Half of the boring international break is over and only six more days left of misery before the Premier League resumes. We are going to visit Brentford and judging by the way we play after a break, it’s not going to be an easy one. Bees are anyway a very tough opponent with Thomas Frank sticking to old-school, no non-sense football that runs vertical. If you want to name one team no one likes to play against, it’s the Brentford.
About one- third of the season is over and it usually gives us a good perspective of where different teams stand and who are involved in the title run.
We are in the title race with joint second on points with Liverpool and one point behind Man City. After a poor season, Klopp must have reintroduced the high caffeine diet back and the results are showing. They have been a bit lucky too. Tottenham, on the other hand, had a new manager bounce but it’s ended now and pretty soon they will be back to where they belong, a fight for Europa Conference League spot. Man United is not going to be good for a foreseeable time. Newcastle are suffering from injuries and there’s no one else I think will be part of the fight. Sorry, Chelsea aren’t even in the screenshot so lets not talk about them for now.
Unlike last season, it’s a three horse race now. Pools are not going to back down, Pep is always part of the challenge and we are continuing our previous season form. Leave City out of it, the other two clubs performance depends highly on how they manage their players and what little injuries they suffer. Judging by the recent points tallies, the narrative of ‘lets not drop 3 points’ has changed to ‘lets get those 3 points’ – a draw is a loss because it’s going to get tougher.
We have got 8 games before New Year and if we managed to get 20 points out of available 24, we would be in a much better situation for the second half of the season. Games against Brentford, Wolves, Luton, Villa, Brighton, West Ham and Fulham can be considered winnable while the visit to Anfield will decide who remains closer to City.
Plus, we have to manage our Champions League games though we are in a much better situation till the round of 16 starts.
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In other news, Aaron Ramsdale dad decided to go on a podcast to criticize the club and Mikel about how they were not transparent about their plans in bringing David Raya just after 2 months of offering them a contract renewal. Well, Ramsdale had a drop in performance, he wasn’t improving anymore and it’s still too early to judge whether Raya will turn out to be better than him, I think the club and Mikel has got that authority to improve on players. You fight for your place and if you are better than the other, you play ahead of him. It’s as simple as that.
Except when your name reads Kai Havertz. You will play no matter what, there will be positions created for you and since you just played in a LB position for your country, we will suddenly have game plans where Havertz at LB will be the real deal.
Thomas Partey injury has baffled me. It’s time to move on now, from one of the best players in recent years. ESR, the same. I have been a big fan of both of them, but with their injuries we are limited to not bring in a replacement. An injured horse is of no use. Sad to say but we need to move on – get some money back off Partey and make some on ESR. I would have loved seeing ESR in place of Odegaard in that LCM role but it’s not going to happen now.
Couple more months and we might see Timber back in the squad. Zinchenko has been Mikel’s favorite for the LB position but I personally like Tomiyasu more in that role, simply because he is a bit defender and has a Honda engine in him.
We spent 100 odd millions on Declan Rice and it has turned out to be a good deal. Had Partey been injury free, our only worries would have a CF who can score and a back up to Saka (Marquinhos?). But we need a back to Declan Rice and a competition to Odegaard along with CF and Saka’s back up. Lots of positions to fix and it might have to wait till the next summer.
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Right, that’s all for today. If you are an Aussie reading this, congratulations on the world cup win and you can fuck off (sorry).
