Via Arsenal Instagram
No gross story to start the day today my friends. Just straight into the good stuff.
OGS made a meal of another lucky win at home to West Ham. The wheels really are starting to come off. The babyfaced assassin looks like he’s having a rough time with stress, it’s taking a toll on his face and body by the looks of things. It seems that when that Mourinho hangover wore off, the players just weren’t that interested in being a team.
That said, I couldn’t be happier that he’s landed a new deal. Poch at Old Trafford would be a very different story imo. I don’t want to witness how fiery the sauce could be. Just keep topping up that problem with more ’92 thinking.
Spurs are back to their best, they downed Huddersfield with ease, no doubt there really. Only thing we can hope for moving forward is more tiring games. They have to deal with City twice away this week… that should do the trick.
There’s a HUGE game today as Sarri heads on up to Liverpool to hopefully take a thrashing at the hands of Klopp… but as we’ve seen before, Liverpool are more than capable of a choke against Chelsea when chasing a title. So who knows what’s going to happen there. I thought this was a good read on the Chelsea manager.
Sarriball, an ironical term coined by someone in another country, has been used to beat him, a sign of – heaven forfend! – intellectual pretension. Here he comes now, papers flapping, textbook under one arm. English anti-intellectualism, the English insularity that still sees it as a form of national disgrace to take lessons or ask favours abroad: Sarri is an embodiment of so many things that have traditionally enraged English football’s deep sensibilities.
Remember that brief period where a shared hatred of Jorginho seemed to unite the nation? What outrage there was at the sight of a small, possession-based midfielder trying to integrate his style into English football.
Fast forward a couple of months and Jorginho and N’Golo Kanté have both been key players in the current run. Jorginho starts for Italy. He has played in six wins in a row for club and country, his team dominating possession in every one. Maybe just give it a while next time.
Let’s see how it looks after today.
As for Arsenal… well, we’re not playing today. I must have been delirious or just my normal error-prone self when posturing that the fixture was today. That means one more day to mentally prepare for an absolute hell fest away at a reasonably good team our players should be dealing with.
Once again, the big challenge that’ll be asked of Emery is this… where does he see his top 4 fortune?
The Premier League?
The Europa DREAM?
Or will he just shoot for glory in both?
This is where rotation is tough. He knows we’re shite away from him, and likely understands that this isn’t helped by starting Mustafi and Big Mo. However, if he goes for glory (against Watford, big LOL) and then has tired players for Thursday’s test, he could end of shooting himself in both of his size 14 feet (true). No one needs that.
I’d imagine he’s looking at a 2-0 lead and fancying himself for the Europa. A 2 goal lead against Napoli shouldn’t be causing concern. Valencia are a 6th placed team we should have little problem with. Then it’s Benfica or Chelsea in the final. Both teams that offer up tough test, but in a 90minute battle, I’d fancy Emery’s experience to do the job.
… but, lose against Watford and the fans will be pissed off. Doubt might creep into players heading out on Thursday. Legs become a little heavier. No one wants to be tired heading into a nasty atmosphere in Italy.
Basically, it’s a tough one. I am very worried that Mustafi has to play on Monday. That puts us on the back foot right away. It’s hard not to see reckless behavior on the pitch as anything outside nightmarish. However, we have some very good players who should be able to do a job on them. It’s all about focus and motivation. Interesting to read that the 7 games where Ozil, Auba, Laca and Ramsey have started… we’ve won. Our best player delivering results is hardly a revelation, but you have to know when to deploy them.
A very big Monday ahead… let’s see how Emery gambles.
Since going two up they could have conceded 3. Playing like Arsenal they are
Wenger Eagle
“Looking like it’s finally Pool’s year isn’t it.Fuck sake. As if Scouse supporters aren’t insufferable enough.
Nah
I think City will win it all this season; the quadruple is on.
Agreed Eagle.. but City will have something to say about it. End to end match now.. pretty entertaining If I didn’t hate both teams.
