Come on guys, pull yourself together. Get out from under that Invincibles duvet, wipe the tears from your face, and gear yourself up for another restart to our jittery season.
The weekend was kind to us, it metaphorically lay on the bed with us and stroked our hair. Spurs lost to Wolves. Chelsea were lucky to pick up a draw against Bournemouth. United were OUTRAGEOUSLY lucky to get away with another VAR disasterclass in their Everton draw. Liverpool let us in with a sniff and LOST against Watford.
Let’s talk about that. If you can’t enjoy that as an Arsenal fan you’re a fucking weirdo. Can’t have all these dickheads out here telling fans they’re not elite for celebrating the continuity of the greatest Premier League record of all time. Nihilist football fans are an absolute scourge, we had to put up with that lot when they were trying to tear down passion as a staple requirement, they whine about the transfer window… I won’t have them willing Liverpool on.
Watford though. What a performance from Nigel Pearson’s team. They absolutely beasted Liverpool. They were VERY unlucky not to win by more. Liverpool were fucked, they have played at an outrageously high level all season. Though I will say this, I think they have fully taken advantage of everyone dropping off this year. It’ll be very interesting to see if they can maintain this next year.
Onto today. With the league opening up again, we have to take advantage. There’s no time for moping around and crying about the situation. The players need to pick themselves up, the manager needs to come armed with a good plan for this evening. The run in the league starts with a positive performance this evening. There’s so much on the line, this summer looks very different if we creep into the top 4. Arteta had this to say.
‘I think the damage caused by the club not being in the Champions League for the third season is really big,’
‘Financially the impact is enormous because the structure of this club is built to be in the Champions League and you can sustain that for one year or two, but then after you have to start making decisions.
‘So we will have to make decisions one way or the other depending on the scenario we find ourselves, whether we are in the Champions League, Europa League or nowhere near that.
‘And we’ll have a very clear plan of what we want to do and depending where we are we have to act like this.’
One of the worst decisions we made this season was to not pull the trigger on Emery before the international break. We should have had a plan in place for a replacement this summer, we all knew where it was going. If we’d gone before the break, Arteta would have had more time with the squad and we’d have been further along with our plan right now. I also suspect we’d have more points in the bag.
If we win our game in hand, we’ll go level with Spurs on points. We’d then be 5 points off 4th and 2 from 5th. I know it’s a massive long shot, but we have to be in the game of hope. It’s basically one game a week for the rest of the season, more time, less effort than some of those around us, and an opportunity to really attack that position and show the fans what we’re made of. This moment would be Arsene Wenger catnip back in the day, just when you thought you were out, he’d put on a run for the ages.
Again, a longshot at this point, but I’m sure Arteta is gunning for it behind the scenes. Our 5 league games are West Ham, Brighton, Southampton, Norwich and Wolves. We absolutely have to win all 5 of those to be within spitting distance heading into our final 5 which are a little more difficult… but if we build momentum, who knows? Spurs are all over the place, Liverpool will be dreaming of back-to-back Champions League finals, and I always fancy us against Leicester, even when they were winning the league.
So it’s a dream big last 10 games. The players have a lot to prove. The manager has the chance to turn sad faces into smiles. The fans have the chance at a little bit of joy in an otherwise miserable season.
The run starts tonight, let’s hope we see a proper cup performance from Arsenal. Ruthless, agressive with some goals.
Also, if you want some grim reading, take a look at this thread from the Swiss Ramble.
Arsenal’s 2018/19 financial results covered a season when they finished 5th in the Premier League, while reaching the Europa League final. This was first season in 22 years without manager Arsène Wenger, who was replaced by Unai Emery. Some thoughts in the following thread #AFC
— Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) March 2, 2020
Last chance for you to listen to our podcast.
There’s no reaction from our loss on Thursday.
We are picking up right where we left if last week. The now familiar Arsenal malaise has overtaken Arteta too.
What is up with Mari anyone? Is he injured?
This is as bad as anything served up by emery – how can we have this little penetration against a league 1 side ?
Good save by Mari!
Why was Guendouzi booked?
Mari is playing.
