkay filled the void perfectly if you can call it a void?
After being spurned by all his forward line choices, and then having to bargain basement shop what we didn’t need, you can imagine that El B thought Sterling was a “hallelujah” moment when he heard his first love and protege was surplus to requirements having been ceremoniously dumped in the nuclear bin by Maresca and told to fond another club.
El B, the being spurned lover by the many he had courted with Edu, he knew that Sterling would still love him to run back into his mentor’s arms again.
You can picture at the Emirates to the Love Story music – the slo mo of El B and Sterling running towards each other gayly hopping in air to wave at each other, with that knowing love in their eyes of their earlier time together. What a sight that must have been.
Now, there is just a small matter of can Sterling deliver? Pizza, Chinese and Indian sure, but what about goals and assists I hear you ask, as is my own thinking? Can Sterling still do those jinxing little runs at pace into the box and then go arse akimbo at the merest hint of a breezy touch by a defender. Didn’t he do same to our hapless Xhaka in the box for a pen?
Prime Sterling at City were dazzling and Oscar filled performances brought 18, 17, 20 10 and 13 goal seasons from 32 games a season with 32 assists, so not too shabby at all.
However, at the Chavs his tallies tanked to 2022/23 6 PL goals and 3 assists from 28 PL games. 2023/24 he was similar with 8 PL goals and 4 assists from 31 games.
It’s easy to see why he wasn’t fancied, so El B has rekindled his love affair with his first student, so let’s hope El B and Sterling can revive Sterling’s flagging career and deliver with goals and assists; the Oscars I could do without with cameras everywhere and refs adopting the letter of he law.
Looking forward to Sterling wreaking havoc against the Spud’s defenders if we can get him the service.
Reports that Ode will miss both the Spud’s and City with the ankle injury taking 3 weeks to heal.
Tony—after such an underwhelming window, considering our sloth-like maneuvering and how many of our supposed first choices totally rejected MA’s advances, he needed something that could be packaged to the fanbase in a favourable light…Sterling fit that script perfectly, especially for those who were already well within his camp…not only did they have a previous connection, he was likewise in the store window at MA’s favourite department store, at a vastly reduced price to boot…now if you’re under the misplaced belief that MA’s has done a stellar job when he’s conducted business with our crosstown rivals, then you’ll be happier than a pig in shit over this 11th hour get, but if you think that MA has spent far too much monies on our main competitor’s sloppy seconds, this will feel like the cherry on MA’s shit sundae
as for myself, I sit somewhere in between these two extremes…he could have done worse, especially if the wage rumours are to be believed, as RS could rediscover his form of a few years back, but he could have done much better by triggering Nico’s or Eze’s release clauses a month or so back, then worked diligently to get either one under contract in a timely fashion…this would have been a statement of intent both for the now and the future
the fact remains, regardless of our back-to-back 2nd place finishes, in arguably the best League in world football, MA can’t seem to attract players of any real consequence to the Emirates; keeping in mind that Ode was a coin toss proposition at that time, Rice wanted the kind of assurances no one else would have agreed to, at least not at that price point, and both Calafiori and Merino weren’t the kind of players that “big” clubs wouldn’t exceed their internal evaluations to acquire…so why aren’t we considered an attractive option, unless we offer up assurnaces and massive wages? there’s only one plausible explanation, no one truly buys all the managerial hype that we’ve spent so handsomely on over the last couple of years…so although I hope that Sterling comes good, I wouldn’t be surprised if he shit the bed when it mattered most…sad part is no matter what transpires we will undoubtedly be inundated with a whole host of Havertz-like positive storylines along the way, which will be infuriating if he too fails the all-important eye test
btw, it sounds like those within the Norwegian medical camp are suggesting that Ode could be out for 3 weeks or so…not sure how much stock I would put in this preliminary report, but any time missed will be very problematic in light of our upcoming packed schedule
Well reasoned TRVL.
The word today in the Mirror is that the initial scan shows no damage so the early prognosis may be a little hasty and Ode could be fitter City?
I’m hoping this isn’t PR spin for Ode to be rushed back early as is El B’s propensity when under the pump.
“Arsenal handed Martin Odegaard injury boost ahead of North London derby
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was injured on international duty whilst playing for Norway this week and is now a doubt for Sunday’s North London Derby against Tottenham and possibly further matches to come”
“Arsenal are hopeful Martin Odegaard is NOT facing a lengthy lay-off.”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/martin-odegaard-injury-latest-update-33647546
If Ode is back for City, I hope he is 100% fit and recovered or we’ll risk an even more lengthy lay off if not season ending damage.