Higuain looking like a clueless fat mess these days, unrecognisable from only a year or two ago.
Is there a better “ball-playing” centre back than David Luiz?
Higuain won’t make it in the EPL. He is too slow and weak.
Dissenter
They aren’t winning the CL, if they manage to eke past Spuds on Wednesday they’ll be taught a lesson by Juventus.
Ronaldo will rise to the occasion and make Otamendi’s night miserable.
Is there a better “ball-playing” centre back than David Luiz?
VVD.
Higuain has looked alright since he has come I thought. Though I agree his best days are behind him.
Mid
OT Manc derby match is the title decider.
Liverpool will win the rest of their matches, that’s the one match I reckon Citeh could drop points in.
Wenger Eagle
Raheem Sterling’s form is devastating currently and Kompany’s return is just at the right moment.
They will get past Spuds, a Kane-less spuds is easier to plan for.
I have the feeling that it will be a Liverpool vs City semi final
VVD? No don’t think so, VVD the better all round defender perhaps.
One things for sure Chelsea are proper fucked if Hazard ever leaves
Yep.. crazy PL race this year… If I wasn’t emotionally invested.. I would have to say one of the most entertaining races for every top 6 spot I can remember. Usually the relegation is more interesting. Good for the PL brand. Now if they get could just get referees that were up to the level of the league play.
The physicality of this league is often understated.
Higuain is past his better days but right now, he’s struggling with the physicality of the league.
Players typically have to bulk up in certain areas to deal with the way defenders put themselves about in England.
United have been struggling for a few weeks now. I’d fancy City to beat them
Is there a better ball playing centre half than Luiz….Jack Wilshere
OGS looks clueless currently
City will definitely beat United at home.
Tiger in the lead now. well tied.
Jack Wilshere….where da fuck is he these days?
Un na
Wilshere does all his ball playing now on the physio bed.
It’s been that way for the past 4-5 seasons
@Dis
Liverpol will meet Barca and MC vs Juve in the Semi
RR-
Hair Club for Men?
Jack Wilshere is barely a footballer these days. Can’t believe he hasn’t converted to a Fortnite streamer. He’s that irrelevant
if only emery and his boys could have enough hunger to win their 2outstanding matches, by then Chelsea must have been out of the race for top4….
tomorrow, most definitely would define how emery wants our season to pan out… tomorrow’s selections would allow everyone to know if emery prioritises the Europa league over the epl, or if he wants to try and succeed in both
Radio
All his ball olaying didn’t help much when Germany put 7 past his Brazilian side on home soil
Manure are average but lucky, super Ole would have to lick a lot more cats for them to get anything from that City game.
Nelson
Thanks for the correction
Not the last time I will be thanking you since I made the same error for the EL.
Un
True but a bit unfair to lump it all on him.
Mid
🙂
Salah balled out today… that’s for sure.. He was everywhere. Alright off to watch the end of Masters .. setting up to be epic finish.
Every game now is must win..imo. Lets be honest.
A loss and the pressure to win the Europa just gets ratcheted up.
Bulk up more?
Fuck that, I think Hig’s had enough pasta for a lifetime.
He was too fat even here in Milan, why anyone thought he’d do well in England is beyond me
He actually didn’t do bad when he came on. I get the criticism though he is a few years too late to the premier league. I still feel though had we signed him up years ago Wenger would have had far more than 3 league titles in 22 years
Bati
He started well in Milan IIRC didn’t he?
Hit the Spaghetti and Gelato’s a bit too hard and forgot where the net is located after September.
Hig in 2016 would have murdered in the PL.
Piatek though 10 in 14 for Milan is red hot. Could be forced to sell in the near future though they’re financially fucked
Wegale
No one here was really convinced even when he was scoring so his drop didn’t surprise lots of folks…The only reason he kept being played was because Crutone was having a bad patch himself at the time
Marko
You’d have to offer something insane to get him especially if they get champions league football but you get the feeling he’s bound for bigger things
Woods might take this.
