Thursday nights are party nights. Unai Emery has turned a pub level competition into a feast for the eyes. He’s taken Wenger’s post-2004 model for the League cup and amped up one of the least glamorous nights in the game. He’s turned Jumpin’ Jacks into an 80s night or decadence on the French Riviera.
Last night, we learned a lot during a brutal dismantling of a very average Standard Liege side.
Gabriel.
This kid is electric. A livewire. A striking talent as clinical and exciting as Nic Anelka from 1997.
The Brazilian didn’t care about the rain, he just made it happen for himself. He scored his second header of his Arsenal career when he nodded a near post Tierney pass across goal. It looked simple, but my word he had a lot to do there. His second was all about archetypal Brazilian footwork, he shuffled his feet, created half a yard and stroked a simple strike across goal.
He was more than just goals, he helped gift Ceballos an easy finish with a dinked cross for our 4th. He nearly assisted a penalty when he eased Reiss Nelson into the box with an Ozil like piece of passing craft.
When Unai Emery bizarrely brought Auba on late in the game, Garbriel switched out to the left and managed to deliver more crosses to feet than Kola did all last season. I’d imagine he’s going to get the early days Thierry treatment, start out left, learn the trade, own the centre when it’s time.
Overall, I am VERY excited about this guy. If this is Edu’s magic, I implore you all to pen him a handwritten thank you letter, like those your mum made you send circa 1992.
Willock.
Another game, another goal. The Englishman did himself all the favours with a very strong performance. He’s an all action hero. He passes well, he doesn’t dither, he has incredible instincts for sniffing out dangerous areas to stand. He also works really hard, he never stops running and for me, he gives us an edge when he’s on the pitch.
It’s tough for Emery, because he’s deeply in love with Xhaka and it’s hard to blood too many kids at the same time. The Swiss might have more experience, he might be less rough round the edges, but a good game from Willock gives us so much more than the rarity of a good game from our captain.
Midfield.
Emery opted for something that looked normal and ambitious. When the Spaniard is up against meek opposition, he makes smart choices. LT the deepest in the pivot. Ceballos, picking up the Ramsey sort of role. Willock marshalling ahead of LT. That’s balance. It worked. We looked good. We weren’t rattled.
The manager might not be able to roll with that midfield at the moment because of experience, but long term, that’s where it has to go. We have to prioritize energy and we have to let players do what they’re good at. We have to stop thinking Xhaka is going to come good.
Fullbacks.
The last myth of Unai Emery… the fullbacks. If we’re to believe some of the staunch believers, the whole system is broken because of two players. We knew tonight the team would have fun day out whoever played, so I’m not surprised Tierney and Hector made the managers last excuse look like a good one. Kieran T was immense, a chance creation machine. He’s fast, direct, aggressive and his delivery is elite. Hector was a little off comparably, but still gave us a better presence on the right. These two aren’t going to save Emery long term, but they’ll give a terminally ill patient a kick of life that’ll convince people Emery can fix Arsenal (like that unbeaten run). We have a lot of easy games coming up, those two coming back will make mincemeat of teams, but it’s not enough.
Emery.
He put on a great show in a competition Raul called his comfort blanket. He’s still making bizarre decisions. Bringing on Auba when you’re 4 up against a pub team is negligent. Our season depends on him, mad that we’re taking risks AGAIN. Second worry is the inconsistency of his messaging on ostracized players. He gave Ozil one of the captains armbands. He didn’t even pick him in the squad. I am not fan of Ozil, but I am a believer in clarity of leadership. At the moment, what he’s doing looks like it’s spite driven.
‘Ozil deserves this’
Sure, as a fan, you have the right to think that. But players in a working environment likely do not see Ozil as the devil. He has status because of who he is in the global pecking order of football and what he can do on the training pitch. Good players want to play with great players. Emery picking on him might not bite him now, but it will at some point.
