The Last Dance

If Tets would have not gone full galaxy brain and play Partey at RB and if we would have used the formation everyone screamed for, we would not only have won that game but also the title. But what do you expect from an OTJ manager.

Hoopah

What do these pundits know – eh. Foden definately their star player and Palmer the best transfer. But who do they think is the best Manager – all but two chose Emery. If it wasnt for Raul trying to save his bacon and Josh having a pair he would still be our manager and probably succesful. I like the 3 – 4 – 3 format that TRVL mentions. With the right players that system can be very strong in defence and attack. The two wing backs would probably need to be subbed more than any other players because of the physical output required. Doing away with the inverted full back system will make both sides of the pitch strong in attack. Perhaps Havertz could retrain as a goalie.

Cheers to you Tony, Hoopah and Norg…it’s by no means a coincidence that as soon as Achole mentions Bob’s name he magically appears…I think it’s vitally important to note that my issues with the two aforementioned posters started as a result of them making personal attacks towards me and not the reverese…so how ironic it is that they would go on another passive aggressive rant about the supposed abusive nature of this particular blog…simply put, this is how these sorts of individuals operate…they start the beef then continually fuel the fire in the hopes that the intended target goes just far enough that a couple things occur, (1) the perceived aggressor will be excommunicated and/or (2) they will cajole the powers that be into a blog reset that best fits their preferred narrative…this is why I spoke specifically of their divide and conquer agenda…the absolute gall of Bob to actually suggest that he wouldn’t name names, speaks directly to the passive aggressive nature of his weaselly quest…so before you buy into these two peas in a cancel culture pod, please look at the underlying facts so that you too don’t fall victim to their manipulative practices…I get it though, if one lacks the mental capacity to go toe-to-toe, it might be in your best interest to find a way to eliminate the “competition”…frankly, I feel for these sad, entitled mopes

Norg-in order to pursue the 3-4-3 model a manager must have tactical courage, an eye for talent, the proper financial backing and a willingness to utlilize his depth pieces…Gasperini has all but one of these variables, the financial capacity required to compete with the best, whereas MA tragically comes up short in the remaining 3 categories

Vera
“Eliminate the competition”

You’re funnier when you try less.

the competition of ideas, you lightweight, lacking in nuance clown LOL

Gasperini is definitely punching above his weight – Atalanta should win tgheir last two league games and they could end up 3rd. Inter have run away with the league this season. A business contact loves him. She said the atmosphere at home games is so positive these days and to reach a European final is beyond there wildest dreams. She doubts they will inflict a loss on Alonso’s last game of the season.
I think Zirkee (excuse the spelling) may be an Arsenal player by the beginning of June. He may follow advice and wear extra thick shorts to avoid splinters in the bum. ESR has offered to pass on his short pads.

Vera,
What sort of dimwit would want to eliminate competing ideas?

Says it all.

I’m not convinced by this new found Gasparini love in.

No doubt he’s been a rated coach for some time, seen his name bounced about over the years, and maybe punched above his weight at times but he’s not won very much and achieved very little on the big stage bar a Euro final this season.

He flopped on the bigger stages and there’s nothing to suggest he’d be a good fit for us any more than there was for Tets when he joined. He’d be learning the Prem on the job and we’d probably regress.

Good question, Senor Dimwit? Thanks for helping the cause…your contributions are greatly appreciated

People, Emery’s a good coach. Nobody with any sense doubts that. This doesn’t make Tets a bad coach. Both can be good coaches.

But it was four years ago and we were dire then. I think it’s possible to move on from him, Emi, Wilian and still have relevant discussions about Arsenal. Worth trying.

My contributions are great Vera.

It’s why you’d want them ‘eliminated’.

They make yours look silly.

“Get in Gasperini because he’d play a 3-4-3” is peak facile. And then you cobble together an imaginary 343 to show us what what this coach we’re not going to get would do for us.

But yeah, you think some coach who’s achieved little has the ‘tactical courage’ to play your made up formation.

He might, y’know, play a system that suits the personnel. That’s what smart coaches do.

Your strategies are always full of intangibles like having “balls” “courage” and “guts”. So 1980s.

I remember the old days when we were always told the “continentals” didn’t “like it up ’em” in lieu of strategy.

Bobby Robson’s team talk v Germany in 1990 springs to mind.

England were shit in those days. Its a good thing you’re not a real coach Vera.

Vera

You said “cancel culture”

Don’t let it happen to you again. I suspect the problem is you if it keeps happening.

