Sooooo… VAR. Let’s talk about that. Looking kind of good, no? I’m watching Sweden vs Korea at the moment. There was a massive penalty shout, the ref missed it, he realised it might have been an error, he runs over to the giant screen and calls it within 30 seconds. Minimally invasive, accurate, and it might have given Sweden a vital 2 points they may not have picked up.
Like I’ve always preached on here, don’t fight technology, just work out how to use it better. How anyone can deny that augmenting human decision making with replays is anything outside a good thing is beyond me. If you can change the fuel and the tyres of an F1 car in 8 seconds, you can certainly work out how to get a decent replay into a ref so he can make an accurate decision.
Sure, there are going to be mistakes, but if you can reduce that number by 75%, the game is better for it. It’s simply not an argument to say football is better with more errors. I’m glad to see that FIFA are getting it right. Hopefully, the Bundesliga and the Premier League can work out how to take it to the next level.
World Cup has been pretty interesting. Mexico dropped a dazzling display yesterday, beating the champs 1-0. Mesut was rumoured to be out of contention before the game, his meeting with wannabe dictator, Recep Erdogan, was not met with enthusiasm from German fans nor Joachim Low. When it came down to it, Joachim Low couldn’t let the bromance die. It’s like a better version of Wenger and Alex Song. Still, it didn’t help. The Germans looked pedestrian and were cut to shreds by an inventive Mexico. Leaving Sane at home looks quite the error at this second.
We were all Swiss for an evening, watching Xhaka and Lichtsteiner work hard to equalize against a star-studded Brazilian side. Coutinho scored an outrageous goal after the Swiss let him roam free on the edge of the box. Arsene Wenger apparently quipped that Lichtsteiner wasn’t quick enough to get forward, a bit of a barb at the new regime. I thought the 34-year-old had a pretty decent game looking after Neymar and Marcelo down his side. Xhaka had a ponderous first half, his mobility really is an issue. he was playing in a pairing with Behrami who looked to be more of the enforcer. He grew into the second half as the Swiss took to beasting Neymar.
Can you imagine the headlines around Neymar this morning if he’d been English?
- Neymar’s new hairstyle inspires a flock of shite performance
- Neymar spent $565 on his haircut, shame of Brazil
- Neymar refused to listen to teamtalk as he preened wild haircut
I gotta say, I loved that both Neymar and Messi had later freekicks they botched. Ronaldo really led the way for pressure football. That said, he did well picking on De Gea at his absolute weakest.
Back to Ozil and Xhaka. It’s not a unique view to think these two are the most under-appreciated players in football. It’s comfort intellect people belch out to make themselves feel like they’re part of a special club. Opening an Opta stats pack and picking two numbers you like doesn’t paint a full picture. If you’re genuine in your view that both of those two showered themselves in glory last season, you need to get out the spreadsheets. Ozil was average last night, Xhaka was ok… we should expect more from both next season if we want to push on. There’s no second reality in football, you’re either doing it, or you’re not. Both of those guys didn’t do it last season, stop trying to alter our 6th placed reality.
ENNNNNGGGGUUUUURRRRRLLLLAAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDDDDD play today.
I don’t have any real expectations for anything special. That said, I do like the cut of Southgate’s jib. I think he has interesting opinions on football, I don’t think he’s stupid and he’s clearly fine doing things his way. Hopefully the boys drop an exciting performance against a strong Tunisia side.
DM
C’MON ENGLAND!
Risky 3
Tr4phy
Meh
VAR-D to score this evening?
VAR is great. To anyone who’s put off by the time it takes, and small possible errors, just think 10 years down the line – without VAR, we’re exactly where we’ve always been, loads of errors because referees are human and the game is fast and it’s an impossible job to get every call right; with VAR, every year it gets a little better – a little quicker, a little less intrusive, and the error margin improves. In 10 years we’re FAR better off with it. Bring it on!
“Wenger apparently quipped that Lichtsteiner wasn’t quick enough to get forward”
Ah ah ah, still alive… and pretty well!!
Closest
9
Someone who started Chambers at RB in the recent past saying Lichtsteiner isn’t quick enough to get forward?
“It’s comfort intellect people belch out to make themselves feel like they’re part of a special club.”
Pierre, Champagne Charlie, Receding, Aubergine.
