2018 appears to be the year of taking your potential seriously. Ivan Gazidis pulled his finger out and shook the club up. Belgium just dusted off their bottle job reputation, dishing out a f*cking amazing result against Brazil yesterday… KDB, Hazard and Lukaku showing the world they’re more than just Premier League good (whatever that means). Today, we might land another couple of big results. Croatia has never quite delivered on their talent, nor has England. Could they be about to set up an epic semi-final?
The boys of England might not bring it home, but win tomorrow and that’s job done from an expectations perspective. Anything after that is bonus money. Sweden will be dangerous, they’ve nothing to lose, they’re massively overachieving as it is. I absolutely love that they’re doing this without Zlatan making it all about himself. A fantastic achievement, showing that you can be more than the sum of your parts if you have a perfectly baked plan and a lot of luck.
Another person who can’t help but be pleased with the state of the World Cup is Pochettino. He can’t find success with Spurs, but he’s doing a mighty fine job showing the world he’s a very capable coach. There’s going to be a few of his explayers rocking the semis if things go to plan tomorrow. Really can’t wait for him to leave Spurs in the lurch at the end of next season with a move to Bayern or United. I mean, I hope Bayern or someone that’s not in the Premier League.
In Arsenal news, DAVID ORNSTEIN SAID TORREIRA IS COMING HOME.
Yes he did.
He reckons Arsenal is going to sort out the deal for the DM ASAP, and that will likely wrap up our summer (+ maybe a kid of note)
You can’t really complain, can you?
I mean, maybe you could if the players were going to work under Wenger. I’m not sure we’ve quite hit the elite levels we’ve been dreaming of name wise, but look, we’ve certainly made significant strides over the last 6 months to address the lack of experience, the substandard attitude, and some of the quality issues.
I think it’ll be a tough start, but after the team gels and the manager starts to transmit his ideas, you’ll have a side that’ll be pressing like demons, you’ll have a group that are drilled in the basics like set pieces, playing out the back and even super basics like throw-ins. Hopefully, the attitude will start to shift as players are pushed into taking more accountability. Then you’d have to think we’ll see a very specific vision and style rise from the Wenger ashes.
Again, you really have to remember that huge change doesn’t come without teething problems. If we get off to a bad start, it might go beyond merely teething with people raising crisis flags very early on. Remember, Arsene was an institution. There will be fans ready to cut the new manager at the first sign of trouble, there will be certain members of the press who aren’t getting the same insider info they were in the past who might hold a grudge against the new regime, and there could even be a backlash from the players if they don’t like double sessions and 13 hours of video analysis.
… but I’ll never budge from the view that this move is exactly what the club needed. Progress doesn’t come without bruises and a couple of broken bones.
… and if you think I’m going to read into the above, you are very fucking wrong.
There’s no way a player like Hector; who could explain away the Celtic tribalism references of an Alexander McQueen hairband, would ever think to make a statement in a tweet.
No way.
Anyway, good to read that he’s learning. I hope all of them are. Carlo Ancelotti said in his book, players want to know if you’re going to make them rich, or if you’re going to make them better players. Hopefully, Emery is going to take care of the latter. I sense a big year for Hector, who should grow into one of the best right backs in Europe if he buckles down.
Right, I’m off out for an early one. I detest drinking from 10am, but when a World Cup quarter-final comes along, you have to do it.
See you on the other side, but before you go, listen to the damn podcast. We have Ash, who used to broadcast for Radio 5 Live.
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raptora “I hope all of you England guys are aware that if England was to get a Brazil, France, Belgium, Croatia or even Uruguay, Portugal and Argentina they would have been out, yes? It’s good to have your feet on the ground. Colombia and Sweden to get to a WC semifinal. It doesn’t happen every year. …….and if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle! Who cares? They can only play the team drawn for them. Irrelevant point. The most entertaininbg team does not always win the World Cup. Spain only scored 8 goals in 7 games to win… Read more »
I was upset when England won vs Colombia because the game was pretty even but I was supporting the Colombians.
In today’s game though, Sweden didn’t play jack shit. England deserve the win by a long mile. Not upset at all about it. It’s what is fair.
Where’s Ray Winstone and Keith Allen when you need a bulldog?
So pedantic.
I have already said that it was a defensive Swedish breakdown.
Forsberg found himself “marking” Maguire in the end even if he wasn’t originally penned in to do so.
A Swedish defensive breakdown.