Marko
He is about the only smart investment that they’ve made in recent times. I like the look of the Brazilian kid Paqueta too, he’s going to be very good.
Pissed a lot of money up the wall on Andre Silva, Carlos Bacca, Calhanoglu, Rodriguez, Biglia, Bonucci, Conti, Musacchio.
They not taken over by rich Chinese owners? Or maybe that was Inter.
Marko
“One things for sure Chelsea are proper fucked if Hazard ever leaves”
They are seriously fucked already. Hazard is down to one year on his contact in the summer and is refusing to sign a new one. He’s already out the door.
On top of that they have a 2 window transfer ban coming up and an owner who is no longer throwing money at the club.
I thought AC Milan were owned by a hedge fund who took control when whoever borrowed to buy them defaulted.
This is why Gazidis went there they’ve offered him a huge bonus for getting the club back on the rails.
Koulibaly on a hat-rick.
On Thursday we may have to weather a bit of a first half storm.
CC – you about? Think Woods will hold his nerve? 1up with 3 remaining.
Surely by now -I cannot be in the continued minority- (when we are witnessing Liverpools sensational assault on the biggest prizes of the club game )- that the importance in aspects of charisma ,motivation and personality of THE MANAGER can no longer be overlooked. Jurgen Klopp like he did at Dortmund is defying the footballing laws of gravity by propelling Liverpools to heights of success their footballing talents surely dont deserve. He is following the likes of Shankly,Clough,Fergie, Ramsey ( Alf not Aaron) ,Stein, Chapman In that it’s his PERSONALITY alone that is the main driving force for Liverpool unprecedented… Read more »
They not taken over by rich Chinese owners? Or maybe that was Inter.
Yeah Milan are American hedge fund owned. They’ve been fined and risk European expulsion if they don’t break even financially. And let’s be honest Piatek and one or two others are the only sellable assets there
Marko
Yeah wouldn’t mind Paqueta for us, not many Brazilan forwards head to the PL over Spain/Italy though.
Jamie
I’m fucking shaking, I hope so. LEGEND
Charlie G
We won’t be going after anyone like that whole kroenke is in charge
Why are so many top charismatic coaches turning us down.
Emery is the best that would be willing to work under kroenke
Yeah Chelsea’s future is looking bleak, they’re going to have to pray that Pulisic somehow magically replicates Hazard’s impact because he’s already got one foot out the door en route to Madrid.
Back 9 has destroyed Molinary
CG
“In that it’s his PERSONALITY alone that is the main driving force for Liverpool unprecedented success.Arsenal fans have to wake up – ”
£140m worth of PERSONALITY on the combined purchase of Van Dijk and Alisson….lol
CC –
It’s exhilarating! His hit off the 16th? Moisture.
that the importance in aspects of charisma ,motivation and personality of THE MANAGER can no longer be overlooked.
So you agree we should have binned Wenger years before.
In that it’s his PERSONALITY alone that is the main driving force for Liverpool unprecedented success.
Lol
We deserve our own messianic Klopp like figure, too.I am thinking
VIERIA
CAMPBELL
LEHMANN
ADAMS
LLYINBERG
You are the dumbest motherfucker on here I swear to God
If Pool win all their remaining games, they will be win the league. Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Wolves are all relatively easy fixtures. City have to face Tottenham, United and Leicester in 3 of their remaining 5 games. They need to overcome Tottenham in CL too to get through. Title race has been amazing. Both the Champion and the runner-up will finish with more than 90 points, that’s incredible.
Yeah wouldn’t mind Paqueta for us, not many Brazilan forwards head to the PL over Spain/Italy though.
Castillejo is good. But yeah Paqueta looks like he’s going to be a huge find
Imagine how you’d feel being a runner-up with 97 poxy points, Leicester won the PL with a mere 80 just 3 years ago.