Cheers
Ambarish-thanks for providing something of import during this loathsome break…just a few rather “brief” retorts to your above comments:
(1) as a meritocrat I would typically agree with your Ramsdale sentiments if it weren’t for a couple mitigating factors, most importantly the fact that Raya has underperformed since arriving in North London…he’s been sloppy at times playing out from the back, he’s not at Ramsdale’s level when it comes to shot stopping and he’s provided very little from a field-stretching perspective…furthermore, I would very much doubt that Ramsdale wasn’t given some assurances, prior to his re-upping, as we all know MA’s predilictions in this regards…now this would be largely a moot point if there was any evidence that a “competition” actually existed, but it appears as if the “real” assurances were only given to the incoming Raya and MA simply told Ramsdale’s camp what they wanted to hear just in case things with Raya never materialized
(2) in regards to Havertz, I wouldn’t be surprised whatsoever if MA utilized him as an inverted LB or RB, as he’s almost run out of excuses for his continued inclusion in the midfield or up top…at least if he were being deployed in deeper-lying positions any conversations surrounding his inability to score would be significantly lessoned…what a waste of space and resources…once again when everyone with a footballing brain zigs, MA fucking zags…this could legitimately become a multi-season stumbling block kind of purchase, as we really needed to a Xhaka upgrade, yet somehow, someway MA managed to find the only 70M player who could seemingly make people like myself, who wanted Granit gone some years ago, wish he was back in the fold
(3) as for the whole Partey “injury”, I have my suspicions about the legitimacy of this particular situation…so let’s dig a little deeper…Partey appears to be on the move in the summer, yet we wanted nothing to do with selling him without a sizeable return, which always seemed unlikely considering his age, injury history and possible “off field” issues…next thing you know he’s being deployed as an inverted LB, which we saw briefly at the end of last season with shockingly poor results…as a result, he received a lot of unjustified criticism from Arteta’s most ardent loyalists, even though the tactics were all wrong…then when it became clear that Havertz couldn’t be deployed as a proper box-to-box midfielder, so we needed a DM tandem, Jorginho was picked ahead of him…just think, the match prior to any talk about his “injury”, he was on the bench as an available sub, yet somehow he picked up an injury when he wasn’t even playing or practicing…personally I think Jorginho inclusion was the final straw for Partey and this is just their way of managing the situation in-house…after all, if he had some sort of long-term “mysterious” injury, why would there be any chatter regarding a potential move come the winter window…in my estimation, he’s just another member of the Arteta doghouse gang
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Sorry, Ambarish, but my break while Arteta is at the club is in full on mode, and I’m actually happier for it.
My daily blood pressure readings are all normal now and my Garmin sleep analysis is firmly in the good range from fair to poor previously. My hospital has tested my BP cuff and Garmin app readings and they are pretty close and certainly close enough for me to check for certain early warning signs I have to live with.
I’m not as angry in my core that ultimately determines my moods. I’ve given 60 years of my loyalty, love and life to my club. I see A&E as a blip in Arsenals illustrious history and I will be back after A&E have gone if I’m still alive. If Arteta stays a decade I’ll be 73.
They say misery loves company and I want to be upbeat and appositive for my remaining years; I’ve got no room for misery Arteta brings to the poor players.
Other than hoping you’ve sent TRVL my personal note to him, is there a special road in India to drive that is spectacular for pictures/video and yet a safe region to travel by road?
I’m going on a global photographic journey to take National Geography type pictures with people’s emotions being my speciality. I see what others don’t.
I’ve invited a good friend who’s probably the best room calibrator in the world to tune the supercar’s sound system and we are going to hire to drive from Geneve to Lake Como making video and filming.
If you have an Indian road in mind, and want in for the ride, tell me by email. Sometime next year or the year after. I will have gone to Nepal by then.
I have 6 drives in total and I’ve earmarked TRVL & KP for 2 to talk about.
TRVL
I don’t know if photography is on your list of likes, but I’ve been clicking away for 50+ years with decent kit, but now I want to explore Hasselblad’s new offerings and the other Japanese 100mp SLR video and stills I can use Hasselblad lens with. After 5 years I’d love to show in a gallery if I feel the pics are good enough. I’m Alexa and Red aware, too.
I think it would be a lot of fun for us because anyone can take good pics at any age, past 8. My daughter is living proof of that.
KP
I’ll give you my thoughts on the other channel.
Ambarish I feel the world is at such a crazy tilt that football just isn’t the same for me. Maybe it’s just different eras where it was more personal in being inspiring. If your team won, you were happy at least at the start of the following week. It’s all we had really. No internet or SM and 3 channels on TV that stopped at midnight.
As good old Jimmy Greave would say it’s a funny old game. Life is like that, too.
Be well all.
TRVL
I think having two top class goalkeeper is criminal, it has never worked and we all were suspecting it won’t with Ramsdale v Raya. We have seen it earlier with Emi and Leno.
However, we wouldn’t have asked Thomas Partey when we went into the market for Declan Rice, Ramsdale dad asking to be told about Raya incoming is not how it should work.
Regarding the performances, it will be clear in couple of months whether Raya is better than Ramsdale or not. I don’t have any problem with either of them, looks to be of same calibre,.Raya has that calmness a bit but the euphoria Ramsdale brings has it’s own merits.
Upto Mikel.