They are to the AKBs what the Beatles are to music.
Pedro
“I gotta say, I loved that both Neymar and Messi had later freekicks they botched. Ronaldo really led the way for pressure football. That said, he did well picking on De Gea at his absolute weakest.”
Ha. Thought the same thing.
Was expecting Neymar to pull it out the bag like he did against PSG the season before.
The greatest trick Ozil ever pulled was convincing his devotees that they are the only people that understand football.
Gambon
“If Xhaka extended on the same money, that alone would give us the ability (from an accounting POV) to sign a £25m on a 5 year deal with no accounting cost.”
I’m not doubting the accounting logic, but I simply don’t see the correlation.
Little explanation, G?
Carts
Sorry, im not 100% sure what you are asking?
I agree on giving VAR a chance, too many people are ready to dismiss it without either an appreciation of what supports it or because they don’t like change. The VAR control centre looks to have a significant team of people who can make a call using the benefit of multiple camera angles and no doubt slow motion display, I assume there is some kind of protocol and that one nominated person in the team alerts the ref to any incidents that need to be punished. As you say this kind of intervention and decision making can be quite quickly… Read more »
Who the f..k is Wenger?
Carts what Gambon meant I think is that you can sell him for £25 mil, no loss accounts wise, ( as his value will be zero after amortisation)buy another player for same amount and salary – so basically u will have a better player at same cost.
I wonder what asking posters to lay off Xhaka has to do with being AKB.. But then again it’s the go to insult when u have run out of things to say
It wasn’t Wenger that extended his contract.. We did not finish 6th because of Xhaka.. I am not letting an entire squad of underperfomers hide behind one “supposedly mistake prone ” midfielder. He only made two errors leading to goals the whole of last season.
What a squad Belgium have- one of the best for sure. If they don’t go far they will just confirm themselves as the biggest bottlers
Looking at the line up we might just see Panama get humiliated. Don’t even know how they got here if I am being honest
Pedro
Stirling is key for me tonight.
If he can channel the pep effect for England, we could surprise people in this competition.
I feel oddly at ease with the current England set up – despite all the spurs players in the team. I’m glad it hasn’t been the usual, annoying travelling circus.
I also appreciate Southgate’s disarming lack of ego.
Come on England.
Pedro
I also “do not have any real expectations for anything special”
Nevertheless…………………..COME ON ENGLAND!!
Gambon
I think NW9 gooner has explained this. Appreciate that.
“If Xhaka extended on the same money, that alone would give us the ability (from an accounting POV) to sign a £25m on a 5 year deal with no accounting cost.””
I was struggling to understand how the above actually works, that was all.
“The greatest trick Ozil ever pulled was convincing his devotees that they are the only people that understand football.”
Keyser Mesut knows best!!
Gambon
Standard baiting from a knuckle dragger who can’t help but spew poison at people with an alternative view.
Only special cunts on here are the ones having to constantly sing and dance to rigid thinking. In this case it’s the perennial whipping of Xhaka and Ozil.
Temper the vitriol and you get that standard treatment from le groves resident experts. How very predictable, and particularly amusing given you’re the resident spreadsheet wanker. 😀
In this case it’s the perennial whipping of Xhaka and Ozil.
Don’t forget Ramsey of which you join in on. Oh and Bellerin and Iwobi and Mustafi. Point is don’t get all high and mighty you do your fair share of criticizing too
We are told Arsenal have made him a contract offer, and it is now up to Wilshere himself to decide whether to sign it or not.
Worst group of midfielders and yet we just don’t want to break them up. It’s like we don’t want to compete
Harry Kane on Stalingrad: “It is what it is.”
https://twitter.com/FLEB400/status/1008655097314856961
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRKYsao2ciY
“Don’t forget Ramsey of which you join in on. Oh and Bellerin and Iwobi and Mustafi. Point is don’t get all high and mighty you do your fair share of criticizing too“ Confusing me with yourself there mate. I’ve always said I rate Ramsey, but if he’s in his last year of his deal and wants a mega ontract he can be sold and replaced comfortably given he offers half a season on average and he’s at loggerheads with Ozil for a starting spot. Same with Bellerin who I’ve stated I don’t rate, but will gladly see under Emery as… Read more »
Lawrenson at least calls the game his way.
