Who has the easier run to the title? IT’S NOT ARSENAL!

held*

Tony

As you say in our own hands and quite simply if City were in our position with our fixtures they’d take a view that we’ll go out and win all of our matches.

Aitcho—two quick points, so as to keep things relatively simple for you

(1) I have never been a Xhaka fan, in fact, quite the opposite, which of course should come as no surprise to you my little stalking troll…I specifically referenced him to highlight just how disappointing I’ve been in Havertz, especially from a bang for your buck perspective…sorry my obvious attempt at sarcasm went over your head(again)

(2) if, as you would profess, Havertz has met or even exceeded expectations, then have I got an investment opportunity for you…your obvious tunnel vision and obtuse nature have once again led you astray…even your managerial overlord wouldn’t support such a farcical notion if it weren’t for the fact that he’s the actual rube who got got by the Blues…think about it, his very presence has required MA to both revert back to a two DM system and lean into a far more defensive gameplan, as he knows full-well that deploying Kai up top will likely stifle our goal production…on any other team, if it weren’t for the exorbitant investment, he would have been summarily benched, but he was fortunate enough to have an egomaniacal manager who would rather burn the house down than admit fault

being a fan doesn’t mean that you have to be a thirsty bitch when it comes to every piece of club-related messaging…I have fucking eyes, so I certainly don’t need someone else to tell me what I see and don’t see…just saying…Cheers

big slip-up today by Pool…it’s difficult to imagine that this season could come down to a shit back pass that led to a 45 yard strike, but who gives a fuck if that opens the door for us a crack…let’s hope the same sort of performance is coming our way when we face United on May 11th, as they were nowhere near good enough to get a result against us unless we gift them a goal or two in a similar fashion

of more pressing concern is our fast approaching CL first leg fixture…just feel we need to have a two goal advantage heading back to Bayern, which is a tough ask…after watching their return fixture, down by a goal, against Lazio, I’m concerned about our ability to see them out with anything less…not because I think they’re a measurably better side, it’s just that few have gone to Bayern with tighter margins and prevailed…to be frank, considering their inconsistent form, no one should look upon us as a long shot proposition…in fact, if it weren’t for our rather lengthy CL absence and our history against this particular club, this is a pick’em for me

now my mindset could drastically change depending on the selections of both managers, as Tuchel hasn’t really found his best 11 this season, whereas MA’s propensity to run his lineup back could see us struggle for goals…here’s hoping we opt for a lineup with the most potential goals in it, which would see Marts returning on the left…personally I would like to see Tross in the 8-hole, Rice sitting deep and either Tomi or Kiwior at LB, but that’s likely too offensively-minded for our gaffer…if MA does stick with the whole 2 DM narrative, I hope that Rice and Partey get the nod, but I’m certainly not holding my breath…just concerned that MA might go into full Etihad “play not to lose” mode, as that would be a real shame

KP
Mixed fortunes for you in Wales; Cardiff were beaten by Hull where in my very young music days I managed to open a 7.5-tonne truck top like a can opener at a Hull petrol station. No sleep for 30+ hours so running on empty, with the 2-tone tour in full flight and a roady down for the count hence me driving. Later parked at the side of a motorway service station there was a massive bang at the back of said damaged truck while my backline road crew we’re sleeping on the PA speakers in the back.

When I got out to the shouting from inside the back I saw a short Brummie guy climbing the services embankment who said, “Eye up lad, ave you seen et wheel?” I looked at the back of the truck all busted in and thought only oxyacetylene is going to free my road crew from the mangled shutter.

A week later I was getting lost in Harlem on the way back from Philli, in 80, not the safest place to stop to ask for directions.

Haveford West did you proud, KP, though, and we now have one hand on the cup, and we’ll really get to see what El B is made of and if he’s learnt from last season?

We have the squad now to win the PL, and should win our last 7 games where Spuds away is by far our toughest game, but it’s our penultimate game where we should be on a PL winning high with only 2 games left and possibly a CL final to navigate.

The Chavs who will likely have eyes on beaches and holidays, at home on the 24th shouldn’t be too much trouble nor the visit of Bournemouth. Likewise, I don’t see Villa at home anything other than 3 points; ditto Wolves away.

Anyone see things differently or are you all daring to dream as well?

TRVL
Good post where like you I’d love us to hand Bayern the collective arses on a plater of a duo of 5:1 wins home and away. Not going to happen of course. It’s the potential to impede our title charge that worries me the most with El B.

