Grim win, but the most enjoyable of the season

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Via @Arsenal Instagram

I don’t really abide by the winning ugly notion. It’s often used to explain away consistently poor performances that are often a precursor to a dip. However, yesterday’s win over Watford was the most delicious ugly win of the season. Emery proved his mettle, he lined up with a strong side, the aggressive working mentality he’s brought to the team won the first goal, and we held out for our first away clean sheet of the season (felt like our first away win of the season if I’m honest).

Troy Deeney, a man famed for beating up students, did his teams preparation no favours when he threw out a cowardly elbow at the smallest player on our team and took a straight red card. That was a fucking bold decision for the ref to take and in a world of weak decision making, he needs to be commended and give a WH Smith voucher for good service… OR A KNIGHTHOOD.

We didn’t really take advantage of the ten men. Watford showed us that they were still in the game. It didn’t matter though, because lady luck was on our side and grit/determination paid out big.

The first goal came from Auba, he chased down a back pass aggressively and Ben Foster smashed the ball into his heel and the goal was his. You cannot knock that attitude. He has been such a good player for us. He’s clinical even when he’s not looking.

We rode our luck a little. Bernd Leno continued to prove one of the shrewdest signings of last summer. His wrists are rock solid, his reflexes are cat-like and his timing when rushing players gets better and better. He was a real lifesaver last night. It’s been well over ten years since we had a keeper worth net+ points. I love him. It’s a huge risk to buy a keeper on a downward spiral, it’s such a confidence position, but Sven M dropped a world class decision there.

I think it’s worth giving Mustafi a shout out. Always a huge risk at the back, but his aerial aggression kept us in it late. Whatever you think about the German, he’s an absolute athlete and he loves the fight.

Also… AMN, my man… that tracking late on to deny Andre Gray late on was exceptional defending. He really has grown into his position. I didn’t have faith he could be a good right back, I know the club rated him as a midfielder, but my oh my, he has excelled. We don’t need to go into the market there this summer, that’s for sure.

So two things we learned last night. Away form is in the head. We have the players, the performance was rough last night, but we delivered the three points. Now we have build from that and do it against Napoli on Thursday and then the really tough one… Wolves next Wednesday.

The second thing we learned is this team, under Emery, can deal with pressure. An Arsene Wenger side would have collapsed under the barrage of yesterday. Our boys didn’t. Everyone put in a shift, even if the performance was grim.

A good day to be an Arsenal fan… we’re in the mix, keeping up the pressure, onto the next!

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Marko

Was Aguero interfering with play?

He passed it to Sterling so yeah.

DaleDaGooner

City and the talk of a quadruple…LOL, AJAX1 AJAX!! AJAX!!!

Little Mozart

There’s nothing special about Pep he can’t do shit without money. Pep is a fraud only masked by spending big or signing for a club already good.

DaleDaGooner

Was Kompany a liability???

Dissenter

Spurs are within three games of winning a CL trophy

They definitely can beat Ajax and who knows what can happen in a one-off game with Barcelona in the final

Damn VAR

DaleDaGooner

That Son though, very good player…..would have been so nice in Red and White…..

DaleDaGooner

I hope Ajax smashes the spuds, I hope so…

Marko

Maybe Pep is a fraud. He’s a total bottler though he fucked it up in the first leg by not doing enough for an away goal I mean leaving De Bruyne and Sane on the bench until the last 5 mins was a cock up and then tonight he brings on Sane who’s got 15 goals and 16 assists this season for the final 7 mins. And starts Fernandinho on the bench and they concede 2 inside 13 minutes. Pep that’s on you mate

bennydevito

What an unbelievable finish!