Forsberg looks like a Wenger type signing. Technical but lightweight. Didn’t think you would be interested in that sort of thing. Ozil is enough in that department.
That substitution should have been made over 30 minutes ago.
At last ball player with no responsibility for goals, Sterling is out.Exasperating
Forsberg found himself “marking” Maguire in the end even if he wasn’t originally penned in to do so
No he was still marking Sterling he just happened to be there when Maguire was making the header
It’s a good feeling when your country gets to the semi, better if you get to the finals..
Not even Mrs May brexit fiasco would spoil the day!
receding
Any team that wins a World Cup literally get elevated into legendary status, more so in a football crazy country like England.
You don’t think if Spuds have 4-5 players in the starting g eleven of a World Cup winning England, their profile goes up?
It all about marketing. they will rightfully player it everywhere.
Arsenal did it with having three players in the German squad fore the last WC.
Forsberg looks like a Wenger type signing. Technical but lightweight. Didn’t think you would be interested in that sort of thing. Ozil is enough in that department.
So who do you have in mind then? Any opinions
If England win this World Cup, I’ll fucking emigrate. I didn’t vote brexit for this shit.
Was he fvck lol
He was far closer to Maguire than Sterling.
Sterling was forgotten about once they realised big Mags was in.
***It all about marketing. they will rightfully plaster it everywhere***
GoH
I understand. My reference to Marseilles was they were very organised (trust me). …. But yes, Russia is not to be fucked with.
.. if Russia win tonight, there will be trouble.
England B 0 England A 2
England have breezed through the rounds to peak in the final
England v Russia semi then.
DB10 I get you.
Easy handbrake win against a dire Swedish team
Marko
“So who do you have in mind then? Any opinions”
Nonzi to go along with the little fella to shore up the midfield and another CB.
Not so mad about offensive players as some seem to be on here.
Arsenal need to shore up defence.
@Dissenter
And what does that get them on the pitcher exactly? Their last trophy will still be a decade and more ago.
Most of their players are already exalted to the high heavens anyway.
If you are talking about fans banter then that’s their problem. They can milk it for what its worth but from a footballing perspective it gets them nothing. They still have the pressure of winning things for the club
BBC commentator literally said the words football is coming home. Cannot wait until they come up against a good side and get utterly embarrassed. You fucking beat shite teams and barely got past a less than decent Colombia side fucking behave yourselves
This is when itngets hard for England, when hysteria takes over the country and they start dreaming.
The fans have become used to tempering expectation but when they start dreaming………poof……It’s gone.
We are in the semis!!!!!!!!! C’MON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!
Another average game in the semi will do and another England win.
Sorry for the neutrals and haters but that will do just fine.
Fair play to England, they have taken advantage of an incredibly easy draw
8 Croatia players and 5 Russia players are already on Yellows tonight.
And will miss the Semi final if booked.
Marko
“BBC commentator literally said the words football is coming home. Cannot wait until they come up against a good side and get utterly embarrassed. You fucking beat shite teams and barely got past a less than decent Colombia side fucking behave yourselves”
looolz.
The dream is on.
And why not.
Touching distance now.
England v Belgium or France final.
Embarrassing from a football perspective but the draw is the draw. England got lucky and luck was on their side.
Pickford has really owned the no.1 shirt. Don’t give a shit cos we are in the semis!!!
That tactical loss against Belgium is bearing fruit now. Would like a heavily politicised match against Russia for that spicy bantz.
Why do people write Croatia off? They are a tough team. I can see them winning tonight and vs England. Certainly possible.
Alone
It wasn’t tactical. They couldn’t beat Belgium. Big difference.
England haven’t scored from open play.
Marko & Dissenter
Remind me how well the Irish and Americans did qualifying for the World Cup.
At least we have something to hope for.
I always said we might make the semis but after that we’ll do really well to progress to the final.
Cup football is just that and something to stir the emotions for the fans of the teams playing.
You can never say never in Cup football.
raptora
“Why do people write Croatia off? They are a tough team. I can see them winning tonight and vs England. Certainly possible.”
I haven’t seen anyone here write Croatia off.
DB10
The Russian ultras / paramilitaries have very clearly been given stand-down orders via their intelligence services.
This tournament has been a HUGE coup for Putin, with Russia successfully projecting an image of a modern, welcoming society that flies in the face of mainstream Western perceptions. It’s of enormous value to him: a greater number of people in the West might start to think twice next time they hear negative coverage of Russia in the media.