My bad Charlie sorry I should have read posts further back for context.
Forget Bamford futile petulance enjoy the Masters.
I’d be very surprised if Liverpool fail to win all four of those matches TR7, really do think that it comes down to OT match against Utd for Citeh.
They should handle Spurs at home without Kane and they’ll have too much for Leicester.
Would be poetic if it was Utd to drive the dagger considering Liverpool are the only side on the planet that they hate even more than their city rivals.
Klopp is the real rival of Pep, not Mourinho. Both managers play quality football and have great aura about them.
Tony
Appreciate it, good to hear you’re well btw.
Woods looking cool as ice coming up the 17th.
Liverpool have only themselves to blame for making hard work of something which was in the bag not long ago.
Lol
Liverpool will be ‘in the race’ all until the final game where they’ll predictably slip. Kilpperty Klopp style- Champion bottler.
Rambo
Not a fan then? I like Klopp, I like hat he has done with Liverpool. Comes across like a top bloke too. Hasn’t bought the title like Guardiola
I’d not resent him a title at all
Tiger Woods is about to do it isn’t he
Looks like it. Incredible after all these years.
Golf is an old man’s game so no surprise a middle aged man winning it.
Not too into golf more of a passing interest but it’s fantastic to see Tiger Woods wina major again
Angel,
Nah, its just predicting the future based on the past.
Liverpool haven’t won the league in how many years and they are managed by someone who has lost 8 finals in a row.
What’re the odds of this combination holding their nerve until the end?
Golf is boring.
Give me some tennis or basketball instead.
Wow… amazing scene at the Masters. That was pretty damn cool.
What a great day of sport
Lewis Hamilton wins in China
Chelsea lose at Anfield
Tiger Woods comes through at Augusta
Over to you Mr Emery
The only thing more boring than playing golf is watching it
Tiger was jammy I read. His shots fell nicely even in the rough and trees.
Woods is shit who can only win Majors as a front runner…lol
Un
Have another wank
Champagne charlieApril 14, 2019 15:24:35 Will someone explain to Banford that Arsenal lost Alexis, and sold both Theo and Giroud the January we bought Auba….He’s not acknowledge that rather clear contextual element and insists we binned the idea Lacazette was good enough after 4 months of a season. Lad can’t comprehend anything that doesn’t involve someone getting binned. —————— Pointless, explaining to a thicko like him.No way-a Harvard Grad,at best a Harvard dropout,or signed up for a summer class. Absolutely painful and cringe-worthy reading some of his bullshit arguments like the current Laca vs Auba debate. Certainly up there with… Read more »
Un Re: Kroenkes Well ,I am retired and live in Joburg I would like to think- I would be more rebellious than the current fanbase are. I am sure if the board foistered David Pleat upon us – the majority of fans – would say ‘ give him a chance’ Frankly, your good self, Guns of H ,Pierre, author PedRo- excepted Most of the fanbase – seem a spineless, sycophantic bunch( although I do have soft spot for Bd and HL) I can t continue to rant. They need to be proactive We are The Arsenal. Bloody start act liking… Read more »
Speaking of bizarre.
Charlie George A few questions: one, what is it that ownership isn’t doing that they should be doing? You know that the owner can’t simply add his own money to the club’s transfer kitty, right? Or is your issue with them that they haven’t adopted your nativist approach to things, i.e., hire British or hire people with longstanding PL or Arsenal ties? Who says a different owner would adopt this approach? Who says that even a British owner would adopt this approach? Seems to me a matter of philosophy; some owners would agree with you, some wouldn’t. Did Guardiola or… Read more »
Cg
You live in joburg???
