Top of the league

Top of the league

We are top of the league
Said we are top of the league
We are top of the league
Said we are top of the league
We are top of the league
Said we are top of the league…

Might be too early to sing it but then, WHY NOT! We beat Bournemouth comfortably in our third game of the season, sitting on top with 9 points out of 9 and we have earned it. Here’s how it looks –

If you look at other results like Newcastle keeping City to a 3-3 draw, Leeds beating Chelsea 3-0, Crystal Palace restricting Liverpool to a 1-1 draw, Brentford massacring United 4-0 and Liverpool sharing points again with Fulham, you would feel all our wins were earned.

Bournemouth was the easiest one out of 3. We completely dominated the game and almost confirm our win within first 20min.

Odegaard gave us a lead in 5th minute of the game. Jesus showed some brilliance in the midfield by carrying the ball through 3 Bournemouth players and linking up with Martinelli. His shot was saved by Odegaard was at the right place at the right time to convert the rebound in his first goal of the season.

Next goal came soon enough in 11th minute with another Odegaard brace. Ben White delivered a ball to Jesus who first touch was poor but Odegaard was again at the right place to put it in the net.

I can’t talk enough about our third. Saliba, the kid who was sung for half the game scored a once in a year goal from his weaker foot from the edge of the box. It was brilliant, crowd loved it, fans watching at home loved it, and Will Saliba loved it.

Bournemouth presented some challenged in later half of the game, Ramsdale looked a bit shaky again but I’m sure that’s been monitored and coached. It was good to see ESR and Tomi getting some game time and to be frank, I won’t mind if Tomi replaces White at some point of time. Special shout to Zinchenko, the lad has been phenomenal for us and his and Jesus has given the team a winning edge which we had been missing.


Wanna hear the good part? We are playing Fulham and Aston Villa next, both at home and winnable. I know on a given day anything can happen but if we managed to win these 2, that would be a perfect start of our season.

Rumours are that we are in the market for a winger and Tielemans interest has not died down yet, if we manage to add Tielemans in our line up, it would cover the only weak spot in our playing XI. Bit of luck in terms of injuries and if referee decides not to fuck us up, we might be in a good run this season.

Second place at worst. Winning the league at stars align. I’m critical but optimistic, lets hope we do a unbelievable this season.

Wrapping up

I have done a makeover for London is Red. Texts are better readable now on both mobile devices and desktops. Website adapts to different screen sizes and comments/texts fonts are larger a bit making it easier for my readers.

I would love to hear your feedback about the change. If something is broken, do let me know.

30 Comments

  1. Aitcho

    “We are top of the league!”
    I don’t care, I’m going to revel in it. The Lolerpool result makes it even more fun.

    The Manu game might not be the gimme it seemed a week ago but if boys can maintain focus until international week we’ll be well placed going into the derby.

    Forwards.

  2. Kroenkephobe

    Ambarish
    The re-design is cool. It’ll take a bit of getting used to but if this old technophobe (ie me) can manage it…

    We should make the most of our time at the top and the fact that the team is firing and meshing together well. We look dangerous, energetic and organised.

    I’ve nothing to substantiate this theory (so please shoot it to bits anyone) but I’m wondering if the topsy turvy table has something to do with the WC (yes that again) subconsciously getting into the minds of the players. The top 6 has the most international stars I assume and it could be that the ones expecting to go to Qatar are taking it slightly more cautiously in order to avoid injury. That it doesn’t seem to have affected Arsenal players thus far is positive news. I’m all about club football, internationals are a distraction. Given the timing of this bullshit tournament, it’s going to have several unintended consequences I think. That we have grasped the nettle and are exuding positivity augurs well and the club psychologists and medical team need to contribute towards making sure that all of our WC attending players are in good physical and mental condition when the season resumes.

    It’s very early if course and the nature of the fixtures and the opponents have a massive bearing. Chelsea have had the toughest start among the big teams in my view. The rest of us are probably the same in terms of difficulty.

