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
KP Villa are the typical blow hot and cold team that Emery produces. They produce more hot than cold performances, but often disjointed performances as today.
So far Emery has spanked Milkel’s galaxy brain tactics, and we’ll need a lot more than a 25-minute wonder display against a still sleeping Wolves. Will there be blood and retribution and a red card?
As for Luton……………
I see it’s Liverpool in round 3. A shit or bust fixture. Klopp always fields weakened teams, but then again so does our so-called manager. Spurs in a kind of baby shit brown /grey outfit which seems apt. I watched the gamers and palace, and got the shit end of the stick it seems. Dire game.
You’re right Marc about Martinelli and Saliba of course. I hope you enjoyed it yesterday – well the 1st half at least.
Gamers? ⚒️More like
Kroenke
We do like to make it difficult for ourselves.
At some point these poor scrappy performances are going to really hurt us.
Spuddies equalise with a nice goal.
City looking like they’re going through the motions – this season was always going to come with a treble hangover. Be interesting to see what Pep does to shake them up.
for an undermanned Spurs squad to play as they did on the road speaks to what we’re missing…Ange’s approach can be defined by two words, brave and relentless, which are two terns you rarely hear when speaking about our club since the dreaded move…we clearly have a better squad on paper, but the tactics being deployed are bordering on timid and listless far too often
terms
it’s clear that even little ole Luton doesn’t believe that MA wants anything to do with playing directly, which is why they’ve chosen to defend so high…we were tather fortunate that they had a bit of a brain fart, which led to our tally, but our lead only lasted for a few minutes, as they quickly scored on their first attempt on goal…we still appear to have no one sitting in deeper spaces who can provide the requisite service, which is why we got Partey in the first place…that said, we just took the lead, which is definitely a positive note
Hi Vieira
Good points but I think it’s also worth bearing in mind that the pitch hasn’t been watered, precisely so that Luton can stop Arsenal playing the ball around swiftly. Watch how laborious it is for both teams to pass it around. Contrast it with the Wolves game where the ball is pinging about. Dry pitches really kill the quality of play at this level I reckon.
Woeful… 2 corners, 2 goals.
Deserved the win but fuck they made heavy weather of it. Bournemouth last season type win. All gave good accounts of themselves except Nostrilacious!
But shipping 3 goals against a team as limited as Luton isn’t going to cut it.
KP-this was against a team who’ve averaged less than a goal a game, yet somehow they potted 3 against the supposed best defensive team in the PL…thank fucking god we found a way to get all 3 or that could have been a tough pill to swallow heading into the always busy Xmas schedule…quite an environment there though, almost like a poor man’s Craven Cottage…all stadiums should be so fan friendly
Hi guys
Only just remembered to check the score will give you an idea of life here.
WTF?
I can only assume it was business as usual where we played horseshoe football needing 9 shots to score 4 goals where, not to deviate from our usual chaotic form, where BB scored the winner in the dying seconds.
Mind you it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Havertz scored again, having a purple patch at the moment.
Good for the lad, at least he’s made of sterner stuff than his optics give off. I’ve always said it’s his timing that’s just a fraction out, he gets into good positions so if he sorts his timing out maybe he’ll keep repaying his fee.
Conversely, Luton obviously using counter attacks only needed 4 shots to score their 3 goals.
Questions for Saturday evening are:
Has Emery still got Arteta’s number?
Will Emi reign supreme in keeping our firepower down to a damp squib?
Has Buendia still got the hots for Jorgehino?
All of the above is an Arteta problem, challenge or just nervous migraine or combination of the three.
Hope all is festively well for those who enjoy the Xmas spirit. Here is a money maker.
That awful fragment of human shit, Trippier, with a monumental fuck-up to gift Everton a goal. It couldn’t happen to a bigger wanker.
And another almost identical fuck-up. I bet they’re sharpening the bone saw and eyeing up both Trippier’s mitts 8n the barcode changing room.
Spursiness galore at home to the Hammers tonight.
With life being complicated here I’ve finally managed to get the right tech people to move our satellite receiver to my ‘Room’. My projector upscales to 8k and with the 17 speakers close your eyes and your in any stadium.
It’s taken a whole day but the 153 inch screen is bursting with pictures. happy days
Checked the scores half hour ago and Bournemouth were a goal up at ManU – just checked again expecting ManU to be on top and its 0 – 3.
This season is more barmy than last.
Interesting one this game. Should be 3 points but………..
Emery football at its best with a great squad. Could be our wake up call for Arteta
When you look at Villa and their identity- just think if Emery had been able to buy his players for us.
Pool won so can’t afford to drop points
You around KP?
WTF Zinchenko not our level
Yeah Tony
Half time. We’re pressing well but I’ve been surprised at the number of offsides. Ref not doing us any favours. Their goal came as our defence and midfield collectively switched off. I’m not writing Arsenal off just yet. We could get a goal via one of their defensive errors (which is something Emery teams always do) and then we could be in business. All well with you mate?
You’re right KP we’ve looked just on top but toothless and Ode has no power in his shots.
Home wise all good as per the last update.
We spectrum residents live and see life differently. Mrs T is casting an eye on QC for my traveling companion.
Hope all good your end
Definitely going to Nepal next year.
Same story of no creativity in the final third from us.
Emery always smacks Arteta’s arse.