2. Havertz – we all know Mikel will play him in Goal if there is no other options lol. A Willian Sagar being repeated.
3. Are you suggesting there is bad blood between Mikel and Partey? Very well could be, but I think the manager has just given up.. just like me. Excellent player who can’t keep himself fit so let’s fix that by selling him and getting a replacement.
Hi Tony,
Let me know whenever you are this side of the world. I know exactly a place ‘Leh Laddakh’, perfect for bike rides in cold chilling weather amidst beautiful hills.
Sorry, I haven’t forwarded it yet to TRVL.
@TRVL – let me know if I can forward that and I will. Sorry I can’t use the email address / any other details unless I have the consent.
I thought you would Ambarish I will do my best to take you up on that.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Leh+Laddakh&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
There is something mystical about mountains more than the oceans I’ve always felt.
No worries, TRVL should ask you when he’s free. He said he was happy to earlier.
Thanks for all you do here. 🙂
I want to keep LIR hopeful and I feel I’m unable to do that and I don’t do trolling or like non stop negativity that comes from me re Arteta. When I let on how much it upsets and angers me drawing on past similar feelings, I’m accused of being ‘poor me’. The irony is compelling.
I found I can read and enjoy LIR now in a better way by distancing myself from the reality because I enjoy the posters.
This would be a fun one, KP. Would work nicely for you 4 to 5 days. Patetre?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bordeaux,+France/Barcelona,+Spain/@43.9074579,-1.398616,706884m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m15!4m14!1m5!1m1!1s0xd5527e8f751ca81:0x796386037b397a89!2m2!1d-0.57918!2d44.837789!1m5!1m1!1s0x12a49816718e30e5:0x44b0fb3d4f47660a!2m2!1d2.168568!2d41.3873974!3e0!5i2?entry=ttu
Hi Tony
Agreed. Those two routes are beautiful. They offer completely different things according to the time of year. Hope all is well and that your pre-match rituals are going to plan.
I’ve just watched Kroenkephobe junior help grind out a 2-2 draw this afternoon at home to St Clears. He took some really nice Trossard-esque corners one of which led to a goal. Pembrokeshire county second division…the stuff of legends! You tuning in later?
I think we’ve been here before… Win tonight and we’ll be top. The truth of the matter is that we’ve historically blown these opportunities during Tets’s time – let’s have no fuck-ups today.
Tony
Cardiff were 1 down against 10 man Preston going into added time. Won 2-1. Fucking massive result for the Bluebirds! 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦
Why didn’t I go?
Hey KP life is project and we’re at phase too many to remember so it’s ok. I just watched a delayed City Pool draw and really enjoyed the game. It reminded me more of 80/90s football. The stuff we’re starved of at the top level. When was the last time you got your colour vision checked or is it me? Those bluebirds look flamed red to me.
Not sure if I’ll make the 2nd half and watch it delayed in the morning. Much to tell next week.
Enjoy, KP, TRVL, Killroy and all LIR lifers.
Oh, and Cardiff’s GK today?
None other than Runnar Runnarson. Wonders will never cease!
Your prediction KP?
KP Cardiff may well sign Ramsdale as back up to Runnerson.
2nd half in the morning for me. Same shit different day.
Flaky VAR check. All the 3 were onside when the ball was played
Not too bad an overall display save for Runnar Ramsdale in goal! Funny to see such an erstwhile cocksure goalkeeper with newfound shattered confidence. I think he’s signed his P45 based on that first half. It’ll be interesting to see if they look for a new no. 2 GK or if they muddle through with Hein.
For non UK readers, a P45 is a tax form you’re given when you leave a job. Just to clear up that accounting point.
Hoopah All right mate? It’s fucking freezing in Wales. I hope you’re enjoying some pleasant temperatures in Goa State. I’m going medieval on my own ass this winter and getting sewn into my underwear until Easter.
I think we’ll get a goal ir two in the second half. 🤞
Oh Tony
Those birds definitely look blue on my screen. But red ones will do as well. Terrific result this afternoon.
Expect Almunia to re-brand himself as Ramsdalesaynomore any day now….
Am I the only Gooner who looks at Raya and just sees nostrils? It’s haunting me.
” Am I the only Gooner who looks at Raya and just sees nostrils? It’s haunting me. ”
😄 It is entertaining to be in LiR
Oopsie
Arteta is getting his good old rusty trusty canhão de mar Havertz ready for fire
0-1
Cannon fired one in
By the way who is the cute Arsenal staff ?
Not a medical staff. So who ?