Consistency is a leadership virtue, if you are ostracizing someone because they wouldn’t leave in the summer, don’t put Mustafi in the squad. If you’re giving someone the captains armband, have them in the squad for a Europa League game. If your leadership lacks basic principals, whispers will start and you’ll let the demons into the camp. Big names can cause big problems. Emery had this at PSG and it killed him, it is shocking to see him make the same mistakes again, especially after the mess he created with Ramsey last year… and remember, before you go off at me on this one, none of this would be relevant if he didn’t give the armband to someone who has NOT been a leader. One of the most confusing contradictions I’ve ever witnessed in sport.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.xxx
Jack will be playing inside attacker
Dissenter “Why is that you’re quick to swat off any perceived Emery criticisms from those that think they’ve seen enough? I ask all of you Emery hold-outs sincerely … When do you get to that Rubicon?” This comment indicates that you aren’t seeing the arguments or lines of division here very well. When some of us reject some of the criticism of Emery or reject some of the judgments made about him, it’s not because we don’t think there are valid criticisms of him, and it’s not because we think he’s the man for the job long-term. I see a… Read more »
Dissenter – “It’s obvious that I was commenting about the investment Moshiri was committing towards Everton in that transfer window. That’s where the leapfrogging came from.” This is disingenuous, or stupid. You included “City, Chelsea, and Spuds” as the clubs (along with Everton) having leap-frogged us over the last decade. If the context is solely about club spending power, Spurs have no business being included in clubs ‘leap-fogging’ us. They’re £1B in debt, and barring this summer, had close to a zero net spend. Take the L, Everton has not leap-frogged us, so I would stop patting yourself on the… Read more »
Zaha knows how to turn into the tackle, most players learn to ride it or get away from it, not him.
Have to say I really like West Ham and Palace’s kits. For some reason they make me think of subbuteo kits way back when. (Excuse the 70s nostalgia you young uns).
10:39 AM · Jul 31, 2019 https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1156469526105640960 Tony Cascarino thinks Pochettino won’t last the season at #THFC. “If I was a Spurs fan I’d be concerned.” “If you asked me which boss out of the top teams would leave next I’d have to say Poch.” 👀 “I don’t feel he’s committed to the football club long-term.” And another one in 2nd of August by Martin Samuel: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7311999/Who-blame-Tottenham-tire-Mauricio-Pochettinos-games.html Last week Pochettino was walking out had Tottenham won the Champions League, this week he wanted a demotion in title because he had no say in transfer dealings. It is all, Pochettino’s disciples… Read more »
Burnley in 5th. They’ll be pushing for a top 6 place
Jamie “Dissenter picks a new team to make the top 4 every season. West Ham, Everton, now Leicester. A little too early to be patting himself on the back.” This is the first salvo you directed at me, which was fusillade of silly lies because the only club I ever talked about top-4 is Leicester….and that comment was made in April 2019 when they were mid-table under a new manager. I made the “leap-frogging” comment regarding Moshiri’s investment in a transfer window. You know that but you lying ways won’t let to concede it. Have a good day, wont waste… Read more »
VAR getting it right on the finest of margins.
Bloody hell.
Some people saw the writing on the wall long time ago. Problem is that Poch’s attitude reflected on the players attitude and this is what you get.
They paid 45m for Sigurdsson as well. I mean as you say he delivers a mean set-piece and has a hell of a distance shot on him but he’s very ordinary in terms of technical ability and his predictability.
VAR is mental in a way, brings it down into mm to the point whereby there is no advantage being gained, why isn’t it as stringent for GK’s that jump off their line for PK’s.
VAR is amazing. Just the tip of the shoe!
jwl
I find it hilarious you thinking leaving out Xhaka would be detrimental to the team. lol
Bamford, some of us would argue that it was critically team selection that prevented us from dispatching United. It’s not black and white and it’s obviously conjecture but the sum of our parts is down to the person selecting the team.
You’re right to point out that we have/had deficiencies in personnel, mostly in defence but our disfunctioning midfield was avoidable.
Palace are an away team to fear. Much better away from home than at home. Roy has built a team more concerned with results than “playing the right way”.
VAR is a blessing in 99% of the time. Am I entirely sure that this human moved line that started of the hand of Joel Ward was well put or it was well too low next to his elbow? I am not. I think the line was well too forward. You cannot score a legal goal with the part of the hand that played Ayew on imo.
Agreeing with Red, gulp!
Interesting watching the training videos, Luiz and Xhaka drop careless clangers in training as well.
Marko, was that Burnley pushing for top 6 comment, tongue in cheek?
Bob
I’m a firm believer that whilst you can’t expect our defence to perform to it’s best until Tierney and Bellerin are back our CB’s would improve by a couple hundred per cent if they were being protected by a proper DM and didn’t have the fuck up waiting to happen in Xhaka doing the job.
Bamford
My original question to you still stands.
What’s your breaking point for Emery and what will you use to decide that it’s time to go somewhere else?
Dissenter –
“I made the “leap-frogging” comment regarding Moshiri’s investment in a transfer window. You know that but you lying ways won’t let to concede it.”