The news we were all waiting for …Amazing³ has put pen to a three year deal. As the BBC report says, in rather unflattering terms, he’s won 2 community shields and an FACup. As dear old Ian Dury would have said, ‘What a Waste’.
KP
not a reason to be cheerful now our half clever bastard has signed on for another 3 years. He can still be sacked.
Unless there’s some sort of release clause baked into this contract, which seems incredibly unlikely, he ain’t going anywhere for at least the next two seasons…at 20 million per he could pull a Spud-like shit surprise in Stan’s master fucking bedroom and still be on the sidelines the following weekend…talk about horrible timing considering our injury issues and upcoming schedule…I would imagine it was MA’s people who read the room and reached out, just in case things were to go sideways over the next few weeks
So our generational at failure has another 3 years with 12 month of his existing contract to run. That’s the staggering nonsense that has just transpired they couldn’t wait to reward failure with a pay hike close to Pep’s deal.
Sounds to me as if they’ve already bought into the injury excuses that could very well derail our season before Xmas leaving El B with another safety net to go into next season unless he really gets found out this season badly enough for Daddy to clip junior’s wings and finding him another smaller entity run.
Another 4 years of El B?
What do you say blog mister? This deserves a new post with the NLD preview, nes pas?
It was inevitable with the board we have, so we shouldn’t feel that outraged, but I feel sick to my stomach knowing we’re going to have to endure El B for longer than is necessary unless, of course, he wins the PL this season.
Right then, Sterling to the rescue…….
I thought this was apt:
“Clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right of me here I am stuck in the middle with you……..”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7Vn_WKkWU
The Kroenke’s are honestly worried Pep could go and twat would be on their radar to replace him so gave him a new contract.
Arteta will have to be forcibly removed from Arsenal – it’ll be interesting just how much of a bucket of cold water Slot finishing above us this season his first with a tiny transfer spend will be to the Kroenke’s.
Tony
Its not Arteta’s ear I want cut off!
NORG
Nice. I thought you’d be a fan.
Marc
I fully support your unsaid thinking. Head on a platter come our missing out on the PL trophy has a nice ring to it.
You can see the Kroenkes are badly informed because if El B went to City he’d have them as also rans in no time at all.
Perfect time to devalue one of our main competitors and the Kroenke’s once again can’t read the room.
I find the timing of the Arteta re-up to be an incredibly tone deaf maneuver on the part of ownership, much like when we handed him the managerial keys following his first half season…clearly our off-season wasn’t nearly as successsful as most would have hoped, in fact, if it weren’t for a last second deal we would have totally shit the bed when it came to addressing our most pressing needs up top, so why would this be the moment when Stan would move all his chips in…are we really concerned that another club would turn his head before season’s end, if so, maybe he wasn’t as committed as he’s always claimed to be…so either ownership blinked first or MA wasn’t even willing to bet on himself, the latter of which seems the most likely answer considering what has transpired in the business end of the season 3 years running…if he had the utmost faith in his supposed plan he would have waited until the end of the season, then if we actually turned the proverbial corner he would have held all the leverage…instead he undoubtedly pushed to have this done and dusted before a tricky fixture list, especially with all our potential injury concerns…sorry but I just don’t get the sense of urgency…let’s not forget that even though we’ve climbed the standings we’ve never been a less attractive landing spot for players of real consequence, which speaks directly to what footballers actually think about the man we’ve put in charge…we should never be so naive as to ignore the sentiments of those on the outside looking in
The Mirror online:
“Arsenal reportedly rejected the chance to sign Victor Osimhen this summer because they felt the Napoli striker was simply too expensive.
Osimhen was heavily linked with a move away from Napoli this summer, with the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli all interested in the 25-year-old’s services.
However, Osimhen failed to seal a permanent transfer and ended up joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan instead, with Napoli having already signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea as his replacement.”
Let me get this right, El B said he was too expensive and loaned Sterling who El B said he knew he had to loan Sterling after 3 seconds talking to him.
El B obviously missed the part of Galatasaray loaning Osimhen most like for peanuts because they are a bargain basement or bottom feeding club.
Now Osimhen or Sterling on loan? No brainier, right, it’s Osimhen.
Sounding like Sterling is starting Sunday and Spuds are only missing Bisouma.