We shouldn’t be sacrificial lambs to the German slaughter, but equally, our selections should be PL minded first and foremost. For this reason, I’d save Partey, TRVL. Especially for the Chavs and Spud games. I’d play ESR and keep Rice more in the 6 role with the odd pivot with ESR but also Havertz used heavily in defense against Bayern.

We’ve shown our CL credentials now and fared better than I thought we would, but the PL trophy is what counts first. We can lay claim to the CL trophy next season and seasons thereafter; because we have a young squad only missing a 20+-goal a season striker which I hope at least we buy from this coming summer window.

A weekend away staying with old friends of 48years. He is a fellow Gooner and we topped up our wine glasses after Saka had put away the penalty. My friend quite likes Havertz for his ‘spoilers’ game but agrees we will not get stronger and dominate other top teams next season if he plays and does not add something extra to his game. He is not capable of fast counter attacking that is sometimes required. Rotation? currently does not appear in El B’s vocabulary. A good win against BHA – they will be a better side next year as their business model allowed too many players to depart last year.

Trvl,
Your verbosity and personal insults are where we end up when your football opinions turn out to worthless. Not all, just a few clangers amd clangers you won’t let go.

You don’t need to make it simple for me, you need to make it make sense when you suggest that Tets is ‘leaning into a defensive set up to cover Havertz’ lack of output’. We’re the top scorers. Great XG. KH goal involvement numbers, good. It makes no sense to ignore the data just because you’ve made horribly wrong judgements on both Havertz and Arteta.

Havertz’ goal at BHA was a thing of striking 101 beauty. The in, out, in, was textbook, create the space. Yet you say, defenders fault, even Eddie would score. Watch again. We weren’t silly to let Xhaka go. Xhaka wouldn’t have scored it, neither would Eddie. Havertz brings more than Xhaka did. You can agree in April even if you weren’t sure in Oct.

You’ve been wrong about so much, Jorginho, Trossard come to mind last season, Raya Havertz this, not buying a no9 in the window despite being top scorers every other week.

We’ve recruited well, the team is coached well. That’s not being a thirsty bitch as you call it, that’s recognising we’re in a title race again and currently top. And enjoying it. That’s what we tend to do as fans.

Watch the games with those eyes, read the numbers. Enjoy them rather than get mad over stuff you make up and have no way of knowing. We can debate real things all day long but you don’t have to be rude when your points end up being garbage or your fantasy scenarios where you mind read the players levels of distaste or mistrust for Tets.

Keep to the football, keep it evidence based, keep it civil and you’ll look like less of a blowhard.

Cheers

Tony—I get what you’re driving at, but I’m not a fan of putting all our eggs in one basket, especially knowing that City and Real are facing each other…Bayern is totally beatable and are far from the finished product who dominated us some years ago…in fact, I thnk the odds of us winning the CL are not too dissimilar from the odds of us winning the PL title…it’s clear that the inmates are running the Munich asylum, which likely means that some of their more problematic players, from an opponents standpoint, are going to be wrongly benched and we should take full advantage of this situation by playing our most offensively-minded starters in the first leg…of course, I very much doubt that MA will opt for this course of action, but I hope that I’m wrong

Norg—I totally agree with your BHA assessment, as there will always be “down” years when you’re a “selling” team, especially when you lose several key pieces in the same window…to be fair, he should be applauded for what he’s managed to accomplish in light of the above departures, a handful of serious injuries to some his best and brightest and the fact that they likewise qualified for the Europa League

as for Havertz, the current “uptick” narrative is largely predicated on the fact that we don’t have another real goalscoring option up top and we’ve been in good form, from a results perspective…imagine how different those views would have been if we had stumbled into another scoreless or low scoring draw following our City borefest and we were on the outside looking in…really good players don’t require heavily massaged messaging to explain their greatness on the pitch…it’s not like we’re listening to matches on the fucking radio…Cheers

Aitcho—no wonder you’re such a lover of all things Arteta-related, as you’re the personification of a blunt instrument…have the decency to actually read someone’s response before spewing even more nonsense in my general direction…keep your basic shit to yourself bud…Cheers

Opta are still being dickheads with us as third favourites. They’re just being basic.

Last year I felt like City were hunting us down expecting us to flop. This year both City and Pool know how good we are and they can’t rely on that. It’s going to add to their pressure. We’re just going about our business.

