Special thanks to Sparxs_TV for the cover pic and some more images from the Arsenal game. He runs a YouTube channel @WereTheNorthBank.
What did we expect – to play Dortmund in Quarter Finals, PSG in Semis and Barcelona in finals? Nope, that’s not how you claim the Champions of Europe trophy. The ties we got is what happens to everyone else in CL. Bayern in QF, Madrid or City in Semi, and any of the Dortmund, Atletico, Barcelona, PSG in finals. I would say reaching to the finals is tougher than winning it but
to be the best, you must beat the best.
And it’s the same for Premier League. Liverpool and Man City are going to make it as difficult as you can imagine, and the only way to win is to beat the current champions Man City at their home and win against the likes of Chelsea, Brighton, Tottenham (lol), Man United in the process. Tough? Yes – very. You would need everything by your side, fitness, form, luck.
We passed Porto test in the shootouts. They parked the bus, drew our players out of shape and played a game to frustrate us. I was vocal against Odegaard and was hoping to see ESR play in that role couple months back. It seems the Captain has not liked it. He was brilliant, passionate and created that goal allowing us to beat Porto. Our penalty kicks were spot on, Raya made 2 great stops and almost stopped a third one as well.
The thing is, we looked hungry for a win for the whole 120min and in the shootouts. Odegaard chest thumping showed what it meant for the boys. Saliba’s celebration after the game was one of the funniest and at the same time an intense celebration. To qualify to quarter finals after 14 years is an achievement and to not stop here is the ask.
What’s next? 3 very tough games in Champions League and 10 more in PL. You win these 13 games and you get to write your name in the history as an Arsenal players. Is it tough? A lot. Is it possible? Fuck yeah.
When the players show the urgency and enthusiasm to win something and believe in it, we fans are more than happy. It’s a sport and a loss is acceptable when it comes with a fight. Last season, we gave away the Premier league title and the manager as well as the players were responsible for that. They have improved and hanging in there, not going down without a fight this season. To anyone’s saying fighting on two front is difficult, it’s not. 13 games with a fit squad, and belief to win is more than enough.
Right, I woke up and chose positivity. It’s gonna be boring 2 weeks till we play City on 31st March. We will beat them. And for a morning chuckle, let me remind you that Fulham were playing Willian whom we let go for free more than a year back and Tottenham still managed to lose 3-0 against them. And they were talking about winning the league couple of months back. How can someone be so delusional, lol?
Tony
A long read. The wife was out last night for a meal – a Ladies night. She has no taste in music so her absence allows me to turn up the volume. Last night it was an hour of Steely Dan followed by a mixture that included ‘ Son of Orange County’ by the 1973 Mothers line up. This song is about Nixon but as soon as I hear it that idiot Trump comes to mind. I finished off with Seun Kuti with Newen Afrobeat.
A listening room for me is a few years off – perhaps my office can be tastefully converted when I finally close the lid on my lap-top.
Thank you for the invite to Thailand and a visit to that part of the world could be on the cards in next year or two. I have invented a pellet product that can remove arsenic from water – a problem that affects countries from India round to Viet Nam. A simple two chamber water filter can provide 20litres of arsenic free water per day.
Aaaah. I’m jealous not only of both of your plans but also your aural abilities 👂👂.
If only my hearing allowed me to experience Steely Dan at full or any kind of volume. Reeling in the years, Ricki don’t lose that number, Peg, Kid Charlemagne and Showbusiness Kids to name a few. Superb.
I’m prefacing Sunday (a massive day for both senior Arsenal teams) with a trip to Cardiff (a mere 100 miles away!) to watch them play Sunderland on Friday. I had planned a really sneaky double header because County play at Pontypridd at 12.30pm but the intervening time is too short. With Kroenkephobe Junior and a couple of his mates. Being a bit like fair-weather Bluebirds, we’ve decided we’ll go away to Coventry on Easter Monday only if they put up a good show against the Mackems!
I remember this time last year, we had our best ever Cardiff away day up at Bloomfield road winning a relegation 6 pointer 3-1. Patino played for them and was very ordinary.
KP I think Sunday (men) will be a draw and there will be goals – perhaps 2-2. Patino seems to require a lot of space something he will struggle to find in the premiership.
A friend of mine was a guest of DP Ports World in their box at the London Stadium to see WHU play Villa. In the communal area he spied ESR – perhaps spying up a potential move.