Nope. You said Spuds also leap-frogged us. What investment at the time had Levy made in any transfer window? From Poch’s arrival to the time you made that statement – £29m.
Ok bye, have a nice day.
Wilshere bundled off the ball. A player who peaked at 19. Makes you realise how much we should temper our excitement about all our teenagers.
Last week Pochettino was walking out had Tottenham won the Champions League, this week he wanted a demotion in title because he had no say in transfer dealings. It is all, Pochettino’s disciples say, part of a cunning plan to get Tottenham’s transfer business done Stuff like this leads me to believe that one can’t wholly blame Spurs troubles on players and dicking wives. He’s actually to blame for a lot of it the manager but irrespective of all that it is currently speaking volumes of him that they seem to be getting worse. Also quick comment on the rumours… Read more »
Does this result mean that West Ham’s CL dream is over? Does it mean they’ll be sucked into a relegation battle?
We need to go on a run to separate ourselves from the crush of so many club bouncing around 3rd-4th.
Seriously, someone on here actually thinks that leaving out Xhaka would be detrimental to the team.
How is that possible?
Palace beat WH at London stadium thanks to VAR.
” how the fuck is keeping Verthongan out for a couple games at the start of the season addressing the issue? How is that good man management?”
Doesn’t that just give him more time and energy to fuck her more?
Palace not West Ham ahead of us Hillwood.
Wtf Marc thats brutal and funny LOL
Bob
Right, and as I pointed out, I agree that his team selection held us back against United. But as I also pointed out, certain players who we’d want to see in the XI were not available to him, and even if he hadn’t selected Xhaka, we still might not have won that match. So it’s not all down to Emery’s selection either. Some of it is down to the quality of players he had at his disposal that night.
Woy could teach Poch a thing or two about grinding out away wins that’s 7 out of his last 10 away now.
VAR is mental in a way, brings it down into mm to the point whereby there is no advantage being gained, why isn’t it as stringent for GK’s that jump off their line for PK’s.
A right decision is a right decision and it should be commended for it. I think the discretion on pens is for the linesman and ref I don’t think they use VAR for feet on the line stuff
Wilshere has been ruined by injuries. His technical superiority can’t hide the fact that he can’t run away from opponents any more.
A shadow of the former self.
Marc
Westham don’t have any historical stature for 4th.
Being safe from relegation by January is a trophy for them. All the hammers I know are preoccupied with just safely staying in the premier league.
That said Manuel Pellegrini has changed the character of the club somewhat. He insisted on a DoF of his choice before committing. They have been buying better players for two consecutive seasons now.
“Palace are an away team to fear. Much better away from home than at home.”
Careful with the praise.
Palace are one of the teams we are playing at home during our ‘easy run’ over the next couple of months.
Looking back at it now, Spuds had a spell of unbelievable luck last season when Harry Kane was out injured. They scored lots of last minute goals.
The decline was just hidden by a massive wave of purple it seems.
raptora
in the first play they drew the line on the defenders foot and on the second the knee of the defender at the back. Atleast i think so.
It such fine margins. The game is so fast you’ll have to freeze the image at the exact right moment. Another ref could very well draw the lines at a different spot and make him offside it seems.
True up to a point Graham, but am looking forward to the point when VAR is not ‘thanked’ . The Palace player was onside that’s why a goal was awarded. The ref just needed a little help if you see what I mean. At the moment it’s novelty gives it more attention, in fact it’s just establishing the truth which is what we all want.
Dissenter “What’s your breaking point for Emery and what will you use to decide that it’s time to go somewhere else?” What does this even mean? I’ve already stated that I don’t think he’s the man for us beyond May, and I think this because I don’t think he has the kind of tactical nous you need to get us from competing-for-fourth to competing-for-titles. If you’re asking what it would take for me to think he needs to go sooner than May, well, I’ve said that clearly as well: for me, if he continues to select Xhaka, and if we… Read more »
We need to go on a run to separate ourselves from the crush of so many club bouncing around 3rd-4th.
Yeah definitely not knee jerk. Sure if we don’t go on a run of victories we’ll likely be jostling for position with Burnley West Ham and Palace all season long. Not Leicester though I think it’s a foregone conclusion they’re too far ahead.
FYI Palace next 5 games are City us Chelsea Leicester and Liverpool.
Palace next 5 games: ManU (H), Arsenal (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A), Liverpool (H).
Holy fk. They could steal some points in these games but good for them they got a good amount of points before this hellish run.