And I love the SAXA fellow with him.
pedro
Arsene Wenger apparently quipped that Lichtsteiner wasn’t quick enough to get forward, a bit of a barb at the new regime.
I thought we have stopped giving a rats arse about the pensioners opinion. let’s not bring up his every remark again. ffs Pete…
Well said CC.
The use of the AKB term as a mudslinging device, is at the very least unimaginative. It’s the way Gambon simplifies things for certain bloggers who seem reassured by the use of an out of date term..’you don’t agree with me, you must be an AKB ‘embarrassing from someone who tries oh so hard to come across as knowledgeable
So all in all swing and a miss for you.
I was saying those players get routinely criticised not just Xhaka and Ozil. Certainly I know your opinions on Ramsey.
it’s with over the top singling out some players
They were playing and not well so i don’t see the problem there.
The question should be why is it that any sort of criticism big or small about Xhaka or Ozil gets your attention why do you have to get involved? Don’t see you doing it when Ramsey gets criticism.
Half – time PANTS
Almost half time yet and no goals for Belgium? This world cup is for the underdogs.
Marko
Criticism is always balanced. You never hear people that was Xhaka or Ozil say what they can do well. Does it mean thy don’t have anything good up their sleeves?
I mean, GOH said he hadn’t seen Xhaka play a good game ever. He has been with Arsenal for two years mind.. If it’s not fair then it’s not criticism.
people that criticize*
Wenger has ridden into the Arsenal sunset with his loot. Time to cut off his umbilical cord.
Marko That’s a flagrant lie if you’re offering up the idea that Xhaka and Ozil are subject to the same criticism other players are. Pretty ridiculous you’re trying to suggest myself and others are making an issue out of Xhaka/Ozils criticism vs there being any kind of constant unbalanced berating. I criticise plenty, but I try and measure it and am certainly not rigid in my beliefs of any player at the club. That being said can you honesty tell me that’s the approach some take towards Xhaka/Ozil? It’s not, and you know it. Hence my reactions to such commentary,… Read more »
If it’s not fair then it’s not criticism.
Well considering the likes of Pierre and you know who never pull him up on his poor performances I’d say it works the other way too
Charlie
You left no opportunity to criticize Coq even when he was doing very well in partnership with Santi.
I criticise plenty, but I try and measure it Have never heard you criticize Ozil during our bad periods never heard you criticize him for going on holiday with his girlfriend while he’s out with “illness”. Never heard you criticize Xhaka for his lack of discipline his bad tackles his errors leading to goals you kind of apportion the blame. Someone questions Ozil’s lack of goals last season you apportion the blame by suggesting that the strikers should have done better. My point is that you think their criticism is too much and unfair but they’re in the exact same… Read more »
Meant to say Ozil’s goals and assists.
Rui Patricio has joined Wolves
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/bernd-leno-arsenal-signing-to-12736925
So Roberto Martinez decides to bench Dembele and play KDB in a deeper position, fucking genius! Having a donkey in Lukaku up top doesn’t help either.
Tr7 I’m not against criticism, I’m against the lack of balance in criticism that typically involve the same couple of players. I criticised Coquelin (who subsequently couldn’t get in the side, then was sold) but also praised him for what he was obviously bringing to the side. Some would have you believe Xhaka and Ozil offer absolutely nothing, and absolutely not in a hyperbolic sense. Marko Could do with paying tester attention then, I’ve criticised Ozil plenty. But aren’t you one of the biggest complainers about our ability to ship 60+ goals a season? That Ozils fault? Is our defensive… Read more »
5 Panama yellow cards so far.
Is it me or has Kevin de Bruyne been crap today….his free kicks have been dreadful and his passing woeful.
Strange how there is not one word of criticism aimed at him from commentators or pundits ….maybe that’s because they spent all of the pre match introduction praising him ,in fact Danny Murphy said he was the best ever in his position .
Would just like to add that I think de bruyne is a superb player.
Told you …he’s rubbish ….superb pass lol
Now this guy is the assist king. Not ours. Another 90% goal by KdB. Probably my favorite player at the moment.