    Saturday feels like it ought to be a win. Fulham are no great shakes. An ersatz version of Arsenal. Keep Mitrovic quiet and we certainly win I think. Another season of strong home form will be key.

    Good Times. LiR looks even fresher and we’re not just top on pre-season alphabetical order.

  3. Ambarish K

    Aitcho

    ‘We are top of the league’. We will celebrate it because we fucking can (in the voice of Tomi Shelby from Peak Blinders in Birmingham accent).

  4. Ambarish K

    KP

    Thanks for the feedback, I have to remove some ads, I noticed there are too many on top with hardly any $$ 😅

    World cup is a motivation for some of the Brazilians. However, I think Jesus and Zinchenko does have that fighting mentality which won’t go soft even when the cup is over. In project youth, we have one positive and it is that players don’t have a ‘lets play for once more’ thing. E.g. I trust Martinelli to dream of CL if he wins PL with us. On the other hand, can you say the same for Casemiro?

  5. Marc

    Firstly the sites looking really good Ambarish.

    Apparently Arsenal are on a UEFA watchlist for teams who could breach FFP rules – ironic doesn’t even come close!

  6. Kroenkephobe

    Hi Ambarish
    I don’t think any of us would have any complaints if you make further efforts to recoup some costs through advertising. Marketing is ubiquitous on the Internet and you deserve a share of it just as much, if not more than others.

    Marc – Financial doping? Nous? Merde alors et sacre bleu! This’ll have Wengo fiddling with his zip in perpetuity.

    Ambarish
    Agree about Zinchenko’s positive attitude. He won’t be at the WC though in any case. Bale and Co knocked Ukraine out…

  7. Kroenkephobe

    Ambarish
    Just a suggestion. Why not go behind enemy lines and announce the LiR revamp on some rival sites? Let them know it’s a forum for honest, transparent and good-natured discussion about the Arsenal.

  8. Marc

    Kroenke

    Are you suggesting he goes on Le Bullshit and describes LiR as where you can have an opinion not get one?

  9. Marc

    Kroenke

    On a serious note with the loss of revenue during the pandemic and the surprising levels of transfer spending popping up on the radar of FFP doesn’t exactly shock me.

    What it does lay wide open is the piss poor level of outgoing transfers and contracts offered to players who suddenly become the wrong fit. Just how much money has Arteta pissed up the wall like this?

    It’s got to be in the tens of millions.

  10. Kroenkephobe

    Hi Marc
    Yes, I think I am. He might also try converting some of the kool-aid drinkers that hang upside down in the cave where Attwood produces Unsold Anusol.

    Good point about FFP. If we’d actually sold players for decent fees, there’d have been some offset. That’s the one thing I’ll never understand about the Kroenkes – for high level capitalists, they’re completely shit at the money making game.

  11. Killroy-TM

    The redesign is top notch and love it. Just don’t loose the Almunia sarcastic pieces.

    Win against Fullham and we will go into the last few days of the TW with a perfect record which should be attractive to any players wanting to join.

  12. Kroenkephobe

    Hi Ambarish
    Talking of ads on LiR, I pissed myself laughing this morning. There is one for Tottenham Stadium Hospitality at the top!

  13. Marc

    ” Just don’t loose the Almunia sarcastic pieces.”

    Anyone heard from Almunia lately?

  14. Kroenkephobe

    Arsenal at home to Brighton in the Carabao Cup. A good test.

  15. Marc

    Kroenke

    That’ll be a tough test. Will Brighton rotate? Will Arteta shit the bed and go full strength because he’s hedging his bets even after all the money he’s spent?

  16. Kroenkephobe

    Hi Marc
    My hunch is that they’ll both field slightly weaker XIs. We OUGHT to have a better team on paper and there’ll be home advantage. As long as we don’t meet City, I think we ought to give the Carabao a serious go. It’s a valid way of hedging against an early FA Cup exit. Moreover, surely we’ve got decent first and second teams after spending all of Uncle Stan’s dosh.

