Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen! A lot has happened in this year already and we are only a week into it. We beat Brighton comfortably on the new year eve, but then shared points with New Castle in what can be a called a disaster of refereeing. We have also upped our bid for Mudryk but Shaktar thinks we are Manchester United who will overpay for anything and want us to fork a 100m+ for a 22 year old player who has A LOT to prove.
First thing first, we are still enjoying our TOP OF THE TABLE stature. We are only 2 game short of half-of-the-season and sitting comfortably at the top with 44 points.
That’s five points ahead of Man City.
For the next 4 games, we have to play Spu*s (A), United (H), Everton (A), Brentford (H). City on the other hand has United (A), Spu*s (H), Wolves (H), Spu*s (A) and one extra game against Villa at home before they play us at Emirates on 16th of Feb.
Both of our game against Spu*s and United are winnable but are going to be tough. Same with City, playing a Derby has always been a lost cause for them. United for once, can do us a favor, a tough one this is.
Our game against them will be a six pointer. If, and that’s a big If, we managed to beat them, it would not only give us a 3 point advantage against the previous year winners but also instill that confidence among players to push an extra bit for the title.
I’m being too hopeful here but never say never. Not when you are 5 points ahead of the best team assembled in recent years against the best manager on the planet with the best striker in the world!
Coming back to the New Castle game, I would have been happy if we shared points on merits. Refereeing was sh*t and someone needs to do something about it. You can’t grab the collar of a player and pull his tshirt to an extent where he won’t know if he is wearing it inside out! What confuses me even more is the VAR’s role. It was obvious as a day, and should have been a penalty. Arteta made sure he was heard and here’s my middle finger to the disciplinary action being taken against the club.
I am not really in favor of Arteta shouting on the touchline, but hey, that was a cheating and needed to be called out.
I still remember my last year’s article and there is no improvement – Same Old Arsenal, Same Old Referee
Right, onto the Mudryk situation. Rumour has it that we had put up a second, improvised bid which Shaktar thinks is not enough. Well, Edu needs to sit with them and make them realise that we are talking about a 22-year old playing in Ukrainian League. Do they realise that what they are asking was paid for Eden Hazard in his prime who had won everything with Chelsea and was in the top 10 players at that point of time?
And, someone needs to sit with Edu and remind him the priority. We need a Partey’s back up first, Xhaka’s competition and a CF because Eddie alone can’t play twice a week. I know Jesus will be back, but we still need a CF. 3 strikers may be a lot this season, but we are qualifying for Champions League and we would need it soon.
If you say we can use our academy to fill Partey and Xhaka’ position, I won’t mind but where are they? Can we see them having a bit of game time in FA cups and towards the end of Premier League games when we are in a comfortable winning position?
Ok, a lot of frustrations but that 2 points loss against New Castle has rattled me. Lets hope we bounce back and thrash the Spu*s at toilet bowl.
See you in the comments!
Yes Tony. Agree about Jeff Beck. I can’t say there is a massive overlap in the venn diagram between his work and my music tastes but Hi Ho Silver Lining is a great bit of popular music.
I took junior to Molyneux last year to watch Wolves play Sheff Utd. We were happily sat among Wolves fans (nb a great ground for football purists).
I knew that hhsl is sung before the game almost like an anthem. The silver lining neatly replaced by ‘Wolverhampton’. Same at Villa (although I think Beck is a native of Wolverhampton). Anyway I got up with the massed ranks to sing while junior was looking at me intensely embarrassed and suspecting I didn’t know the words. He was grudgingly impressed afterwards when I joined everyone in belting it out. A good afternoon that one.
Hi Tony
Cheque book managers tend to have it easy don’t they? You could say but what about Potter but I think his squad has been foisted on him. He was clearly getting a tune out of his Seagulls and developing their talents (although they tended to go on some horrible runs in his time) but the Chelsea position looks like a poisoned chalice with Boehly. Tets has had two sea changes in strategy in his time at Arsenal and somehow survived the chop. Any other coach at any other club gets one chance. He’s a lucky little fella. Petulant Pep screaming for more money for players is grotesque and gives the lie to the suggestion he’s the best of all managers. If you’ve got all that natural talent in your squad success becomes less about coaching and more about just keeping everybody happy.