I’m against the lack of balance in criticism that typically involve the same couple of players I mean Özil gets criticized for being a wet sponge who goes missing in big games who doesn’t score and assist enough consistently and who probably doesn’t want to be here and Xhaka routinely gets criticized for the defensive side of his game so it’s pretty fair and balanced no? But aren’t you one of the biggest complainers about our ability to ship 60+ goals a season? That Ozils fault?…Arsenal’s issues have by and large been structural and defensive based, so for my money… Read more »
Yea an assist against Panama is what every playmakers dream is made of
Go hide your face Ozil
Mad how you have rubbish like Panama in the WC and teams like Chile, Ecuador, Italy and the Netherlands are sitting at home.
Is it me or has Kevin de Bruyne been crap today….his free kicks have been dreadful and his passing woeful.Strange how there is not one word of criticism aimed at him from commentators or pundits
See. Fair and balanced as ever. Not one word on Ozil’s drab performance yesterday Pierre why’s that? Don’t answer
“Strange how there is not one word of criticism aimed at him from commentators or pundits ….maybe that’s because”
… he won the EPL and was probably the best player for both club and league. Leader, top player, doesn’t hide and can do absolutely everything in football. Extremely consistent as well.
I haven’t seen a passer of the ball as good as him bar Bergkamp and I think KdB has been doing it more often than my favorite dutchman. Most of his assists are a touch from being goal. Nothing in common with Ozil. Nothing.
really rooting for Belgium to go all the way , such lovely team to watch,I know its just Panama but it’s not as if the bigger guns are ripping it up either
You can’t praise De Bruyne unless u are criticizing Ozil… That’s how this objectivity thing works
You have to rubbish another player to praise the good points of another. Two players can’t base their game on providing assists.. No.. One has to be good the other a fraud
That’s objectivity!!
Panama, Saudi Arabia,Iran in a world cup is joke. Italy,Netherlands and Chile even in their worst phase would put up more of a show.
Gutted that Mertens peaked so, so, so late. If he wasn’t 31 yo but 5 years younger, he’d be a superstar like Salah.
Of course the fact the opposition is Panama doesn’t actually matter
It will count for everything though if God forbid Ozil bags a few assists against those South Korean farmers.. Then scoff it’s just South Korea.. Where was he against Mexico..answer that you useless AKB!!
DeBruyne was actually being criticized during the commentary but they acknowledged it was more about him being played deeper and out of position. Ozil yesterday was played in his natural position. He had no excuses really. And before you mention how much the other German players played again we’re just talking about Mesut. Does he need someone to hold his hand before he plays well? No of course not
I don’t know what is it about KDB but I don’t like his game.
While you are ranting Marko do point out minutes in the game where his German teammates made amazing runs that he failed to spot or the number of guilt edged chances he spurned.
Or were u expecting Ozil to take on the seven players defending deeply and somehow score a goal. What exactly were your lofty expectations of this useless fraud of a footballer that he did not meet yesterday?
* gilt edged…shameless keyboards
@ TR7
The dudes range of passing is out of this world… There really isn’t anything to hate about his game
He works hard…he has a good shot on him.. He rarely wastes a pass.. Guy is a dream
I didn’t watch the Germany game (playing with golf) so I presume that özil had a poor game going by the comments on here… . Apparently Germany were poor at the back and defensively through midfield.. Had 26 shots at goal and failed to score..
So it wasn’t de bruyne’s fault that he messed up every free kick and was wasteful in possession, it was the managers fault.
Belgium really have a remarkable strength in depth for a country of 11m people.
It’s probably fair to say 8 of their starting XI are top bracket star players in the top leagues, and from the bench they have Kompany, Dembele, Tielemans, Fellaini, Thorgan Hazard, Batshuayi etc.
Only bettered by Uruguay’s crazy pipeline of talent from a population of 3m. Iceland obviously massively outperform their 300k population, but they haven’t produced real stars like Belgium and Uruguay.
Reports in Germany that Leno will be officially announced tomorrow.
Is the world cup over yet?
KDB is the player we all thought we were getting in Ozil.
If you castrated KDB, gave him mega doses of estrogen, then force fed him diazepam for a month…..you get Ozil.
Receding
Yeah he is very efficient, hard working and a good reader of the game. Not criticizing him but he is very much a grafter rather than a flair player and perhaps why I don’t quite like his game. But it’s just personal taste, he is a good player nevertheless.
I know Leno isn’t in the German squad before someone mentions that.
I’m just bored and want the real football to start.