Aitcho
I think the conversations about Gasparini are more about his style etc etc. He has achieved a lot with a small team from Bergamo. Half an hour from Milan and a cheap train fare meant a lot of the locals were Milan or Inter supporters. The local supporters enjoy what he has done – could he be prized away from Bergamo – I doubt it very much. He loves cheese – Bergamo is the shopping place for Italian cheese.

Well aside the gorgeous weather and a few cold beers yesterday was really hard work. We really didn’t look sharp, as always Arteta was slow to make changes and when they happened they really didn’t set the world alight.

What I really need someone to explain to me is the logic or thought process behind the Gabriel substitution – not that he was taken off he was injured but the replacement and shifting of Tomi?

Most people (at least ones who aren’t fuckwits) having their LCB pick up an injury and a LCB on the bench would make a like for like swap unless they were changing formations. Not El C though he starts with a RB at LB because the £35 million LB he bought isn’t good enough (although he is on the bench) so when his LCB gets injured does he bring on Kiwior? Don’t be fucking stupid he moves the RB playing at LB to LCB and brings the LB on who’s too shit to start at LB.

Now we won the match but what if we’d dropped points and City had had a wobble? Until Arteta can stop doing shit that makes no sense other than trying to look far too clever he’s going to continue coming up short.

My guess is in a years time we’ll be having the same conversation about much the same end of season result and the fanboys will be making the same excuses.

They could at least try to come up with some new ones!

On another note great to see Timber back and the crowd gave him a really special reception.

Marc

So Timber at RB , new LB and a back three of White, Saliba & Gabriel. How would that look to you?

Guys, no fights. It’s just 2 days without football, atleast let a month pass..

Marc / NORG,

I will stick to White at RB, Timber at LB, Gabriel and Saliba as CBs. I will keep Tomiyasu and Kiwior because they can play in that back line in any position, without a severe downgrade in performance.

Zinchenko needs to go. And we need a specialist CB back up as well.

Norg

I’m not really a fan of 3 at the back – Gabs and Saliba pick themselves, White’s been excellent at RB this season which as I’ve commented before asks why did we buy Timber? He can play at LB but its not his natural side.

My preference bearing in mind the players we currently have would be 4-2-3-1 with some fluidity in players movements. The back 4 would be Timber (LB lets see what he can do there), Gabs, Saliba and White. A CM of Rice plus a replacement for Partey who I think is leaving this summer (I like the idea of a double pivot where both players can defend, break up play but have the skill set to get forward (a bit like Vieira and Petit) and support attacks. Martinelli/Trossard, Ode and Saka playing off a real striker.

That would mean a summer shopping list of a new CM, a Striker who can bag a minimum of 20 PL and maybe backup for Saka if we really don’t have anyone in the squad who can cover after sales.

Out of the first team squad I can see / wouldn’t be surprised to see all or some of ESR, Jesus, Zinchenko, Partey, Eddie and Ramsdale all go which means we’ll also need another keeper.

Ambarish

Yeah I think we’re on the same wavelength on the back 4 – my only question would be if Kiwior isn’t good enough to play as reserve LCB why the hell did we pay €20 odd million for him?

All manager have players who don’t work out but Arteta’s constant pissing money up the wall makes me think he’s on commission from the agents.

Marc

He will be a good back up for Timber with Zinchenko gone. We are going to play 2 games a week for most of the next season.

Tomiyasu can manage RB. The only thing I would like to see is him being used at CB when we need to rest any of our 2 CBs. Or get a decent enough back in that position.

What about midfield? Because there is going to be a lot of changes I believe. We might see Partey leaving.

Killroy

Playing Partey costed us that game. He got injured and his value has dropped significantly. One of those brain fogs from Mikel.

Martin Keown believes “Unai Emery cost Arsenal the Premier League title this season” and claims “the Aston Villa manager was ‘desperate’ to beat his former club.”

What a bunch of clueless drivel, Unai has figured out Arteta as he also beat him with Villa Real in the EL. Emery fully deserves to revel in that success because of the way the Arsenal hierarchy treated him. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Ambarish

As I said in my earlier comment I think Partey’s gone this summer so we’ll need a replacement.

If we buy a striker as we’re being linked with and Arteta’s plan is to go with a midfield of Rice, Havertz and Ode he’ll being playing Jorginho until he breaks him and then wondering why our season has fallen apart.

Killroy

The fact that Villa did the double over us when we only lost 5 PL matches all season should be enough to tell you everything you need about Emery’s ability over Arteta.