If Gunnerdouzi goes to Villa for the kind of fees being discussed it further underlines how wrong the club was to let him go. That’s all down to the basque bantamweight.
I hope the top brass are now saying to Arteta that we’ve backed you, you’re top so finish the job off or there will be chastisements. Let him feel some managerial pressure for a change.
Kroenke
If you’re not familiar with the track check out “Heart Full of Soul” by the Yardbirds fantastic guitar by Beck.
One of those tracks that should really be longer.
KP,
The Welsh potting machine,Mark Williams,was incredible today in an epic v O’Sullivan. An absolutely wonderful game,hope you saw it. I shall retire from tipping in future!
Am watching Fulham leading v Chelski, William with a somewhat fortuitous strike. He has played far better with Fulham than he did for us. It does make me question,along with other examples,the Arteta ‘my way or the highway’ mantra. There is no doubt that the militant approach has improved us and made the squad more competitive. It has restored pride in the shirt to a certain extent. However I can’t help but feel that good managers have to be able to integrate all types of personalities into a team if real long term success is to be achieved. Arteta would have thrown Cantona out of utd. Would he have managed a Roy Keane? Would Ian Wright have survived an Arteta reign?
There are weaknesses in my argument which I acknowledge. The’ rogue genius’ type player who doesn’t conform doesn’t seem to have a place in the contemporary football world. Team players are no longer desired,they are demanded. And so Arteta is not alone in sacrificing creativity for conformity. However I can’t help but suspect that he goes further than most in desiring total control and for me that type of approach can only stifle creativity. Yes,we are scoring more,have more points etc,but the bar was very low. Ask yourself this. If this current team appeared in the years immediately following Wenger’s title winning teams or even in the years following the cesc,rvp,rosicky era, where would it stand in the parthenon of Arsenal teams? Would we be waxing lyrical about it? Genuine questions,not leading ones,I hope. Because for me ,saka aside, this team is good,far better than anything in the last 6 or 7 years. But that’s it for me ,no better than that. Now they might grow into a formidable team,even a great one. But they are nowhere near that yet. Sometimes I think people have bought so much into this project youth idea that they presume constant improvement is inevitable. That is a fallacy. I know I sound like a pessimist but actually my issue is more with contemporary perspective and I’m asking you guys for yours. Is it just me an old fashioned,nostalgic grouch who will forever glorify the past and use it as a stick with which to beat this contemporary generation? Or do the rest of you think that Arsenal fans are so desperately seeking success that Messiahs and geniuses are being heralded somewhat prematurely?
Most of my Arsenal supporting friends disagree with me btw and make solid arguments in favour of Arteta and his methods. I’m still not convinced at all though. Beginning to wonder if I’ve turned into a contrarian!
The other argument I’ve often made is that in my lifetime no other Arsenal manager has been given such incredible financial backing while simultaneously being afforded such low standards in terms of success. It makes declarations of his ‘generational talent’ seem laughable to me. This Ukranian kid could cost another 70 mil. That type of spending demands a raising of the bar immediately for me. But again I’m very much alone in this thinking it would seem. All I hear is about investment,time,process,etc. Sorry now but I don’t buy that. These are terms you use when you give Alan Curbishley six shillings and three magic beans and ask him to get a groundless Charlton into the premiership and keep them there.
No Arsenal manager should be given hundreds of millions of euros to spend and a free reign to squander existing resources and then clapped on the back for taking over three years to become relevant even. And that’s not a dig at Arteta,it’s frustration at where our fans are at. The acceptance of a lowering of standards will only further damage the club.. Arteta has had a wonderful first half to this season,but put the crown away for God’s sake. Ok,done giving out now.