It’s almost official now
Ornstein :Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen. Not done but set to be decided today & expected 26-year-old will join #AFC – unclear which current GK would make way. Torreira pursuit ongoing – optimism but not done & #WorldCup delays it
TR7
Are you sure you haven’t got a de bruyne mixed up with someone else.
“a grafter rather than a flair player”
Leno definitely not the GK I wanted but glad we’re actually addressing our issues.
For years we have gone into transfer windows with absolutely no coherent plan.
Last season it was suggested that our NET TRANSFER Budget was £50 million. Following that suggestion Arsenal increased their sponsorship from Emirates from £30 to £40 Million and then announced a sleeve sponsorship reputed to be £10 million per year. It has since been suggested that the net transfer budget might have increased to £70 million. Based on recent rumours Arsenal are likely to bring in the following players: SOKRATIS £16 Million LENO £22 Million TORREIRA £26 Million —————————————- £64 Million If you assume that Arsenal will bring in one additional player most probably a second CB eg Soyuncu that… Read more »
Raptora on de bruyne
“Strange how there is not one word of criticism aimed at him from commentators or pundits ….maybe that’s because”
… he won the EPL and probably their best player ”
Özil is a world cup winner and was probably their best player, does that exempt him from criticism….. Of course not.
While you are ranting Marko do point out minutes in the game where his German teammates made amazing runs that he failed to spot or the number of guilt edged chances he spurned.
Criticism of Ozil met these kinds of responses. Exactly my point
This means that Arsenal would need to find around £25 Million to meet the
forecasted net transfer budget
Hey ding dong you know you don’t always pay the transfer fee up front yeah? That’s the reason we’re paying an extra 4 million overall for Torreira because we’re spreading the cost of the transfer fee over a period of time.
England playing a 3-5-2, with Lingard and Alli as the CMs, Henderson the holding mid, Kane and Sterling the two forwards, and Trippier and Young the wingbacks.
Just to stir the pot a little, would any of Xhaka, Ozil, Ramsey or Bellerin make it into this XI if you were the England manager (and if they were English)? If so, who and in place of whom?
Note: No changing the formation.
Just to stir the pot a little, would any of Xhaka, Ozil, Ramsey or Bellerin make it into this XI if you were the England manager
Maybe someone comes in for Lingard but otherwise no. Xhaka or Ramsey over Alli or what Henderson does for the team? No way
African Nations have had the naivety coached out of them, making them shit to watch.
True Marko, but you shouldn’t forget purchases in the last few transfer windows that are still being paid for…swings and roundabouts..
Oozing positivity as usual Red…..keep the flag flying.
True Marko, but you shouldn’t forget purchases in the last few transfer windows that are still being paid for…swings and roundabouts..
Very true which makes the whole thing about transfer budgets very much something no one knows
So Patricio joined Wolves for free. May have to pay something if a tribunal says so he’s been there since he’s 12 but point is they got him for free.
I say we are going to win the World Cup!!! I am just joking! I really just want to see the players do their best. It would be really good if we did more than just exiting at the last 16/ quarter finals. This World Cup has been interesting. Most teams that we expected to be stunning have disappointed a bit, but this has only been their fist game. Watched the Spain v Portugal game (which has been the most interesting game so far from what I seem to hear) and France v Australia (which was disappointing by their standards… Read more »
“really rooting for Belgium to go all the way…”
Perhaps you have some spare chickens you can send them?
Pierre
Yes De Bryune is more of a smart hard working player than a truly blessed flair player, at least that’s how I see him.
Belguim v England final..
Anything that will help Arsenal for the start of the season….
Come on England
TR7
De bruyne is clinical and effective.
I believe he is a “truly blessed” player… To be able to pass with the precision of Dennis Bergkamp is not something that should be taken lightly.
It is a unique gift to be able to play the perfect through ball with the perfect weight and with the perfect timing and only the very best players can achieve that.
ENNNNGGGEERRRLLLLAAAANNNDDD!
🙂
Tunisia obviously forgot their chickens at home tonight.
Clink to you Hillwood. Let’s hope the boys have a good game tonight.
We should have scored there!!
Sterling (Martin Hayes)
Sterling still a horrible finisher
“Gareth Southgate” sounds like the name of a character that Colin Firth or Hugh Grant should be playing in some rom-com.
Pierre
A curve ball for you -who is more talented Ozil or KDB?