Mirror’s Football writers have given their verdicts at the end of the campaign and voted for best manager:
Unai 7
Pep 2
Ange 1

Oh snap, that got to smart with all the Arteta fan boys, not one vote for Tets.

Marc, Ambarish

The manager should be able to have both systems in his locker which he can change to suit the opposition being played. In some games Wenger would go with a back 5 – Keown being just in front of the back 4 or as a man marker when playing United. Keown marked his man in more ways than one.

Morning all

Alright, Bob!!!!!!!!!!!

Ambarish

I agree the name calling should stop if it even really started.

Let me clear this up for you best I can.

Aitcho is a troll whose soul purpose is to disagree here and hope to get someone banned or just take pleasure bring negativity to a positive blog where we enjoy chatting together with you and Hoopah and anyone who has views that make sense.

How do we know? A troll is someone who wants to disprove incontrovertible facts, such as 2nd is losing not winning.

Back in LG days Bob asked me for help with his very talented musician son who was looking for some areas to work on to improve both his song writing and production thinking, where after hearing the foundation of one of his songs, I was able to give some direction, and would be happy to offer further and introduce Bobs’ son to a successful engineer and song writer/musician closer to Bob’s son’s age.

There were other areas I was more than happy to offer other ideas that came to mind later after listening to the track in my Room and pulling it apart. The biggest issue was it was a melody rap song with little compression. That needed to be pushed much higher and I suggested studio techniques to talk over with the studio engineer, such as using keyboard bass lines. The song needed some different additions to make it stand out, which I again made suggestions for context mostly to get the creative juices flowing.

It’s well known on LG that Bob’s wife is a respected Dr of psychiatry or similar field and Bob oft decides he is one too.

Because we were back channeling via email I stupidly told Bob of some shit I was going through at a time where he had triggered me, so much with his reply, that had I been in England I would have had it out with him face to face.

For context, the last time I hit anyone was in 1980 was outside O’banians (similar spelling) when a big Peuto Rican chap decided I shouldn’t be with a PR woman coming out of the Irish pub while on tour with Madness, in Chicago.

I saw the knife late and threw the biggest marching power driven overhand right cross that connected perfectly on his frothing open mouth causing his jaw to break with pain to match. I was bundled into a taxi head first by pub security now outside, and driven to the Embassy hotel by “Huggy Bear’s” doppleganger who asked if I’d leave his fare on his meter once knowing I was with the English band in town. The Nutty Boys had been having their fun, too; it was 1980 and America loved the British accent. It was Madness in Chicago.

Lucky punch? Not really I was into martial arts self defense; it was instinctive. Anyone reading this I would urge take up Krav Maga as it could save your life some day, especially in the world today, which I’m sure TRVL and ex early MMA proponent would agree. I played men’s rugby at 15 and had had beatings in the orphanages and from my adopted father. Not poor me just life shaping.

Bob fanned the flames at a time when my depression was at it’s worst by writing back words to the effect of saying ‘drop the poor me’, and in that moment, I was done with Bob and sadly his son, too.

I was helping your son, Bob, and you were seriously grateful. We all knew about your gifted son from your candor on LG that he also has spectrum issues, as often highly creative people do. You told us how he’d come through a psychotic episode, and really doing well, and you were happy for my connection even to the point telling me your son told you he likes the way my brain works. Quelle supris!

We both reside in spectrum. We are gifted and cursed in equal amounts. We understand each other’s torment because we live our own. Something you’ll never understand unless you live it and I don’t mean vicariously.

I, as I did too many times in LG, let my ADHD handbrake off and said Fcuk You and that was that, I deleted you from my life.

Bob, as you have said before, you and I are adopted. Here’s where that story differs. Your adopted parents were Cambridge grads that afforded you a very comfy life, and you live in a wealthy part of London. My childhood was the polar opposite. I left home or I was going to give my adopted father 12 years of payback. I elected to take care of myself at 18. By 24 I had been award gold and silver discs and ran tours throughout Europe and North America. Very few achieve that, Bob. As I said gifted and cursed.

So, for all your smarts you denied your son much potential help. I’m sure he has gone on to much better levels now, as I’d expect that kind of raw talent to do. I genuinely hope he is finding his mojo in music.

If you took the time to be a regular reader here, you’d see that this Arsenal platform is one of intelligent discourse about our beloved team and other subjects we all enjoy reading and writing.

Ambarish is all the moral conscience guide we should need, but it never has been needed, as we all respect each other greatly, where those who want or have time for are back channelling by email where we have become good friends.

You had that chance, but decided you would be you.