I do like Nelson in a basic sense, good engine, quick, can hug the touch line and work both ways, his final ball and personality will need to come out more if he’s to be an Arsenal player longer term.
Didn’t take Mike Dean long to play his hand. Such a cock
Why is Dean referring this…man is a twat. Should have been lower ref
12th man always a problem. Players arent used to this hostility.
we need to play balls over the top forget this passing shit.
Danny
Sarcasm. Yea…
Is it my imagination that every decision is going one way and none of them Arsenal’s
Is it that we have too many teenagers in the side or have we lost all confidence again!? Truly tedious stuff
Don’t put this shit on Dean.
Final ball so bad, Luiz taking matters into his own hands there. Good on him.
We are so shit.We are becoming worse by the minute,Arteta will be gone by october.
Joe Willock is gick. Literally never shows for the ball
Far too much space given on Sokratis’ side of the pitch
Is it my imagination that every decision is going one way and none of them Arsenal’s
Pierre
Tony Pulis
Former Portsmouth manager on BBC Radio 5 Live
Mike Dean has done brilliantly for Portsmouth there. I’ve got some sympathy for Arsenal.
Who is the genius who let PEA stay at home.
No booking? Dean c@nt!
They keep stepping on our foot. We have to step back.
Honestly it’s hard to tell which team is the premier league team, jerseys apart.
Beauty
that was another 45 minutes of shit football.
1 nil!
Fuck you Mike Cunt Dean
Willock is one of these guys that just never seems to have full control of things.
The Greek Cafu makes it 1-0 the Arse, Nelson with the assist.
Papa you lovely man.
Good pass from Reiss. Even better than Pepe.
Defenders taking matters into own hands, sick goal Sok.
Jenas on BT Sport is doing my head in!
Nice finish.
That should shut these fuckers up for a bit
Hahaah Pap Sok… I jinxed him earlier so was guaranteed to score.. 😀
Willock reminds me of Iwobi. No final ball.
Martinez should be immediately got rid of for that.
Bizarre celebration.
god damned that was some slow and tedious football.
That’ll do.
Not been comfortable and hopefully they can get through the second half with no more injuries.
Sokratis to play striker from now on!
Much cleaner finish than Laca!
Finished it like peak.. Flamini.
Who scored? I was busy battling to get the stream to work and missed the goal.
Papa Sok… made a near post run and fired it in like Giroud on a good day.
The underdogs are winning..
Ceballos seems to systematically ignore Saka run begin the fullback.
David Luiz playing on the right is really affecting his long passing. He keep ignoring Nkethia repeated runs behind the CB when on the other side he would made the passes.
Un,
I live just outside Portsmouth. They are certainly a different breed.
“Willock reminds me of Iwobi. No final ball.”
Nothing like Iwobi.. Willock is going to be quality for Arsenal
Fuck sake 3 ACL’s in what 18 months and now Torreira hurt.
Torreira might not be everyone’s favourite but he could have generated £35 million maybe more in the summer.
Jenas is incredibly irritating on commentary, begrudging of anything remotely decent we do.
Yeah LT injury was very hard to see.. Hope its not as bad as it looked. But looked like a knee twister.
“From James Olley – Torreira writhing around in pain on the floor. Medics rushing on. Portsmouth fans singing: “You’re going home in a f***ing ambulance.””
And then Portsmouth supporters wonder why they are mired for a lifetime in the dregs of English Football lower divisions?
Chris
He’s a Spud cunt what do you expect?
Anyone got a working stream?
Marc
An ounce of professionalism! (I know)
I wish Keown and Jenas could swap roles for the 2nd half!
Ernest
The Stoke chairman insisted Ramsey should apologise to Shawcross because Shawcross was getting abuse after breaking his leg.
Some of the people involved in football really are too stupid to be allowed to live.
Chris
By his own standard Jenas is having an outstanding night!
Anyone got a working stream?
Anyone got a working stream?
They said Torreira didn’t have to go to hospital…
Yes and look where Stoke are today, basically on their way to yet another lower division.
What was sokatris ranting at the three three young players ?