I’ll take a controlled 0-0 v Bayern. We’re still feeling our way Champs League, Porto a proper CL team showed that. But we learnt from that first game.

We can show we know how to keep them at bay, we go back to theirs and they then0 know if they let one in they’re in trouble too. They’ve still got plenty of goal threats including Kane, apparently their XG is very impressive despite results, but they also have pressure of already knowing they’re not winning the league, this is it for them.

KP, Tony

Fat Sam is Old Red Nose’s lap dog. United never lost against a Fat Sam team.

Trvl,
You being wrong about things doesn’t make me a lover of all things Arteta, that’s just your way of dealing with me pointing out where you’re wrong about things.

It’s the same way you minimise whatever Tets, or whoever else you’ve been wrong about, does right.

There’s little point reading your responses. It’s either an insult or yet another crappy footballing opinion. If you want me to read them, make them better.

Aitcho—even though you’re clearly a tool of epic proportions, I’ll always be amazed by just how many of your kind can fit in the smallest of vehicles

(just so you don’t misconstrue anything, I was calling you a clown)

Norg
Fat Sams clowning glory for me is this:

https://www.sotonians.com/t/big-fat-sam-telegraph-sting/2390/41?page=3

Just reading about Spain’s about turn on brits’ tourism angst and wondered if it would interfere with your new production lines in north Spain later this year.

My friend with cancer got the worst news yesterday where I have left the family to cope with the inevitable.

Not an area I could point you in the future, but I’m sure my cardiologist of 15 years would certainly be useful for helpful connects in the future. I’m going to be living in BKK very soon weekdays, and back to my home for weekends.

https://hhr.co.th/#gallery_description_gallery-1-20

About £250+ a week including services gets a decent 1-bed condo fully serviced with facilities that can include a cinema for around 10-12 people – so home from home for me.

Essentially, I’ll be enjoying the excellent facilities the better condo companies offer when my better half is doing her engineering, and I’ll have time to look up old friends and will meet new ones.

Anyone coming to Thailand should check out the condo companies, as they rent as hotel rooms because of lack of buyers and a low demand for the huge available high end condos at affordable rental prices that are much better than hotels unless you want to pay around £200+ per night for a room not suite if you want top facilities. Even then Condos far exceed hotels’ facilities.

https://www.dusit.com/dusitsuites-ratchadamribangkok/

So many better options if you look past hotels here.

Obviously, I’d love us to beat Bayern, but PL first for me as I’ve posted before.

Aitcho
We tend to offer opinions from both our emotions and and logic from knowledge of the game. TRVL offer more isight from his playing and coaching insights.

We are not always right or wrong where our views can be right even when wrong such is the nature of the game and its intricacies these days.

Why not agree to disagree and move on with your own detailed points. There are no prizes for right or insults when we are wrong. Banter is one thing but insults we generally keep away from here because we enjoy each others company here and some of us away from here.

LIR is different to anything I’ve encountered as a blog not that I’m well versed in blogs, far from it as I’ve only ever read LG and LIR and posted where alphas tend to want to be up front and personal. LG is typical of that.

Whilst some of us deem LIR a “Gooner family” blog we are happy to be put right, in less confrontational ways with any wayward opinions that have been manifested with strong emotions.

Far be it from me to suggest how you post here, but TRVL has no problems with regulars here and is well respected for his tactical nous and footballing insights. Of course, not right all the time, but that just shows he’s human like you, me and the rest of us here.

We all love The Arsenal here and show it in our own ways – sometimes really good, sometimes bad, but never ugly here – like it gets on LG daily.

Up to you how you post – just pointing out the mood of the room that generally is a happy one unless we feel the need to express feelings or an opinion, and then it tends to be in unison.

Trvl, you’re being abusive. Again. Don’t be a silly Billy

It won’t make your terrible opinions any better.

Take my advice, try to enjoy when good things happen. Or you can ignore it and make yourself sad wailing how a manager and players who’ve got us back in the Champs league and title chasing are all frauds.

Cheerio

Tony, it’s up to me like you said. Express in unison all you want, ultimately the guvnor will decide if what’s needed is an anti Arteta, and everything he does, echo chamber or not. But you don’t find me insulting people if someone points out how ridiculous my views are

But it’s clear Trvl hasn’t got any serious level coaching or even playing experience from coments he makes. I cam only assess that on his ramblings and facile speculation as a basis for his viewpoints. So perhaps you take him more seriously than is practical.