Putin will not have this being undone by ultras terrorising some fat, middle-aged England drunkards. There will be no trouble this tournament.
Remind me how well the Irish and Americans did qualifying for the World Cup
Oh I know how shite Ireland is. Do you know how shit England are? And that’s the point. Just relax with the it’s coming home nonsense because it’s not you’re setting yourselves up for failure
Lol they’re really running with this ‘football’s coming home’ shit? Making it virtually impossible for us neutrals to get behind you.
Do yous never learn? Croatia and France/Belgium still to beat. Tall order.
GOH and Raptora taking this way too hard lol
Salty.
First point is I’m really happy with the result but the second point has to be that this England team is unbelievably average. Sweden looked like a championship team with absolutely nothing going for them. We should be hitting 4 past a team like that. But before the game if you’d have told me we’d win 2-0 and be in the semis I’d bite your hand off so whatever. This game was literally like west brom against Coventry though. Piss poor teams and won’t be causing Belgium or France to lose any sleep. Sterling needs dropping for rashford pronto. He’s… Read more »
England’s progress in this tournament is also good news for non English Arsenal fans. There are a lot of Spurs players out there who will be knackered by the time it’s all over. There’s guaranteed to be a WC hangover no matter happens from this point.
Elmo
“The Russian ultras / paramilitaries have very clearly been given stand-down orders via their intelligence services.”
True
However England fans have been at their best behaviors . You don’t mess with Russian police, especially with this international climate.
I haven’t seen anyone here write Croatia off
Eh football’s coming home
Marko nobody in that studio says that with any conviction. You GOH Raptora WE taking this all a bit too personal wouldn’t you say? Lol Jesus
@raptora
Of course Croatia is a more realistic choice to advance with their midfields but you never know in a one off game. Could be another Spain though Croatia must be wary of the same gameplan deployed by the Ivan.
@Guns of Hackney
Sure both teams rested most of their starting eleven but clearly Belgium has stronger bench than the English. Either way it’s a win-win situation for England. Henderson gonna get slaughtered though if they were to meet Croatia.
“Russia v England football. We win.”
“Russia is not to be fucked with. .. if Russia win tonight, there will be trouble.”
“England v Russia semi then.”
Three different people Ishola.
The international media will run the with the hysteria that will soon grip England. All the while, they are hoping for the familiar pattern of collapse.
Tits
I had England winning 2-0 today, not bitter at all.
Just find the coming home talk funny considering England past press-team dynamic.
Tits
Totally. I’m into my second bottle of wine. Now I have to try and raise myself to cook for my wife and family.
All I want to do is go out and fight Russians down my local. Of which, there are none. I live in little England.
I got you Marko and I’m not saying “ it’s coming home” far from it.
Just saying we have something to hope for no matter how misguided the hope is. Those of us that understand the game know we have little chance of winning the cup.
Another game at a barren time in the football calendar to support while we wait for Emery to get us rolling.
Better than nothing.
Oh yeah, add Football is coming home.
Rascals Raptora.
Just as well you posted them up without their names attached.
Elmo. I know. Read about it. But such a match up will be very tempting. …. Let’s just hope Croatia beat Russia…. But I am sure a briefcase of dosh for the ref will help things along for the Russian team.
Belgium Vs Croatia final looks very likely.
One of few things Wenger got right in his last 10 years , his prediction on southgate’s career.
after Arsenal got beaten by a struggling Middlesbrough side, then managed by rookie Southgate ,Wenger in his post match presser, as usual ,diverted all questions about his team weaknesses and deficiencies by praising Southgate abilities, and went on to say he believed one day he would manage England ..
Well here we are..
He obviously got everything else very wrong from project youth to British core and sanogo
.
Wenger Eagle
You doin’t count that association football was first played in England, do you?
It’s not condescending for the English to run with the “coming home” heritage.
After once-controlling one-third of the planet, claiming to be the birthplace of football isn’t that bad.
Without sounding like a tinfoil hat wearing motherfucker…now is about the time government start laying down some serious back door policies.
That is fact! Taxes will go up but because you are all too drunk to notice, it’ll just be a footnote.
This happens all the time.
Bird flu and the horse meat scandal were two examples. They arrived with massive fanfare and then amazingly vanished. Mnnnn.
It’ll be France and Croatia
Props to Southgate and Bobby Martinez, imagine a couple of years ago saying to someone that they would manage a national side to the SF of the World Cup.