Marko

I’m still going to go with Ajax though. Their ability to dominate possession should see them through

Un Battle Angel

Marko What was that you little pussy hole? Hahahahahahahaaaaa Wooooweeee That’s how you run a club. Fuck your oil money. Fuck pep. Fuck your billion pound squad. Few English players from the lower league and a few cheap foreign gems and hey presto. No quadruple for city Hope Liverpool nick the league Shove your oil clubs up your arse Dissenter Crying? Moi? Not a a chance. Why would I cry over spurs losing? I just hate city. They’re a symbol of all that is wrong with modern football Hope they beat spurs this weekend though. The league is different. I… Read more »

bennydevito

I don’t think it’s fair to call Pep a fraud though surely? Spurs playes really well and scored 3 away goals, can’t blame Pep for that.

They’re also top of the league with the best Liverpool team and manager of all time so I don’t think that makes Pep a fraud.

Un Battle Angel

I’m still going to go with Ajax though. Their ability to dominate possession should see them through

Marko
You’re praying aren’t you??
Bet spurs will reach the final. VAR saves the day
Good old VAR. Two correct decisions saved a travesty
Good old fashioned English football on show there from spurs. High tempo, high powered football.

We could learn a lot from them

Un Battle Angel

They’re also top of the league with the best Liverpool team and manager of all time so I don’t think that makes Pep a fraud.

Benny
You obviously never watched Liverpool in the 80s

Un Battle Angel

Or 70s

Dissenter

Benny
“I don’t think it’s fair to call Pep a fraud though surely? Spurs playes really well and scored 3 away goals, can’t blame Pep for that.They’re also top of the league with the best Liverpool team and manager of all time so I don’t think that makes Pep a fraud.”

Nope he is a fraud
He’s choked at this stage against lesser teams [ for the most part] over and over again
He;s never reached the final of the CL without Messi

Redtruth

Spirs winning has handed Ajax a bye to the Final ..yippee..

Marko

Hahahahahahahaaaaa
Wooooweeee

Don’s happier tonight than he was on Monday.

Dissenter

Un na ‘You’re praying aren’t you?? Bet spurs will reach the final. VAR saves the day Good old VAR. Two correct decisions saved a travesty Good old fashioned English football on show there from spurs. High tempo, high powered football. We could learn a lot from them” Do you want to know why Spurs caught up with us? Because a certain Monsieur was stinking out the place finding the next level and struggling with his zipper. Refusing to strengthen his team in a transfer window, allowing players to run out their contracts and exhausting the goodwill of the fans before… Read more »

bennydevito

Un B,

That was sarcasm aimed at a few of the Klopp the cock suckers on here. If you’ve read any of my posts the last few days you’ll have seen my explanation of my hatred of Liverpool based on my childhood experience of the Arsenal Liverpool rivalry from 89 and 91.

Un Battle Angel

Dissenter

You aren’t wrong but you forgot that they have an ambitious owner and we don’t
End of story. Full stop. Period.

Marko

You’re praying aren’t you??
Bet spurs will reach the final

Very odd interaction from Don tonight. We’ll have to remember this the next time he tries to educate a foreign fan on what it means to be an Arsenal supporter.

Un Battle Angel

Marko

Remember all you want. I’d cheer on any under dog against crass oil clubs
As far as I’m concerned PSG Chavs and city can rot.
Also the fact that spurs develops young English lads meant my patriotic nationalistic tendancies swing towards the English side. Hopefully their blue print might help to restore the National game

bennydevito

Llorente’s goal definitely rolled off his forearm and onto his hip and into the goal, I agree with Ferdinand there.

Alex James

Dreadful. A crap day for any true Arsenal fan. And it could yet get worse.

Un Battle Angel

Alex James
Rather than wishing for the demise of clubs who are ambitious and run themselves well why do t you focus your positive energy on us getting an owner like levy. Who’s seen his club reach the CL semi final and kroenke has seen his make the second round a few times and get wiped out 10-1 by Bayern.

Kroenke out

Marko

Also the fact that spurs develops young English lads meant my patriotic nationalistic tendancies swing towards the English side

So Winks and Kane then

Alex James

I don’t wish to engage with Spurs lovers.

Marko

Dreadful. A crap day for any true Arsenal fan. And it could yet get worse.