I’m deep into the spectrum and am open about it because it might help others understand themselves. Your myopia seems to think it’s “poor me.”

ADHD is a very all consuming spectrum issue that attaches itself to other parts of the spectrum alphabet soup. For me it’s most likely some autism and OCD driven by ADHD. Rory Bremner also has similar issues who like me had no idea for way too many years what was affecting him and why our brains are always data gathering making focus a nightmare.

Everyone here knows me, so let’s look at you.

Junior, at 12 had you well worked out. He said to me Bob just runs round in circles getting nowhere fast. He said you liked to nastily snipe paradoxically; his word at 12 because I looked up at him smiling knowingly. He added grey areas and nuances were your get out of jail free cards always finding a way to spin. That was junior’s impression of you. By your own admission you admitted similar that drove your teachers mad.

You come across as a smart arse, but can’t pull it off consistently so go the paradox trail. The broken clock analogy chimes in here.

Now junior is living in BKK, in a condo at 15, and attends the most privileged and advanced mathematics school run by a university with 10 students to a class. 3000+ students for a handful of seats that money can’t buy a place. Fall below a 3:0 and your history.

He wants to be a robotic architecture engineer and songwriting musician. At 15 he is the young “Giant Khon champion of Thailand” He’s done TV interviews and been invited into the adult palace Khon group, and will eventually be part of the very highest shows for the king and visiting dignitaries. His networking will be very cool, as it is at his school where the Thai elite send their kids if they can gain entrance.

The sky is the limit for junior and he will only be limited by himself.

I guess we are all different, Bob. I’ll be honest, I simply don’t like you as a person.

I could care less what you think of me it will not change my life in any form. Anyone who can trigger me enough to want to dispatch maximum violence in me, is not someone I want to talk to or have in my life at any level.

My last words to you here was “I don’t need people like you in my life.” It’s still true today.

Now let me spell it out to you.

I have no problem you posting here, as is your right. You are fully ware of the room temperature and can read a room as well as understanding that we are a blog of winners: in our private lives and wanting glory for our club, especially after 20 years in the PL wilderness.

You like to quote facts; well the facts are you are saying the same hollow, lame excuses of we’ve improved and we’ve…… and we’re …… but reality, Bob, is we have won nothing of note in 5 years.

One Covid FA cup.

If you and Islington want to celebrate this fervently together all getting pissed together with that special Kumbya moment; by all means do so.

6000km away this non alcohol liking Gooner didn’t feel the faux celebrations of 2nd.

You see 2nd and something to celebrate, and I see losing.

Another reality check is we have collapsed 3 years running: all in April.

You are welcome to your thoughts, Bob, but why try to convert a room who are 100% against your anti winning logic. You’ll convert no one and just cause ill will with a very happy bunch of posters who collective look for ways to improve our club – we see this as certain players in and out, and new manager who can win the title spending nearly £700m, and not be the also ran, El B is.

We all support the same club, Bob. Just differently.

Here’s a thought start your own blog, Bob, where all the Islington celebrators can write freely on your platform and we won’t bother you.

Why? We’re happy here, we don’t need to piss on other peoples chips or happiness you and Aitcho seem to take delight in doing and wrap it up as banter.

If you want to address me, I’ll simply send you a seal because that is what I think of you. Nothing’s changed, Bob.

Post away, but leave me out and I’ll do the same. I just send Aitcho seals now if I see my name mentioned I can’t be bothered to read his drivel after TRVL has factually downed Aitcho’s trolling. His posts are wasted on me as I just scroll by.

Now Bob, I’ve highlighted nothing above you can’t find on LG.

No new revelations, they are all there to be read if one is so inclined. Certain facts you relayed by email I have kept private because karma drives my moral compass, and I don’t break confidences even of people I dislike.

I have neither called you names nor called your character into question. I’ve simply quoted Junior who doesn’t like you either and was very accurate.

Since you have decided to come back, I have just let the room know my stance, as far as you are concerned. I consider these people my friends so prefer they understand why I won’t be acknowledging you here after this post.

I’m sure you’ll feel assuaged by this.

I understand why you are the way you are: Arsenal is your life socially, and club wise, and as with Stroller, you feel compelled you should deter the detractors. I hope the club recognizes your fervor.

Very noble of you, Bob, but I doubt either of you will get a statue.

FYI the LIR detractors here only seek a way to win. I know this is a difficult concept for you to understand, but there it is. For a time this season here we dared to hope, too, but blind faith isn’t us.