Dissenter
I was taking the piss out of those prophesizing on how the season will end with 90 points still to play for!
Just a bit of banter.
The concept of “not interfering with play” in offside-decision making is very subjective.
In that frame shot, Zaha was offside and away from the ball but the goal keeper has to factor him into any decision making. he would have been caught between covering him or Ayew [who was onside]
They should just make the rule same as handballs in the box; any attacking player offside should disqualify the goal.
Dissenter
During the xG arguments, I told Pedro that if Managers were judged by xG, Poch would be a very poor manager as his teams outperformed the xG stats.
Is Poch a good manager yes, great no.
I’ll say Poch and Emery are like Wenger and Mourinho.
WestHam do not have a striker who can conjure something out of nothing. Somebody who can score on a regular basis more than 15 goals in the premiership league. All top 4 have at least one such player.
Without that player, WestHam will dominate games and then fail to win. The last step from also-ran to Real top 4 contender is the most difficult. Leicester has a chance because they have Vardy. However the rest of their squad is not up to that level.
Bamford’
Fair enough.
I asked because a mere mention of the manager’s pathetic excuse making when we drew at Watford provoked a vigorous defense from you.
They should just make the rule same as handballs in the box; any attacking player offside should disqualify the goal.
The rule is the rule and has been for years. Why should they change it now because it seems that you don’t understand it.
Goonah: “Another ref could very well draw the lines at a different spot and make him offside it seems.”
Agreed. My thoughts exactly.
Marko
VAR should be used for all goal related incidents, including GK’s coming off the line.
Actually, just thought, wouldn’t it be great to have the theme music to “Jaws” when VAR is reviewing incidents.
Then, if VAR shows no goal “Another one bites the dust” blasts out over the tannoy.
I know, fudging ridiculous.
People need to stop. Offside is offside fuck gaining an advantage that should not come into anything it’s between the click of a mouse and a line on a computer and that’s it.
“Not Leicester though I think it’s a foregone conclusion they’re too far ahead.”
I promise I’m not laughing at this foresight. I’m more jealous and resentful.
VAR should be used for all goal related incidents, including GK’s coming off the line.
I know but it’s not. To be fair most keepers are obeying that one from what I can tell
I agree with your point Dissenter. If the rules were clear then VAR would be less controversial. I’ve always disliked the effecting play rule. How can a defender not consider the positioning of a player in an ‘advanced’ position? If they get the ball they’re offside but if they don’t receive it, they’re not. The defender, before the ball is delivered has to consider their own positioning in relation to the attacking player whether they receive the ball or not. For me therefore, by definition the ‘advanced’ player is effecting the play. clear as mud?
2 or 3 of the goals that Villa scored vs Norwich were through mistakes playing out from the back. See if that’s a decent idea to persist with when you are coaching not so talented players.
I’m all for players not gaining an advantage Marko but when a goal is chalked off because a player’s toe/kneecap/arse is hanging out even though their body is in line it’s a bit OTT.
We had one written off at home vs the Spuds because Kola’s leg was dangling offside even though his body was in line.
Surely you’re having a laugh re GK’s obeying the letter of the law, I’d say 90% of them encroach off their line before the spot kick is taken.
Every Arsenal fan should applaud VAR. The bias these referees have shown against Arsenal with all those dubious penalties over the years. Say anything about Wenger, but I always suspected some of the referees had it in for him, for being a successful foreign coach who was no shrinking violet
They could have made it like in Tennis. I still don’t see the problem of having 2 incorrect challenges per game. It would make it so a VAR intervetion is 1. asked by a team that feels they will get their challenge right and 2. be used whenever they want to, not only when the refs decide to have a look at something and then miss another 5 things.
Bob
Sack Dick
Employ Woy !
We going 3rd tomorrow, with or without Xhaka. From everything I’ve seen so far, I believe City will win the league. Am willing to bet anyone.
The party will be in my house when Tottenham dont make Champs Lg. I wanna see them implode so spectacularly. Poch my asss.
Everton have a lot in common with AC Milan in fact as far as their transfer strategy goes.
Accumulate a comical surplus of overpriced has-beens/media-hyped names rather than employing any meaningful search outside the box for talent.
Their bench tonight contains Rebic, Ricardo Rodriguez, Borini, Rafael Leao, Paqueta, Conti, Bennacer, Castillejo, Donnarumma, Gabia and Krunic. Not to mention having Andre Silva, Laxalt and Gustavo Gomez all out on loan and still on the books.