Agree. Just try explaining that to a dumbshit though.

Un Battle Angel

Marko

Are you saying that rose, trippier and Ali haven’t devilled at Tottenham?
Hahahah what a mug. Stick to the hurling doughnut

Un Battle Angel

Marko

Are you saying that rose, trippier and Ali haven’t developed at Tottenham?
Hahahah what a mug. Stick to the hurling doughnut

Dissenter

Un na The ENIC group that own spurs haven’t spend any more than Kroenke The difference is that they had managers that could be fired without cause for not meeting targets while we had a manager that behaved like he was owed an unpayable debt by the club. Wenger thwarted every move to modernize the club’s management because it would reduce his power. He undermined the board, over-ruled scouts [by his own account] and forced a foolish wage bill that has been an anchor around out necks to this day. Question- What do we have to learn? Answer – The… Read more »

Un Battle Angel

Funny

You Cunts were cheering when we lost games under wenger but this is a dark dark day isn’t it?? Except nothing has changed
We’ve lost wenger
We are still top 4 merchants at best and still nowhere near a champions league quarter final. Still we have Unai though so alls we’ll that ends well eh?

Un Battle Angel

Dissenter
Then an ambitious opener would have fucked him off and hired klopp or pep or allegri or pochetino or tuchel. But we got emery. Woop di fucking dooo. How riveting

Un Battle Angel

Dissenter
Then an ambitious owner would have fucked him off and hired klopp or pep or allegri or pochetino or tuchel. But we got emery. Woop di fucking dooo. How riveting

Marko

why do t you focus your positive energy on us getting an owner like levy.

First off it’s don’t and secondly don’t turn it around and make it about us or Kroenke. You’re an idiot who on another day would ridicule someone because they’re not from England and don’t get being an Arsenal fan to all night long cheering on Spurs in embarrassing fashion. You’re a joke dum dum

Charlie George

Another Game spoilt by these ridiculous turquoise kits these days. Let’s Hope Ajax takes Spurs to The Cleaners in the Semi Finals.(((… High Leg/Marko ( you wont get that))) Four Great Clubs in the Semis. All achieving success- the right way. Wonderful to see The Artificial Clubs out ( PSG/Man City) I have it said before – and will repeat it again. It might take Spurs winning the CL- to awake us out of our slumbers. The Kreonkes Worst Nightmare- Spurs winning the CL…. fans will be in revolt…. Anyone comparing the serene ,brilliant team builder Poch to our scatty,… Read more »

Redtruth

Spurs have done no more than throw a spanner in the works to Man City’s Quadruple dream. The Semi-Final will be a step to far for the Spuds.

Marko

Are you saying that rose, trippier and Ali haven’t developed at Tottenham?

None came through their academy and all were signed for transfer fees. What do you think dumbo. Know what don’t answer that

Un Battle Angel

Marko

Alright you little fairy. You enjoy being triggered. You dont half get bent out of shape for a nihilist. Aren’t you meant to be apathetic.

Marko

Spurs winning the CL…. fans will be in revolt….

Well not everyone

Un Battle Angel

Marko

Have they developed at spurs? Yes or no?
Were They champions league and international players before they joined spurs. Noooo
Well there’s your answer then. You really need to lead the paddies right to water don’t ya?

Redtruth

Guardiola has form when it comes to flopping in the Champions league so no surprise City are out

Un Battle Angel

I don’t particularly want spurs to win anything. I’m just delighted they put city out. And I’ll never be ashamed to admit that.

Un Battle Angel

CG

With you all the way there mate. You get football. Unlike others one here.

Un Battle Angel

CG

With you all the way there mate. You get football. Unlike others on here.

Redtruth

Glad Spurs won rather than Man City as City were a greater threat to reaching a Final.

Charlie George

Good Evening/Morning….Un
Was out today.
Safari

Thank you.

bennydevito

Saw the replay from a different angle they didn’t use in VAR and it’s clearly struck his arm and then the deflection has directed it onto his thigh and into the goal. That is hand ball and should have been disallowed.