Whilst I’m actually looking forward to the Euro’s in the summer I’ve got to say international breaks especially when they’re playing friendlies is a borefest of epic proportions.
No idea how things will go Sunday other than I’m watching in the pub and with no work on Monday it’s going to get liquid.
Marc
Internationals for me are a switch off. There is an occasional good match per tournament but most are great for insomniacs. I think Sunday could be a good game as long as El B does not get the team to be too cautious.
NORG
There’s usually too many matches between pretty average teams. I do think England this summer have the making of a really exciting line up – Foden, Kane and Saka up front with a CM including Bellingham and Rice is pretty tasty.
Of course having Southgate manage them is like giving someone who’s tee total an amazing bottle of wine.
Marc
Perhaps Declan can provide in game management on the pitch – I am sure he and the other players you mentioned have more idea than Southgate.
Baaaaad day yesterday. I should have left home earlier and watched County get an important win against Ponty instead.
Cardiff were utter shite (as only they can find a way to be) but the ref was even worse. Check the highlights on YT for the most ridiculous penalty awarded for a swallow dive by Bellingham junior.
And you thought Tierney was a bad referee
https://youtu.be/-HsHXMDshts?si=8pOWWeeCR1y4CZUh
There were highlights…. Seeing Junior and his mates having a good afternoon despite the so-called football and getting my old Fiesta into a seriously tight space very close to the ground without resorting to the Parisian ‘nudge-nudge’ method of parking. But that ref? What an absolute fuck!
“Thank you for the invite to Thailand and a visit to that part of the world could be on the cards in next year or two. I have invented a pellet product that can remove arsenic from water – a problem that affects countries from India round to Viet Nam. A simple two chamber water filter can provide 20litres of arsenic free water per day.”
Pleasure, Norg. That’s amazing the pellet you described. Lives will be much richer for it. Thailand I imagine in the outlying regions would need the pellet. Oddly, I’m back from Udon and cancelled Ubon to watch the game in my room. It’s too big a game to miss or watch on and macbook.
Everyone here has such cool events in their lives that are wonderful to real about.
My meeting with my friend and senior govt official for the north went well. I spume you have fellow scientists working for various governments. My friend knows a lot of senior people who rallied with her for her cancer I’ve been supporting her with.
Should you need her help, I know she would be serious about helping you and your product. She has 3 very senior govt agency brothers so tentacles everywhere with her family.
KP, I would imagine your ears are fine, just under used. Sorry about the football but tomorrow will make it better… I think well hoping really…….
expect*
Newcastle definitely going to be looking for a new manager come the summer.
Interested to know everyone’s thoughts on the penalty Newcastle have just been awarded for a “foul” by Calvin Phillips.
For me not a pen.
Shit on the Villa v Wanky Wanderers. I’d like to see the men in Amber (or whatever that nasty fucking colour is called) prevail.
New post.
I have to say my gut is telling me we will pick up 3 points tonight and take the fight to Lpool.
Pep is crying we have it easier than poor Pep and his pampered bunch of prima donnas. All gamesmanship of course but Pep going full blown “Poor Me” is music to my ears because psychologically, it could get in his players head.
When you add by looking at their current injuries, if Stones, Walker and KDB are really injured, we should be able to attack their left flank with impunity and speed depending if our flying Martinelli is also fit. Even so we have the squad to score goals if El B uses his squad properly.
Often when a top side uses youth they do well because the youth players play differently. I hope tonight El B has tactics for that eventually.
For us they say late fitness test for both Gabs and Saka, which probably means they will start.
A full fit squad for us is what Pep is bitching about. Can’t wait to see the points eventual deduction have Pep deciding on his future.
Without Walker we can exploit their left side. I’d prefer to see ESR at 8 but obviously Havertz will get the nod. Partey took part in a behind-the-scenes game against Fulham which we lost, so has some fitness to help shut out the game with Rice.
I can see us winning 4:1 if we play like we did when we beat Pool.
That’s my 10 cents worth: a win and mount more pressure on Klopp and make their fans whinge more than normal.
TRVL would be interested to know how you’d set up for this game?
Marc enjoy the liquid game lol
KP Trust in me (Think Jungle Book)
Norg I’m sticking with 4:1 win for us especially with Walker, KDB and Stones are out. Even with them City have looked stale. It will be all down to El B because we have the players and there free scoring at will form.
Anything but 3 points will be a big let down for me.
See you all at the game…….
https://www.besoccer.com/team/injuries-suspensions/manchester-city-fc