It’s nice that you’re acting as policeman for him,. You’ve weirdly decided you want to pick a side between two strangers on on blog for some bizarre reason so I’m not sure how seriously I should take you either.

Tony
I read the article about Spain. Our production will be in Spain but I will eventually employ locals. The area where we will be is in the North and unemployment is currently 11.46%. There are lots of Spanish Government grants that will help me to set up.
I posted on a previous post by mistake – we were at an old friends on the weekend and chatted to a neighbour. He can remember going to a music festival at the Great Tulip Hall in Spalding in 1967. The tickets were a £1 – the line up – Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Pink Floyd, Who, Move & Zoot Money.
BM tonight – I am more confident of a Arsenal win than in previous years. The well oiled BM machine has run out of three in one oil (or should that be 5 in 1). Kane will be up for it but under Tuchel they appear to be dis-jointed. My prediction 2 -1 to the good guys.

Aitcho-at no time in the history of this blog have the following words of Mark Twain been more apropos, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it”…it might be wise to heed those words, as you’re once again making an absolute fool of yourself, my trolling little simpleton……check yourself you guileless, infantile waste of space…btw “see you next Tuesday” is a nice way of calling someone a cunt

Ambarish-I won’t personal address this baiting passive aggressive half-wit again…my apologies for the above verbal thrashing

a few thoughts about our upcoming Bayern matchup to ponder:

this season Bayern has potted 5 more goals in 3 less games, but they have likewise surrendered 12 more goals against lesser competition…this is why I believe we can’t go into this matchup believing that our best pathway to victory is to try and turn this into a low scoring defensive battle…Lazio attempted this tactic and even went into the 2nd leg with a goal advantage, but quickly discovered just how difficult it is to contain a going for broke Bayern side at the Allianz, who btw are substantially healthier now

for me, it’s time for us to flip our typical script, for a matchup of this ilk, and attack them from the off, as they will undoubtedly expect us to adopt a more conservative approach, much like in our most recent City fixture, for fear of opening the proverbial floodgates…following another cock-up this past weekend, Bayern will be in full wounded animal mode, but if we can find a way to make them second guess themselves again, they just might turn on each other, especially if Muller is on the pitch

now normally Tuchel would simply make the necessary adjustments in a timely manner, which could in turn expose us on the counter, but with the inmate’s in charge, now that he’s little more than a lame duck manager, we could find ourselves up by a couple goals up before any real adjustments are made during the break…if this were the case we could simply revert back to our more defensive selves come the second half and hope that they’ll provide us with some tasty break opportunities once they’ve committed more men in our final third

of course, it’s highly unlikely that we will go this route, as it will require MA to both resist his normal conservative inklings and select a less tried and tested starting 11, but I think it just might be our best shot

TRVL
BM have had a few poor games this season – probably more than for quite a few seasons. Hit them hard from the off could be the solution – our line up at the back especially if Zinnie is on the bench is more than capable of keeping Kane under their thumb.

Hi NORG

A (WD) 4-0 would do me, and probably lead to K’phobe junior and I getting thoroughly lubricated. Oh, hang on, that doesn’t sound right does it?

Wengo was always fond of those types of numbers in euro games – only problem was ours were always the binary ones, ie 1s and 0s.

Evening all. Being an erstwhile diplomat, I’ve been keeping schtum while hostilities have been raging. Time now though for a ceasefire with some detente, rapprochement and confidence building measures.

C’mon you rip-roaring reds.

Hi Vieira

Hitting Bayern like a train is certainly one strategy but I think the first 15 minutes will be cagey. However, the pressure will be on Stubborn el Bastardo to up the ante and score. Drawing tonight is not an option.

Tony

You watching live tonight?

KP
El B was cautious as a player and it has followed him into management.

I won’t personally address…

Lol Trvl,
It’s not a Mark Twain quote.

That’s what happens when you let memes become a substitute for learning things.

“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt”

to whom it may concern, sorry for dumbing things down a bit so that the intended reader, who’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, wasn’t unnecessarily overwhelmed by the original verbiage…I apologize to anyone who might have been offended by my usage of quotation marks considering the modifications made…thankfully the underlying message of both versions applies regardless of any liberties I might have taken…God bless