You and Aitcho do similar, but support a manager who can’t win anything to save his life after spending nearly £700m in 5 years. Fact! 88522 Fact! Maybe next season, eh?

For a winning rookie generational manager think Alonso, not El B.

You’re hanging onto blind faith that El B isn’t going to make the same mistakes during the coming season regardless of who he bought. We beg to differ, as in 5 years the song remains the same.

Emery wasn’t the long term answer, but with £600m+ he’d have brought us at least one PL trophy. After all, he missed 4th by one point with a rag tailed squad he wasn’t allowed to improve with his own player choices.

First full season with Villa and he’s playing CL football next season.

No one knows if Gasparini or the other 2 new PL incumbent managers all siting 10, 11 and 12th have what it takes to manage us, but for sure all will take points from us next season with lesser squads, such as B’mouth.

El B has spent almost twice what B’mouth is worth as a club. Let that sink in.

Ambarish
I hope this clears things up here. No one here wants discourse El B causes that enough on his own.

Don’t worry about censoring the room, you have enough to do, and you know we all highly respect you and will keep things, as you would like the blog to be.

We also would like to welcome more posters as the more views the merrier. Trolls are better suited with Pedro: the master of the alter egos.

I won’t address Bob or Aitcho further.

A sad song for a sad end to our season, but a beautiful song of loss:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FHvP_Yv0wE

For the uninitiated I first got to hear about Garth from an article about 2 heavy metal, grizzled, road crew from Iron Maiden who were off tour. They were offered a Garth tour and took it for the money, but actually loved every minute and continued to work for him.

That resonated with me having met such veterans of the industry and learnt much from them, and so I took a serious interest in his music and songwriting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqXwQTXoXZM

See what you think.

Have a good one LIR

Tony,

We had private e mail correspondence around personal issues, you are now sharing some very personal details on line which is completely out of order. You have a habit of over sharing your personal life which is your choice but to share some of mine is seriously wrong.

Ambarish, could you please delete Tony’s post, thank you

Bob
Nothing has been shared that isn’t on LG from your posts.

Be thankful I helped you maybe even grateful.

Bullshit Tony! I’m gone.

This is interesting though unlike VAR get’s the boot.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13439587/Premier-League-table-without-VAR.html

Tony

One down, or out or whatever .

Good day all

Hoopah

Are you near the coast?

Tony-so as to not pile on, I will simply say bravo and thanks again for keeping me in the loop…Cheers

Tony
That could have been 95% shorter, much less out of order to Bob and much less of your made up backstory. Again. How many times do you need to try and convince us you were adopted and have adhd? Let it go. If you’re odd, you’re odd, that’s not adhd.

Tets has spent £584m, stick to facts not your fantasies. I have no idea why you think imaginary fights and martial arts expertise make your footballing opinions any less shit. Last week it was £1bill, this £700m, this is why your views are trash.

All I’m seeing from you and Vera is fantasy and LG related bitterness. Let it go.

Emery was 4 years ago, he was dross. He was dross as PSG, he shit the bed v City this season, you saw the team he put out. You’d trust him with £600m only because you were wrong about Tets. Let that go too

The foolishness of you coming on a blog to shit on the fans, proper fans, many who go to games, support the club, through thick and thin, sometimes very thin, beggars belief.

Dismissing that support as nothing more than idiots doing kumbya shows me the issue. You don’t get it, you don’t understand the club the fans and what it means to people. You also don’t get competitive sport. This is why people become dismissive of tourists and armchair fans. Fools like you make them look bad.

Arsenal related content is not a vehicle for your delusions of grandeur, your delusions generally.

By all means, put up your seals, post more of your fables, if you want this blog to be a Vera and Tiny Tone chat-shit-fest. You’re not getting banned. In truth, I’d feel bad if this was taken from your life on my account. But I’m more than comfortable addressing the boneheaded views of oddballs on a blog who are too petty to let grudges go.

Haven’t you and ‘Junior’ got a Mars rover to design or something?

Tony
Again
You have no idea if 10, 11 12th managers will take points off us. Nothing in recent form to ussher they will

This is your stock in trade. Make up imaginary scenarios, footballing and otherwise and then get all upset over them.

This time last year you were gassing De Zerbi. How he had patterns of play that would mean he could deal with injuries and less money.and no Saliba. Even De Zerbi doesn’t agree with you, he wants more money and is now leaving to get it.

You just follow the anti Tet crowd with no clue at all.

I was thinking about the games we lost last season it was 5 games, 2 of them were against a Villa team in the hands of Emery. Looks like he got the beat on Tets.