Definitely are bits and pieces to work with if they ever follow Inter’s lead and get in a proper gaffer though.
I still don’t get why they don’t just stop the clock once the ball is out of play, it’s one thing I’ve always really liked about US sports.
Nothing worse than a VAR circus followed by some seasoned time-wasting and the odd injury knocking off about 10 odd mins in a match only for the customary arbitrary 3-4 stoppage mins added on at the end.
End of 1st half rarely has longer than 1-2 min stoppage time.
Santi Cazorla proving a lot of people wrong including myself, he’s turning back the clock at Villarreal.
Such a brilliant technician.
2morrow results chelsea lose UTD draw, you heard it here 1st!
What I don’t understand is why the GPS player carries on their chest is not used to determine whether a player is offside.
When the difference to determine whether a player is offside is determined by the size of their shoes, to me it makes more sense to measure where the body center is.
Yeah, Santi was outstanding vs Barca a week or so ago. They couldn’t stop him. Definitely had more football in him when we let him go. Happy for him regardless. One of the best players we’ve had in the last decade or so maybe top 5 along with Cesc, RvP, Auba and Alexis.
Monaco losing by 3 to 0 vs Montpellier.
I’m all for players not gaining an advantage Marko but when a goal is chalked off because a player’s toe/kneecap/arse is hanging out even though their body is in line it’s a bit OTT. You can score with a knee and a toe. Offside is offside. We had one written off at home vs the Spuds because Kola’s leg was dangling offside even though his body was in line. Are you for real? This was surely a joke right? Yeah no it should have stood forgetting the fact that his leg was offside. You can’t really do much with a… Read more »
So Martin Keown thinks Saka is better than Pepe huh. No pressure on Saka then. Now he has to outperform a £72 million player.
Yeah you’re right about the stoppage time always being nonsense. There’s supposed to be 30 seconds added for each substitution. Well most matches contain 5 or 6 second half subs which means 2:30-3:00 of injury time in the second half already assuming not one second of other stoppages I think realistically every second half should be running with 5-7 mins of stoppage time but they only do that if like 3 players collapse and die or whatever It’s negligent from the refs just not doing their jobs properly Same for the keepers coming off their lines for penalties. How hard… Read more »
What I don’t understand is why the GPS player carries on their chest is not used to determine whether a player is offside. When the difference to determine whether a player is offside is determined by the size of their shoes, to me it makes more sense to measure where the body center is. I guess because not all players have the same body size. Look I don’t know why all you twats are going on about it when they’re getting these types of decisions right. My only issue is with some of the interpretation of handballs but I’ve yet… Read more »
Also isn’t there a time limit on how long a keeper can hold the ball?
I’ve literally counted opposition keepers hit 20 seconds countless times without response from the refs
Unfortunately the reffing authorities are all useless wankers
The best thing for offside would just be to remove all linesman and use GPS technology in real time as you say so we don’t need to watch shit linesmen or watch 5 mins for them to watch VAR videos
So that Hamza Choudhury lad is a dirty piece of shit. Literally that’s 3 players now in the last few months that he’s taken out due to dirty challenges. Salah today Matt Richie earlier in the season and he nearly took Bamba’s leg clean off in the under 21 championship. Scumbag
China “Yeah you’re right about the stoppage time always being nonsense.” There is a simple solution for time wasting. Nearly all time wasting occurs in the closing stages of the game I would imagine. On 75 minutes a stop clock should start with a countdown of 15 minutes to play plus any time added on , say 2 minutes,.making a total of 17 minutes to play . From that moment, every time there is a stoppage in play the clock stops until the 17 minutes is up. This immediately stops all time wasting, feigning injuries etc.and would make the closing… Read more »
China1
Should be 10 seconds max for GK’s.
On a positive point Arsenal have not played particularly well this season in the EPL, but my view on the evidence of what I have seen in the Europa Cup the club will get better. We have got clearly squad depth that was not available last season with five youngsters beginning to make an impact. Also I think that our defence will improve once both Bellerin and Tierney are selected for the first team. They are better players than Messrs Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac and Chambers. Also we should have a strong strike force and less reliance on Aubameyang once Lacazette returns.… Read more »
Pierre
Firstly I see teams wasting time at the Emirates in the first half. Secondly why not just take your idea and apply it to the 90?
If ref’s managed the game properly it wouldn’t be a problem. The ref’s watch should be connected to the clock on the score board – that way everyone knows when the ref has stopped play and when he hasn’t.
Emirates
It’s that kind of moderate, measured intelligent view that made me take a break from here – just fucking leave it out OK?