Did you see that Joao Felix red card? What a tool. Imagine paying North of 17 mil to have him for half a season and now he’s suspended for the next 3.Poor old Potter is in deep trouble. I hope they sack him. I like him and hate Chelsea. It’s too confusing at the moment. Kinda like when Roy Keane joined Celtic. Would Poch go there? It’s a real mess anyway that’s for sure. I’d love to have seen Brian Clough get that lot into a dressing room. Kai Havertz would have a one way ticket out the nearest window I’d suggest!
Anyone remember Richard Rufus of Charlton? This is just madness,how did it come to this?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64251280
Hi Almunia
That Richard Rufus story is bonkers. He always seemed a decent guy. Imagine fucking over your friends and family because you’re mired in financial shenanigans? It rather shocked me but emphasised the old Latin proverb radix malorum est cupiditas (the love of money is the root of all evil). That said, there is a lot worse being perpetrated in the UK at corporate level (not everyone of course but there are staggeringly high levels of corruption in the city and elsewhere). Ingerland IS the Italy of Northern Europe. 7.5 years seems harsh but who knows?
Yeah I watched the mw v ros game. Williams when on song is a joy isn’t he? I think Ronnie’s safety play became lax as it went on but some of those shots from Williams made him a deserved winner.
And his near name sake banging them in for the cottagers? Fair to say that Tets failed abjectly to get a decent tune out of Willian. And the entire Gunnerdouzi farrago is beneath contempt.
Just heard about Lisa Marie. 54 – really sad. She was a real pin-up in my opinion. I used to joke with mates about how wonderful it would be to go out with a female incarnation of the king. I don’t think I heard much of her music but, Wacko Jacko aside, she must have lived a pretty unique life.
Hi Almunia, loved this from you:
” I know I sound like a pessimist but actually my issue is more with contemporary perspective and I’m asking you guys for yours. Is it just me an old fashioned,nostalgic grouch who will forever glorify the past and use it as a stick with which to beat this contemporary generation? Or do the rest of you think that Arsenal fans are so desperately seeking success that Messiahs and geniuses are being heralded somewhat prematurely?”
That really resonated with me, Almunia. I’ve always said that I’m not going to be like the aforementioned grouchy seniors/elders in my past, and yet I find myself leaning in that direction at times. Junior and now my daughter being home keep me more balanced in my views.
However, with one exception and that’s ‘Values’. It’s not the past per se, but more the values we held before, that I judge my 2 larger than life offspring and now Pumpkin the cat who got seriously pissed off because I connected his warm wifi acting bottom water spray to an icy cold feed. The wonders of technology! Shit that cat can jump.
Only kidding Pumpkin and bum are fine. Did seriously cross my mind, though, but the fall out wouldn’t be worth it.
Today’s values are diminishing further as we plunge into the Wokeitis Revolution Period, so our younger supporters expect more and are extremely finicky with no real allegiance to anything that requires deeper under the surface thinking, if that makes sense. People today have so much choice it devalues the options available and where football suffers here is, I believe, in later gen fans wanting & expecting success overnight. Then not understanding why the success doesn’t come, so make lame excuses through lack of real knowledge. LG is a prime example of this, not so here.
Feklix’s Xhaka type brain fart, 2 footed lunge had me thinking way to make an entrance to kick off with a 3-game ban, and still get paid. Bonkers! Ah well, deprives the Chavs of his services where they can potentially drop more points.
K’phobe
The Wolves game sounded perfect I bet Junior will never forget. It’s times that that that are magical for a father and son to enjoy together. Their laughter and shrieks of happiness live with us and fortify us, well they do me.
Looks like the Mudryk rumblings are gathering pace so should be able to wrap it up in the next 2 weeks about par for us to sign a player we needed immediately, such as tomorrow would have been cool.
Big day for junior and me to enjoy tomorrow 3 games together on the sofa – something we’ve missed with the WC game timings.
I’ll be honest I got no idea how to call it tomorrow until I see the line up for both sides. Junior plays football manager now, so he’s doing his DD (doubting dad) teenage alpha training telling me stats and player info all the time.