Redtruth

benny

Your cyclops eye has malfunctioned.
The angle shown.on VAR clearly shows the ball missing his arm.

bennydevito

Question is; how will this affect the City Spuds league game now? I was hoping for a Spuds defeat to leave them deflated for the weekend but now they’ll be right up for it. Will City be out for revenge or will they now be deflated and crumble in the league?

Was counting on City doing Spuds this weekend for our top 4 chances.

Marko

Your cyclops eye has malfunctioned.

Sorry but I thought this was hilarious

bennydevito

Red,

They showed a different angle on the BT sport highlights show that they said wasn’t used on the VAR and the ball striking his arm first is very clear.

Dissenter

“Four Great Clubs in the Semis.
All achieving success- the right way.”

Since when did Spouds become a “great club”

Chuckle Charlie George
Amusing le-grove since 2019

Redtruth

It can’t be clear, it must be an optical illusion as the angle used by VAR shows it to be a legit goal.

Dissenter

*Since when did Spuds become a “great club”

Charlie George

Dis I thought you were one of the more discerning posters . Spurs are a great club. Big Deal But they are not as Great as The Arsenal. But they will usurp us- if they put scintillating shows like tonight in their turquoise kit- and ws play like we did Monday in ours. They have Poch We have Emery. We should fight fire with fire with the potential European Champions.( I think – they will fall short in the final,mind) And appoint Patrick Vieira- for next season. He might not be ‘ the best coach nor best tactician ‘ but… Read more »

bennydevito

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156339369167879&id=760342878

This is the angle they didn’t show on the VAR replay. Watch it and it clearly shows the ball striking his arm and ricocheting down onto his hip and into the goal.

I recorded it off of the BT sport highlights programme and put it public on my Facebook.

Thoughts?

Please don’t laugh too much at my Bristolian accent! 🤣

Tony

Said yesterday I felt Spuds could beat City. Just perfect as they have more games to play.

Now we need City to wreak havoc with Spuds at the weekend seeking revenge.

No surprise with Liverpool’s result.

Seems United can’t keep their players with Barca after Rashford and Him stalling on a new contract.

Tony

Son missing for the home game against Ajax could hurt them and I hope Ajax rips them a new one.

Tony

Emery & Papa making all the right noises now let’s see the team do exactly what they say away in Napoli!

Emery got it right at the Emirates so more of the same in Napoli.

No excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6933605/Arsenal-defender-Sokratis-insists-Watford-win-provides-perfect-platform-ahead-Napoli-clash.html

Tony

Ajax gave us total football in the 70s with Cruyff and was something of beauty for those of lucky enough to witness it.

https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/what-is-total-football-famous-tactics-explained-the-clubs/w5yd5dzofn4p17ewmav4atk2b

Now they are back with a wonderful blend of youth and experience maybe reminiscence of Fergie’s kids + experience.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6931671/The-Ajax-stars-whove-stunned-world-Champions-League-miracle.html

Will Raul and Emery learn anything from this?

Tony

those of us*

gonsterous

CG

They have Poch
We have Emery.

hahaha I love how everything is emerys fault. Lovely, forget how many years poch has been at spuds and achieved fk all, and compare that to emerys transitional season. Can’t wait for the groovers to pin the summer disaster on the manager. It’ll be more entertaining than arsenal fan TV after a defeat…

Un Battle Angel

Gons

If the summer is indeed a disaster then we all know why. There’s no Ivan and Arsene to carry tha can any more fore the leech

Tony

Anyone know much about this guy other than what Google offers?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-transfer-news-aaron-ramsey-14389215

Tony

Yup Un it all falls on Raul’s shoulders

Tony

Unless of course Raul has brought in a TD/DoF scapegoat or uses Morrow to deflect blame.

Un Battle Angel

Tony.

Not if kroenke refuses to release significant funds. We need at least two defensive recruits.

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