Any thought TRVL …… anyone?
Did Osimhen choose Galatasaray over us?
Tony—it’s important to remember when the loan took place, as their respective windows were open later than ours…he was only allowed to leave on a loan once it was determined that he wasn’t going to PSG or one of the bigger PL clubs…there’s little to no chance that Napoli was going to allow him to go on loan to a team they felt had the means to buy him, as they will likely push for a similar type move next summer…as for all the chatter regarding his potential transfer fees, that appeared to have changed somewhat in the last couple of weeks of our window, especially around the time that Napoli was wrapping up a move for Lukaku…personally I feel that MA wasn’t interested in either Osimhen or Toney due to their alpha-type personalities, as we know full-well that he doesn’t want any real competition in the room…now I wouldn’t have paid 115+M for the Nigeriam Striker, but if that price was substantially reduced, which I believe was the case, it would seem negligent on our part to not have made a concerted effort to get that deal over the line…at some point our manager will need to make decisions that are based entirely on the betterment of the club as a whole without care or concern for his exceedingly fragile self…if not, we will undoubtedly repeat the mistakes of our more recent past, when Wenger’s insecurities negatively impacted our recruitment practices
Thanks TRVL that makes sense about the loan.
This throws a little more light on the subject:
“Osimhen has joined Gala on-loan from Napoli this season in a deal without a purchase option. The agreement includes a break clause in January for 10 clubs chosen by Osimhen. And Il Corriere dello Sport says his Napoli deal will also see it’s buyout clause cut on January 1 from €130m to €75”
Are we going to snap the player up at a buyout clause nearer to what we paid for Havertz at £63.3m in the January Window? Give for take a little with the exchange rate…. There can’t be any financial excuses, can there?
That would make sense but when does El B make sense or Edu in the TWs?
Wenger and El B have or had weak minds and let’s not confuse stubbornness for strength, it’s a big weakness in people like Wenger and El B who are scared of being challenged.
They cannot have their control threatened at all, where people with NPD (Narcissistic personality disorder) are the same or exhibit similar tendencies. I’m not saying El B or Wenger has NPD, just that successful people are often in spectrum and what the far raging issues the spectrum offers. More are affected today by microplastics and other pollutions.
The spectrum used well can be seen as a gift, such as with creatives: musicians and elite sports people along with actors and successful business people et al
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/narcissistic-personality-disorder-npd
Paranoia and fear of loss of control certainly affected Wenger and also El B in football management. The lack of alphas in the dressing room back then and now confirms it. Wenger didn’t replace the strongest voices of the Invincibles with strong or stronger voices because he didn’t want his word/world challenged
The general conception from Romford Pele’s book, and others from that era, was that Wenger’s tactics were , “Go out and express yourself mon amis”. They did to incredible effect.
Big Tone, Vieira, Petit, mad Jens, Henry and others managed themselves and their games all had strong voices where they berated any player falling below what was required to win the game. Those days were a charmed management for Wenger because the invincibles knew what they had to do and did it.
The status quo was perfect until the wheels feel off at Old Trafford where we finally lost.
Then, the rot set in. Cesc and RVP came and went because of Wenger’s lack of winning mentality and ambition through buying ‘yes men’ who fawned at Wenger’s feet admiringly at all times. After all, 4th was a trophy and a DoF was someone who directed traffic or similar. Wally Walcott was benched for saying Spuds, I think it was, who wanted it more than us.
Back to this weekend with tomorrow’s game, and what currently looks to be issues in our MF and attack.
Looking at the grey or bleak areas, who’s going to play LB?
If Zinchenko, then he will be Spuds MOTM.
Havertz at 8? Ange will think Xmas has come early with Son will be preplanning what to do with his goal bonuses.
We will be porous down our left because Partey can’t marshal the whole MF, as El B seems to think. Ode did a lot of defensive work with Rice, so Partey will either have the slow Jorginho or Nwaneri to create time and space for to create service for our front 3.
It Partey is expected to do this role, he will tire by 60 minutes leaving gas centrally for Spuds to exploit.
The huge creative void created by Ode’s absence is the main worry.
I assume Sterling will play 9, but is only 172cm, and Jesus is 175cm, so 2 aerially challenged midgets to get on the end of crosses against towering CBs. However, both have Oscar material with their diving off to a fine art, so maybe the plan is a pen?
I don’t have a good feeling about this game. My wobbles have been collied where I think we get lucky at best with a draw.