I’m not a big Felix fan simply because he’s been poor each time I’ve seen him. Junior thinks he’ll be pulling up trees for the Chavs, me not so. The red card hasn’t helped junior’s felix plight.
That’s it. Looking forward to tomorrow’s game.
There’s a good piece on Arsenal.com about the (so-called) art exhibition. Most heart warming are the photos of former players alongside the exhibits. Charlie George, Pat Rice, Willo, Seaman, Paul Davis, Smudger, Wrighty and dear old GG to name but a few. Worth checking out.
The ‘art’ less so. It’s derivative and uninspiring.
Hi Tony
Just in case you’re making plans, NLD is Sunday. 4pm uk time. Be good to hear what you and junior think during and after the game. Come Sunday, I’ll be feeling a bit more tense but I genuinely think we have too much for them right now. If the players refuse to be overawed, and keep their discipline we’ll be OK.
I’ve got this idea in my head that you’re knitting a full red and white kit for pumpkin! 🐱
Hi K’phobe
My daughter loved the knitting Pumpkin an Arsenal beanie. Ryan bought us Arsenal Covid washable masks.
I’m absolutely buzzing about today’s football. I agree with you we should have too much for Conte’s counter football and Arteta will have been savvy enough (we hope) for extra work off the ball to cut supply to Kane, Son and Perisic.
The team sheet should pick itself with the exception of Xhaka. I’d throw in ESR with Partey. Zinko LB and Tomi RB, but White will no doubt get the nod. Ode at 10 with ESR in support of Ode with Eddie, Saka and Gabs interchanging around the edge of the box waiting for Dier to leave gaps. Looks a nice picture in my head. We’ll see what Arteta actually has in store.
My weekly PL concern is us running out off gas at around 30 minutes and then the last 20 to 30 of the 2nd half. If Arteta wants to play to such a consistent tempo pace, then he needs to be correct with his subs and the timing of putting subs on. For the latter you can only read the game as it unfolds.
Will City crumble? I hope so. Was Pep’s cry for immediate replacements a faux pas of emotion or a pathetic attempt at gamesmanship. Who cares.
I fancy a 2:1 win for Manure. The fall out from Pep will be worth the optics. 🙂
Moving on to Brighton v The Bin Dippers I’m comfortable with a 2:2 draw as is my gut feeling.
Now the all important NLD I’ll go for a 1:3 to us.
Junior & I will be in sofa attendance for all 3 games slo see you there K’phobe.
With your comment I checked my Live Score and it’s showing the NLD match twice 11:30 pm Sat and then Sun.
Thanks K’phobe. Seeing it on the Sat on LS I never bothered looking at Sunday’s games. Haven’t read the papers yet.
So Chavs v Palace hard one to predict with both on a poor run of form.
Then the NLD so see you there for that.
Even though that fernandes goal benefits us hugely,I have to say that the interpretation that Rashford wasn’t interfering with play can only have been created by people who have either never played the game or have no concept of it at all. 2-1 now to utd as I write. The stars have been aligning for us all season long.
As horrible as it is seeing utd win,that result should work in our favour,even though it puts utd only a point behind city. I’m beginning to see tomorrow’s game as season defining. Win and psychologically we are proving that the favourites tag won’t interfere with us. Lose and a Pandora’s box of criticism and doubts will be opened. I am genuinely thinking of not watching the game. I don’t know if I would survive the stress!
Hi Almunia
City losing means we can go 8 points clear is the way I’d view it. That’s got to be worth seeing and the Bin Dippers continuing their demise. Brighton played brilliantly. Best football I’ve see all season. Shame we can’t play out from the back like Brighton.
If I were Edu, I’d buy Mitoma. Kid can only get better and could slot in Xhaka’s position.
Great results for us today and amazing what new managers can do in their first year and produce quality football. Ten Hag has the dressing room now, and was my pick after Unai.
Just see the Chavs lose tomorrow and us take 3 points from WHL and it will have been the perfect weekend.
Have faith and Guinness Almunia or do the Guinness first. 🙂