Stroller my head is spinning with the logic behind what you say
If Emery does insist on playing Xhaka tomorrow I think we need to play Guendouzi and Willock either side of him. They have the legs, the physicality and the engine to play CDM and CM effectively with Willock slightly more advanced.
I just don’t think Torreira has the legs or engine to play a highly mobile role and because Xhaka is sat in his position he doesn’t really fit.
I’d sooner have Torreira playing over Xhaka but we all
know Errorsaurus will be playing.
Cesc
Wow you’ve just managed to send me into a major spiral of depression.
The sudden realisation that if you put Xhaka in the Gunnersaurus suit he’d manage to wipe some poor kid out with a mistimed lunge when he’s supposed to give him a tee shirt or something.
I’ve also just checked and Gunnersaurus actually beat Xhaka in the sprint timings.
It’s deeply deeply disturbing.
ES is the only sensible poster on here.
I love his posts.
It’s like drinking Hot Chocolate before you go to bed.
Please don’t mock him.
Marc and Marko
Are you one of the same?
Graham
No we’re not and I think Emirates is one of the most balanced posters on here. When I make a comment like that it’s in no way having a pop at Emirates it’s a bit of sarcasm towards some of the knee jerk reactionaries who need to take a nice deep breath.
With a c is back
Where ya bin…
Marc
I honestly think Gunnersaurus could cover more ground in the middle than his cousin Errorsaurus.
Last game when Guen was sub in, he replaced Torr as DM while Torr was asked to play further forward. I have a feeling that Emery wants to play Guen as DM from now on. Xhaka would be playing slightly ahead of him.
Torr is only good as DM. He isn’t effective at all when he is playing further forward.
Wouldn’t write spurs off yet..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jnanCKaA-FY
Northern lights trilogy is about to begin
Best trilogy of books I’ve encountered. Gorged myself on them as a teenager. Hopefully this series will do the books justice. Totally opened my eyes to the control and manipulation of the church and altered my perspective on society forever.
RSPC
Took a break from here – nothing complicated.
How are you keeping?
“Spurs new boy Ndombele obviously struggling with the intensity levels of the EPL. It can’t be different for Pepe, who I’m hoping will settle in quick enough.”
I guess Pep saw something in Ndombele that he didn’t like, hence his decision to move for Rodrigo.
Kind of reminds me of how Fred was rumoured to join City, only for Utd to usurp them and end up with a £60m dud.
Cesc
No way Xhaka’s surviving the Cretaceous extinction event – too slow too dumb.
Carts
Same thing happened with City and Sanchez. ManU have pissed some serious money up the wall on some pretty poor players over the last couple of years.
WengerEagleOctober 5, 2019 20:05:41 It’s funny you mention that, because every year im sure teams meet up with the Premier League with an agenda. For example: the decision to move the transfer window out of sync with the rest of Europe. Now the next agenda is to close domestic transfer window but allow for business to still happen with the rest of Europe. Yet no one thinks to raise an agenda around stopping the clock when the ball goes out of play. Though might I add, some research has been ongoing into shortening the halves as data suggests that the… Read more »
Marc
yes and that too.
Similarly to what WE said: are team actually taking a holistic look at their gaps or are they coat tailing other teams hoping for a bit of luck?
Carts
I think they’ve tried to prove they’re still a major player as a club to appease the fans. I’m positive they could have got Pogba for less but they wanted to set a World record so they could boast about it. That’s working out as well.
Oh wow just seen the Liverpool pen – he didn’t go down with the contact but after it.
This is where VAR has been awful, if the ref has given a decision they won’t over turn it.
It’s easy to go back and review a goal for off side etc as the ref hasn’t made a decision but where a ref has missed something or got it wrong they won’t go against him.
Here is what I am thinking: Among other things, making Xhaka the club captain and playing him all the time does not prove Emery clueless. But, bringing in Auba late on as sub in the Europa game (pointless when we are 4 – 0 ahead) and risking pointless injury make me think that there is something seriously wrong with this manager, seriously wrong! No amount of incompetence can hide this.
Garry Neville was spot on on Monday Night Football about three weeks ago. Clearly the referees in the VAR booth are under instructions to not make overrule the referee on decision that can be construed as opinion based rather than fact based such as offside, handball.
The problem is that also means that when the on site referee has clearly make a mistake, the video referee won’t correct it. I also think that if a Leicester player had fallen like that, the penalty would not have been given and it would not have been overrule either.