Bam
Sack gazidis
Sacking wenger sooner
Ensuring the likes of rvp and cesc honoured their contacts
Surrounded the existing class players with new world class leaders
Hire top level recruitment team
Make better sponsorship deals
Spend the money they had rather than hoard it
Not take £3m out of the club
Not take the club private
Hire top top level manager when they are available (klopp, pep, allegri, Ancelotti)
All names that could have taken us to titles.
Handle player contracts before it’s too late.
Is that enough for you?
Oh and do more to recruit the most talented youngsters in the country and ingrain and arsenal style winning mentality in them.
Bam
2 boycott the games and merchandise
PhD and CC
An unsolicited advice from me – simply skip Bamford’s posts. Life is too short to waste arguing with him.
Don
All of that is in the distant past. What is it that they aren’t doing now? What is it that they haven’t done since replacing Wenger with a new manager and a modern management-executive structure?
By the way, when exactly did you begin calling for Wenger’s dismissal? I don’t remember you here, but perhaps you were loudly calling for him to go elsewhere. When did you become “Wenger out,” exactly?
Bamford
So your argument is that it doesn’t count any more because it’s already happened?
Funny. You weren’t so forgiving for wenger’s mistakes.
I never typed the words wenger out and I wouldn’t type them about emery either. It’s not my style.
Since Wengers dismissal they could have hired Ancelotti or Allegri. They didn’t. Big mistake
They could have sold ozil
They could have kept Ramsey
They waited for gazidis to walk rather than sack him
They fucked up with sven
Always liked Tiger woods and never really got the big deal with him banging pornstars he isn’t the first man to cheat ffs.
Glad he won the masters that’s a nice big middle finger up to those who tried to ruin him.
No, Don, my point is that to still be saying ownership is a problem, you need to be able to point to current ways in which they are a problem, not mistakes they made two years ago or prior. What are the current mistakes they are making? How are they currently holding us back? Do tell. As for “Wenger out,” one didn’t need to type these words to believe that Wenger was a problem and needed to go. So again, when did you personally determine that Wenger needed to go? When did you begin saying this out loud? Or are… Read more »
No. I made it clear I thought he should go and that his time was clealrynup but I refused to abide the spite and vitriol from nobodies like you!!! Johnny come lately rent-a- personality types I’ve told you the CURRENT problems We could now have klopp, pep, Ancelotti or allegri and a couple of actual world class players in our side now l. Is that not currently affecting us? Having a lesser calibre of manager than we could and should have right now? You think you’re being clever by roping off the failures of your compatriot but I’ve got you… Read more »
London
Well, he was also “banging” IHOP waitresses, and making crude and uncomfortable penis jokes to women on the set of this or that TV ad. It was all a bit unseemly. I agree that he isn’t the first man to cheat, and I agree that this Masters win is an enormous accomplishment, but to pretend that there wasn’t anything shameful about his behavior back when he was married is a little much.
Also
We haven’t been higher than third in the table while teams like Liverpool and spurs have overtaken us
Is that not a current problem?
Bamford
Defending martial fidelity even though he doesn’t have wife…. how noble.
Bamford
Penis jokes is just a bit of locker room humour. God this world is far to PC.
Tiger was living every man’s dream: living like Don Draper haha.
Don You don’t have anything on toast, guy. Missing out on Klopp or Guardiola isn’t a current mistake; if you’re going to blame ownership for not replacing Wenger with one of those two, that is a mistake ownership made in the past, like two to three years ago. As for hiring Ancelotti or Allegri — instead of Emery — we’d have to look at the particulars of both of those managers’ situations. Was Allegri really ever even a real possibility? If so, what were his terms? Same goes for Ancelotti. Just saying these names doesn’t mean you’ve proven that ownership… Read more »
London
He wasn’t in a locker room, mate. He was hanging out on the set of a TV ad with advertising professionals, actresses, etc. You may think that kind of thing is in good taste; many people don’t. This is why it grossed various people (read: women) out. That has nothing to do with being “PC”; it has to do with what is in good taste and what is not.
That didn’t stop Trump being president did it?