No prediction from me, just unanswered questions:
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=unmanswered+questions+song&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:2b4c7492,vid:lrz3F_bDVg8,st:0
KP
Are you home or away games this weekend?
Osimhen going to Gala is a good thing as his valuation has a 90% chance to further drop. If he scores less then 20 goals in the Turkish league that would have a negative effect. If he scores in the mid 20s it still will have the stigma of “it is the Turkish league”. So, unless he scores a record number or is instrumental in Gala winning the EL, his value will be less next summer then it is now. However regardless of his valuation then, Chelsea being the circus they are, will splash cash as they may feel we need a CF more desperately then Arsenal and will outbid us. It then depends on what Chelsea can offer in Europe and if that makes a difference to Osimhen if the salary being offered to him by Chelsea is obscene.
Kilroy
Not sure father Todd has enough say if reports are to be believed that another entity owns 61% of the Chavs. I think Todd would have spent big to get Osimhen, but with Maudrake looks as promising from the game I saw him in. Easy to see why Sterling was past his Chavs sell by date.
I get the impression the main share holders are not too happy with the money wasted on players like Mickey Mudflaps etc.
Could still lose out to Manure’s next manager as ten Hag looks to be on borrowed time or Arene Slott.
LIR
What’s the thinking for todays games: wins for City, Pool and Villa – all home games?
Can Southampton the the game too far for TH?
We could be looking at being 7/8th going into tomorrow’s game where a Spuds win could pout them ahead of us on GD.
Nothing but a win is needed, but I still feel we scrape a draw……
Manure playing the way I like toothless in attack and very suspect at the back with Dalot playing like Zinchenko.
Southampton by far the better team.
Posters curse Manure 1 up after Obama saves a pen.
Tony
I can’t see beyond comfortable wins for City and Liverpool with a win for Villa against an Everton team who look like they’re going down.
Dyche has to be the first manager to get the bullet this season, another loss today and 0 points from 4 games would surely send the owners into a position where they have to act.
As for our game I have no idea – we’ve been really average this season, will be missing 2 of our best players and have a manager who’s usual approach is to play safe for a point.
I think the deciding factor will be the Spuddies – play well with the right approach and they could cause us problems rather than us going and stamping our authority on the match. They’ll be a lot riding on Saka going forward and Saliba and Gabs in defence.
Check this shit out:
“Arsenal’s reported willingness to let William Saliba depart for Real Madrid indicates a bold strategy by Mikel Arteta. The club’s intention is to secure Aurelien Tchouameni, a player they believe can significantly enhance their midfield. Saliba, a key figure in Arsenal’s recent successes, could be sacrificed to achieve this goal. The potential trade underscores Arsenal’s commitment to elevating their squad to compete at the highest level. As Fichajes notes, Arsenal are keen on bringing Tchouameni into their ranks, viewing him as a crucial addition. The French midfielder has impressed with his performances, and Arteta is reportedly eager to integrate him into his tactical setup. “Arsenal are reportedly ‘willing to offer William Saliba’ to Real Madrid to secure the signing of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni”
read this last evening and just had to share it with everyone…can you even imagine a more delusional take, considering what we all know to be true in regards to Saliba’s potential Real interest…only a paid hack would even attempt to spin this script in MA’s favour…so let me get this straight, getting Tchouameni would elevate our squad, even if we lost one of the premier CBs in world football…only a moron or a brainwashed slobbering fool could ever draw such nonsensical conclusions…let’s hope this isn’t the actual planting of an early seed, so as to better prepare us for Saliba’s departure next summer
TRVL
Arteta has to keep the “we’re one or two players away from winning the PL” thing going otherwise people are going to expect him to actually win things.
He’s gone through the whole team and spent almost €800 million – he’s now got to start selling players to then have to replace them.
Odd’s Saka’s next to City? Assuming City aren’t kicked out of the PL etc.
Liverpool losing with 10 odd minutes of normal time remaining – didn’t expect that.
Marc—I kind of thought it could be a possibility on the heels of the break considering how Salah’s inner circle used that time to spread nonsense about his future…probably why he’s been both incredibly selfish and shitty today
TRVL
Looks like the international break has left quite a few teams half asleep.
makes sense…guys are just revving things up then you send them out to play some typically dire football…international breaks are a form pox this early in the season, except for those teams who have little to no players getting called into action, as they can use that time to actually work on shit