    I assume you’ll be there Saturday evening. Any thoughts? We’re surely too strong right (you can probably tell I’m getting the wobbles…).

  17. Marc

    Hi Kroenke

    Yeah I’m there Saturday – well if we don’t beat Fulham I’ll be shocked. What’s going to be interesting is what happens with ManU now? Was Monday just a reaction to Brentford and a bit of being against Liverpool, if Ten Haag does start to turn them round the match in a couple of weeks is going to be huge.

  18. TheLegendaryDB10

    Nice site redesign Amba!!

    Not that I had any issue with your site in the first place, but the font is easier on the eye and makes it easier to read.

    On the Arsenal front, really, really happy with where we are now.

    Still a lot of work to do, but I genuinely feel that we can be a surprise threat this season.

    All boils down, among other things, on whether Arteta can keep this team fresh through rotation and ensure we keep the same level of intensity to match the level of the team in front of us.

    We do that, who knows where we can finish in the top 4!

  19. Kroenkephobe

    DB
    I agree that we’re on the up. The real gauge will come when we play others in the top echelons. Will we compete in tight games, respond meaningfully if we go behind, and show some character and fight in the process? Bournemouth were a bit of a pushover, but Palace and Leicester provided some challenge. We really ought to be winning later against Fulham with some ease. I don’t want my a-hole to be making those funny squeaking noises in the last 15 minutes because it upsets my neighbours…

    The big question for me is what will happen when we concede first this season ? That Wolves home game last year was the only come from behind win iirc. Our defence looks more solid so let’s hope there are fewer occasions when we need to but the trajectory is really positive.

    With two games in five days, it’s the chance for Arteta to show he knows how to use his squad. At the very least he needs to make subs earlier even if he puts the same XI out for both games. Better times.

  20. Kroenkephobe

    Arsenal u18s beating their spud counterparts 3 nil at half time. More pleasing on field activities.

  21. Hoopah

    Man City are 2-0 down to CP before half time. There is something specifically crafted to EPL in Patrick Viera. Defending well and flying off at the break

  22. Kroenkephobe

    Hoopah
    Hi mate. I hope you’re observing exactly the same routine as last week to help keep this good run going. Same seat, same number if beers, same underpants…. All that kind of thing. I’m going to ask Ms Kroenkephobe to leave the room in a minute because she didn’t watch the Bournemouth game. She’s going to kill me.

    Shame that CP couldn’t get over the line. I think a certain Mr Rodgers at Leicester may be feeling anxious about his job prospects.

    Score prediction? I’m going for 3-0 again. Jesus with 2 and Martinelli. Partey and Zinchenko out with injuries – any idea what’s happened?

  23. Kroenkephobe

    Some more good news. Just got home from watching my local semi-pro
    team Haverfordwest County beat the oddly named Broughton Airbus UK in the Welsh Premier League. They’re also top after three games.

  24. Hoopah

    😂😂 Kroenkephobe
    Same schedule…. but sorry no underpants.. guess pyjamas don’t qualify.
    Arsenal match coming up

  25. Hoopah

    Thought that fellow was going to hit a volley up Xakha balls as he properly bended over and lifted his leg up. Then saw it wasn’t Kroenkephobe playing

  26. Hoopah

    Saliba is passing only as far as the right or left backs today. Strictly nothing beyond. Considering the pass accuracy of Saliba and range today we are missing out on a faster progression of the ball. Let us see how generational regression of a player plays out

  27. Hoopah

    Xakha misses a sitter. Pass from Jesus, pre-assist from Odegard. Players love Leno who is in Fulham goal?

  28. Hoopah

    Where are the rest of fellow fornicators today?

    March can go either way, but Arsenal got better players. Their CB is quite precise in interceptions

  29. Hoopah

    Thanks. Going there

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