I hope we manage it but we need a small miracle to win this World Cup
The lack of quality on our passing and play is really concerning. We’ve got this far without needing to beat any reasonable teams.
I’m not really that sold on Croatia either though. Apart from smashing a very disappointing Argentina side, they’ve not done anything remarkable in this tournament.
This is Belgium/france’s to lose.
*but in a one off final anything can happen so…
Ian Wright is such a pitiful commentator or studios analyst.
Marko..
Tut tut…. Don’t get ahead if yourself!
I am certainly not…. 😉
Belief is always so important (and playing good football as well).
In other news almost every Swedish woman the cameras latched onto was at least an 8. My word.
Lol
Marko is totally anti English
But secretly green with envy
Dissenter
Don’t have a problem with the phrases meaning even just think they’re setting themselves up for failure and getting ahead of themselves.
as they have in the past.
Credit for getting to the SF but it’s a freak occurrence that finishing as runners up in their group after getting beat by Belgium has gotten them a Colombia (with no James), and Sweden run to the SF.
Now for a very important question:
Who is getting wasted? …. I know I am.
Wenger eagle
If Belgium win the World Cup, will you give Martinez the same credit that most people gave Joachim Low in 2014?
Martinez was a more accomplished manager before he went to manage Belgium compared to Low before managing Germany.
To be honest the “It’s Coming Home” thing is all just a tongue in cheek self-deprecating for the English to cope with another failure or false hope. The belief gets stronger day by day though and it will reach fever pitch by the time they reach final (IF). After that it will be the usual media meltdown win or lose.
Assuming Croatia win then England will be the least likely of the remaining 4 countries to win.
But a semi with these players being so young is an accomplishment no matter what you think of the draw.
Nobody complains when the USA beats Jamaica to get to a Concacaf Gold Cup Final having had to play powerhouses like Canada and El Salvador.
Roberto Martinez gets a lot of shit on here. He got Wigan of all teams to play quality attacking football. I have listened to him a few times,he has a very good understanding of the game. Defensively his teams look a bit fragile but that is the cost you have to pay for getting your team to play attacking football.
Raptora
People are mentioning an England v Russia semi because of the political situation. A chemical weapons attack on English soil just weeks ago, that still contaminates an English town, putting two more civilians into intensive care just a couple of days ago.
Of course Croatia are favourites.
Roberto Martinez was on the ESPN USA studio analyst team forth 2014 WC.
His contributions were crisp and very meaningful compared to the drivel we have now with the English duo of Ian Wright and Kelly Smith [English female international]
I thought he lost plot when he left out Radja Nainggolan earlier and with his insistence on leaving Dembele on the bench. One has to just give credit sometimes.
Elmo,
I get it.
Not sure which Croatia we’ll see tonight or (if) in the semis. Good team but being a small country makes them bottlers because they are not used to winning in the big, big stage. Kinda like Belgium even though Belgians have top talent on their side, Brazil had tens of chances to score last night. We’ll see what happens. But yeah I would have to agree that if Croatia win tonight, it makes England the team with least chances on paper to “take it home”. Croatia might win vs Russia and still disappoint though.
Tits
“Nobody complains when the USA beats Jamaica to get to a Concacaf Gold Cup Final having had to play powerhouses like Canada and El Salvador.”
Have you lost your bearing?
Most football- loving people in the states are fed a staple of premier league football by a cast of Anglo-biased British expatriates. Most people are supporting England.
I really don’t know what your comment is about. I’m pretty sure neither do you . It must be all those pints of lager that follows a good victory.
Props to Southgate and Bobby Martinez, imagine a couple of years ago saying to someone that they would manage a national side to the SF of the World Cup.
International football management isn’t that difficult these days. Just look at Chris Coleman.
Biggest difference is how both teams behaved themselves. Only one yellow card and that’s only due to tactical foul from Maguire. No chimping out against the ref every other minute. No dives no nothing. Clearly that Dutch ref stamps his authority better than the soft bellied American ref even when the stake here is higher. What a shit show that was.
I remember Martinez talking in a Chelsea vs City pre match TV show. He discussed at length tactics of both the teams,role that some of the midfielders from both sides would play and their off the ball movement. The game played itself exactly the way he said it would. People who have managed football teams generally know their stuff far more than former players and ‘pundits’ in media. Martinez is a smart guy.
