I’m finally done with the rituals that comes with having a kid in our culture. A month at my ancestral village, with AQI in double digits, fruits and veggies from the farm, empty roads and no honking, clear and visible night sky – things that are “normal” for them were something “awesome” for me. Made up my mind, 10 years and I will go back to where I was born.
But, before that, are we going to WIN? City are only 2 points behind us with 10 games to go. Last couple of months have looked familiar, we have seen it 3 times under Mikel and we dropped points to Wolves and Brentford. We did win NLD but hey, their ex-manager is calling them ‘spursy’ on podcasts these days and it’s hardly a contest in recent time.
Today’s a challenge. Anything but a win and City will be level on points. I don’t see us making it from there, Pep knows how to win things when it matters. And Chelsea are not going to make it easy for us. All we have to do is win our games, let them drop points before we do, and then we can think of winning the league this year.
Kai and Merino are out. Ben White is a doubt but hopefully we won’t miss him. I would personally go with the same playing XI we had against Tottenham. Calafiori in place of Hincapie can be OK, but lets not go back to Odegaard. Eze did well, and he needs couple of games in the #10 role to truely dominate games. He is our only players apart from Martinelli who got creativity outside of Mikel’s system and can do something on his own. The first goal against Spurs was a brilliant one and that short of ball wins you game.
Gyokeres has finally picked up. He scored 2 brilliant goals against Spurs and was moving better through out the game. Frankly I was disappointed so far with him, but he has got 10 games + CL + FA Cup + Carabao Cup games to prove me wrong.
Right, I will keep it short but I promise I will be more active. 3 very exciting months ahead for us, where we can win everything. Lets hope we do.
https://share.google/vjfJhZzz9sRc8Ov5x
If, like me, you’re getting equally intense frissons of joy from Tottenham’s auto destruction as you are from our competitiveness despite having an over emotional, egotistical turd of a manager, then you’ll enjoy this.
It suggests the club has sold it’s soul for money, the players are utter shit bags (who knew?) and it has forsaken poor little spuddies in order to chase ever more filthy lucre.
My prayer mat is being prepared for their game at Anfield. 🙏 I’m an ardent, self-pitying, whingeing Scouser with a massive Californian red wood on my shoulder on Sunday. And if WH and Forest can pick up points…
If we win the League cup I think we will also win the Premiership. The two trophies have often gone to the same team. Europe is a different scenario – when it comes to the sharp end there are a few teams that know how to get the job done – I am not sure if our manager has it in him to guide the team to the final and lift the trophy.
A bonus will be to see the Lillywhites drop out of the premiership.
Pricksy—nice try you trolling fuckstick…if I actually thought you had something to add to the conversation I might engage, but you’re still a know-nothing cut and paste dime a dozen lightweight…the fact that you tried to give the impression that you pored over the tape then provided your analysis of several matches, including some that were on at the same time, simply highlights your weaselly nature…your rearview mirror recycled takes have about as much substance as something you might find scrawled on a bathroom wall…next time simply state your name then type yada, yada
Marc
“What happened to the PL being the strongest league in Europe and it being a really strong season? ”
6 teams in the last 16 = strongest league in Europe..
We may end up with only 1or 2 in the last 8
but don’t be surprised if city are very close to qualifying come next week,
3-0 flattered Madrid, I also wouldn’t write off Newcastle..
The other top teams in europe certainly benefit from playing in a weaker league..
Wicksy
Where did I write off Newcastle?
6 teams in the last 16 doesn’t mean shit if when you come to the serious stage of the competition 3 or 4 of them go out with several being humiliated. As Norg says there are teams who know how to get the job done and they know all that matters in the early stages is getting through – its lifting the trophy that counts.
Interesting view NORG. Clearly we’re in the running still for 2 big and 2 small trophies. We have to win at least one of the former. Winning only 1 or both of the latter won’t cut any ice I’m afraid. It was a completely different time when we did that domestic cup double over Sheffield Wednesday in the early 90s.
Lots of local friends who know me as an incurable Arsenal fan keep asking what the team will win (as if I have a fucking clue!). Answer is to keep scrum as far as possible. As you know, I don’t usually hesitate to offer opinions (!) but this sitting on the fence and being non-committal is really testing. I’ve been willing myself to dwell more on the 5th trophy (spuds ⬇️) to try and deflect things a little.
Scrum? Schtum!
Everton’s away record is very good , only 2nd behind Arsenal in the league, there is a lot of noise going around that they are going to cause an upset today at the Emirates due to their impressive away form and this is how I see it.
Everton will come with a low block …guaranteed. Arsenal will need to show patience as Everton are strong in transition, unfortunately that means we will have to control the game with possession football , aimlessly crossing the ball into the box is not an option as they tend to play with 4 centre backs in a back 4, also giving away silly free kicks in midfield shouldn’t be an option as Everton will pump free kicks into the box.
The Arsenal crowd could play an important part as they need to stick with the team and not become frustrated if we don’t take too many risks with the ball especially in the first hour or so .
Of course an early goal for Arsenal changes everything as Everton will have to come out and play.
Sometimes when a team like Everton are on such a good away run of form it can come to an abrupt end with a heavy defeat , could that be the case today.
To all sense and purposes it looks like it will be a nervy affair but the hope is an early goal in our favour will prove decisive. 1-0 to the Arsenal
Wicksy
We’re well into the final run in where fatigue (both mental and physical) could start to play a part – not just for Arsenal but City as well. Everton will have an advantage of being well rested, City are up against a team in a relegation battle.
Both us and City have a big week ahead – I really have no idea how the weekends results will pan out but there’s some very interesting matches outside of the title race, the suns shining and we have a Grand Prix.
Its a great weekend of televised sport.
Marc
For me the title will be won or lost in our next 5 league games, a period when we have 4 home games v Everton , Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham with city away .
City’s next 5 league games in comparison are 4 away , west ham, Chelsea, Burnley and Everton with Arsenal at home .
Of course the result at city is vital, anything other than a defeat is good but it’s the 4 home games where we really need to push home the advantage, I don’t for one second think that the title is done , we are not dominating games and are just scraping by , what we really need is a confidence booster offensively maybe against Leverkusen where it all clicks and we run riot. A negative result today will certainly have the vultures circling in their desperation to see Arsenal fail
Yes, lots of good sport this weekend including the golf.
Wicksy
We’re not looking great but City look pretty ordinary – certainly not the machine of a couple of seasons ago.
I still think the League Final could play a psychological part if it finishes with a decisive victory. My guess is it’ll be a tight game with a tight margin because of this.
Arteta starting Havertz up top.
Why pay £60 million for a striker to not start him in must win matches.
Ref letting a fair bit go which always worries me that they’ll suddenly remember they’ve got cards in their pockets.
Everton giving us a game.
Moyes v Moyes and the original Moyes is doing better so far.
Marc
Fans can only pressure him to buy a CF. It’s upto him to play Havertz or Jesus.
It was a good shout the other day, to play Saka in midfield and Madueke in front of him.. we could have looked much better with only one of Rice and Zubimendi on the pitch at any point of time.
Timber has spent more time in the middle than down the right.
What is Arteta’s fucking obsession with full backs moving into the middle.
Timber being subbed. Our woes have started?
Marc
If it wasn’t for Havertz, Mikel would have been playing him as CF
Ambarish
I think that’s the case. Arteta didn’t really want a big name striker but knew the fans would go apeshit if he didn’t buy one.
If Havertz had been fit all season you have to wonder how many minutes Gyokeres would have seen.