Was he having a go at them.
Bob
Who said that?
I decided earlier today that I’m not going to waste any more of my time on this shit. If the game is on TV and I have nothing else on I’ll watch it, but if I have the option to do something else I will do it. Too many times I’ve turned down things to watch this shit. It only makes me frustrated and angry. The other night my other half asked why I bother and the penny dropped. I’m not going out of my way any more for this sauceless shit. No more Le-Grove either with all of Pedro’s… Read more »
60fps.live
Hope Torreira is not too badly injured.
Hilarious yellow card for Guen, Mike dean really is a cunt.
Mari looking good with the ball at his feet.
Nelson looking lively, little bit more work on his final ball needed and he has to impose himself more on games against PL opposition like he does in the cups and there’s a player in there. Mostly his attitude/shyness that’s holding him back, the talent is there.
Boring game overall, way too many back passes, not enough movement and way too slow.
Ernest
I have to admit when Shawcross broke his leg by falling over earlier in the season I did laugh.
I bet Ramsey did too!
RSPC
If u watch the goal celebration guen is the only one who tries to get them excited. Looks like nelson and sok hardly speak to each other. Got the vibe theres a division btwn the youngsters and sok etc. very idd display
Marc
It was said in commentary. Torreira was assessed in the ambulance but remained on site.
Mari didn’t make any mistake. But I find Luiz was doing the work most of the time.
Yeah I think Arteta is doing a good job considering the circumstances but Pedro’s bullshit really makes it difficult at times.
If anyone thinks that in having six 18-20 year olds in the side that we would come out and dominate the game , then they have a very little understanding of the English game and how difficult it is to play at grounds such as Fratton Park. I would say that even without the goal, we are doing ok . There is good movement up top , the 4 kids will hopefully see the benefit of that sokratis goal as the game opens up as Portsmouth have to come out a bit more. Basically, it’s important not to concede early… Read more »
“The other night my other half asked why I bother and the penny dropped. I’m not going out of my way any more for this sauceless shit. No more Le-Grove either with all of Pedro’s spin.“
So back when we’re winning things and competing again? That’s the spirit…
Thanks Vladdy P!
Will people please stop calling Mike Dean a cunt.
It’s not fair on all the cunts out there to demean them like that.
CC
Thanks – sounds like it could have been a potential break that we got away with.
On the other hand it might just be crap medics!
Cheers zach
How about useless cunt? I’m all about a good adjective.
Vladdy P
Thanks mate for the link.
Marc
I was going to call him a twatwaffle but didn’t want the twatwaffle community coming after me, can’t say anything nowadays without offending someone.
No worries. Happy to help 😀
CC
Life’s too short to waste it on the likes of Ozil, Xhaka, Pedro and a handful of c*nts on here.
Marc
Lol could you imagine.
“but Pedro’s bullshit really makes it difficult at times.”
Yeah but he really can’t help it – he is in marketing after all!
Cunt is Dean’s middle name. It’s all on his calling cards …. which are all Arsenal yellow with a dash of red if required.
Quality
Get in!
Eddie!!!!!
CC
Don’t laugh yet for fucks sake.
You know my view on the Football God’s being a vengeful bunch!
What a stop lol
Nice goal Eddie.
Wish I could think of a Reservoir Dog’s connection to make.
Game over
Eddie..!. Sweet…. tight angle.. no idea how he snuck that in..
Another assist from Reiss!
Come on The Arsenal!!!
Eddie!
Just what the doctor ordered!!!
Nelson gives us that bit of acceleration up and down the right side, and more industry than Pepe. Good option to have if he can refine his work in the final third
Dean trying so hard to not to give us anything…
Agree CC , not sure if their left back is slow, but Nelson looking seriously fast.
Ref Dan is really biased, all the 50-50s go for Pompey.
We are playing like in the training ground.
Whatever Arteta said at halftime seems to have worked. Dominating things now.
I think the game needs to be re-billed as Mike Cunt Dean vs The Arsenal. I mean he us litterally playing for them.
Who knows this could be the game where Cunt scores a goal and adjudges it to Pompey.