I’m pretty sure that Brazil would have won vs Belgium 9/10 times. Of course it’s my thought and no one has to share it. Just thought that everything fell right in place to guarantee that Belgium progress, on a regular day they would have lost – patient Brazil, Casemiro in midfield, no own goal, penalty shouts, top saves by Courtois, big misses, Firmino and Douglas Costa in attack and so on.
Reason for my frustration about football a lot of the time is that luck is a big part of the game. Especially in 1 game ties.
Hillwood
“Marko is totally anti English”
Should read totally anti Arsenal /England.
Kyle Edmund looks like the hills have eyes.
Victorious
“oh dear! England are shit to watch, says so much of how poor the tourney have been for England to get to this stage”
Careful mate, you’re beginning to sound like the Wenger obsessives on here who slagged off The Arsenal everytime we won a trophy.
The competition is what it is… Sweden I would put on a level with a top 6 championship side and that’s being generous but you can only beat what is put in front of you.
Croatia will be the team to avoid in the semis.
Watched that video AH posted yesterday and looked at the pics on Ars.com …. really liking what Unai is doing. Once training gets seriously going I can only see it becoming more intense… and that can only be a good thing: at the start of the season we will have players who will be learning (and hopefully will learn) what they should be doing. As Pedders said, there will be hiccups…. But there will only be one way: onward and upward!!!!
VictoriousJuly 7, 2018 16:22:49
oh dear! England are shit to watch
From a bloke who follows Nigeria,have a day off lad.
West Ham being very Proactive in this window.
Fernandes and Yaralmenko
‘Careful mate, you’re beginning to sound like the Wenger obsessives on here who slagged off The Arsenal everytime we won a trophy.‘
With undertones of xenophobia.
@TheLegendaryDB10
Yeah they will be properly and well drilled when next season starts. Just want to watch motivated players that fight for the team that have clear objectives with proper guidance. No more rudderless clueless toothless team that have no gameplan coming to a match.
Raptora there’s no way in hell this Brazil team’s beats this Belgium team 9/10 times.
No way in hell mate sorry.
I think belgiums first 11 is slightly better. Even if you disagree there’s hardly a huge amount in it. Certainly not 9/10 business
Pierre
Drop it. Your hero is gone. Relax and move on.
England is another kettle of fish. No one likes the team for very good reasons. All relevant.
Horrid little team. Always was. And yes, I am English but never supported them. I’m all about the frogs. Historic you see.
China,
Okay then. You are right. Every 4/5 times.
Even if you think this Brazil is better than this Belgium (I disagree – and lest we forget Brazil too have only been beating average teams to get to where they did) I can’t see this matchup goes any more one sided than a 6:4 in Brazil’s favour. 7:3 would be very generous. 8:2 no chance imo
Alone + Easy Target
The same here. I’ve been looking forward to this season since AW departure. To know that players are finally being told what to do and, most importantly, what crap to cut out will be a huge benefit. …. a bit like England I am not expecting much, but the knowledge that I finally will be watching a team who will be giving their all game in, game out is good enough for me!
70% believe that football is coming home on a sky sports poll. Yep
Marko
70% of people they asked were drunk, read the sun and had a sunburn.
Don’t worry, football won’t come home. Thank god.
England make the Semifinals
Hamilton on pole for tomorrow’s British Grand Prix
Fantastic day of sport so far
To be honest the “It’s Coming Home” thing is all just a tongue in cheek self-deprecating for the English to cope with another failure or false hope. ”
Yep. Some people are just too dense to get it though.
GOH
Why no patriotism?
You say England are “a horrid little team”
Please explain.
I really don’t know what your comment is about.” It’s pretty damn simple. You play who is in front of you. Having a go at English fans for being happy they’ve gotten to the semis for the first time in almost 30 years is childishly petulant. You think Wigan fans cared they played like shiiite when they won the FA Cup? When the USA wins the Gold Cup having beat all of the Concacaf powerhouses(lol Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, Canada, Cuba, Antigua) do they not still celebrate and circle jerk each other? England won’t win the world cup but they have… Read more »
I’m pretty sure that Brazil would have won vs Belgium 9/10 times. Of course it’s my thought and no one has to share it.”
We heard you the first 9 times you’ve said that 😉
Croatia, Russia
Who cares
Michael 24
Although born in Hackney, dragged up in Hackney…schooled around the country, I have French ancestors. My father is Irish and my Mother is Jewish. I do not support, and never have, the England football team. Not that I actually support any other nation per se but definitely not England. My favs were always the Dutch and the French.
I suppose I’m a bit too classy and well educated to support the English.