Matteo training alone is correct + Thoughts on the lawyer

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Matteo G has been training on his own. Sad to see so much talent, with so little control. There are folk painting this as ‘caring too much’, but it’s nonsense. He’s badly behaved, he’s unpleasant to the staff, and he refuses to get on board the new direction the club is heading.

He had issues with Freddie before him, so it’s not just a Mikel thing.

So what do you do? Do you truly believe that elite players behave like this? They don’t. If he won’t play by the rules, he has to go. We’re not far enough along in the process to absorb a player like that. This is not Nik Anelka here. The delivery on the pitch doesn’t merit the problems off it.

Barca had something similar when Pep landed. He booted out problematic players way more accomplished than Guen, all in the name of making sure Messi and the kids coming behind him could thrive. Arsene Wenger did it when he landed, moving on senior players he thought were a bad influence.

We’re not quite Barca, or the squad Arsene inherited, but we have a lot of youngsters giving more than Matteo, and preferential treatment would not be helpful. That is Emery-style thinking.

The only shame of the blow-up is it might reduce interest in him, or lower the asking price.

I think it might work out well for us though. He’s a pretty sexy make-weight. Might be perfect for Simeone. He’d look like a smart move and allow them to save face on the Partey deal. Let’s see where it goes, but don’t cry over someone that thinks they make the rules at 20.

In news that I didn’t speak on, Tim Lewis joined the Arsenal board. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that sort of hire from the Kroenke’s makes for ominous reading if you are Raul.

A few things stuck out for me:

  1. The KSE group don’t exactly have a lot of trusted confidantes in London. I’m pretty sure this guy worked with them on the stadium or takeover move. He’s trusted.
  2. Tim is a lawyer. They ask questions, they probe, they get to the bottom of things. What Arsenal need right now is someone assessing how we landed on deals and why we did them. Having someone with laser focus and the time to assess is going to be very valuable to the family. We don’t have a counter to Raul, a Clifford Chance partner; if activated with a mandate, is a force for good.
  3. He’s a ‘lifelong Arsenal fan.’ I don’t know the guy. I’ve never had a beer with him to assess how much a fan he is (‘DO YOU GO TO AWAY GAMES MATE’). But if he is like you or I and spends over 16 hours of screentime on Newsnow, reads all the blogs, pays for The Athletic, mainlines AFTV, and has a google alert set up to catch transfer stories from Eastern Europe and beyond, my hope is he gives a fuck about Arsenal and wants the club to do right by the fans.
  4. This move has happened as leading bloggers and journos write about the wacky goings-on at Arsenal… combined with very senior people at the club clearly leaking hard. I just do not believe that billionaires don’t pay attention to their most valuable assets. For me, being a total amateur, this looks like a statement addition to the hierachy.

My hope, at the absolute minimum, is this means Raul and Edu have a very long think about how they want to conduct this summer. Do they want to bring in players that have been recommended by Arsenal people? Or do they want to continue suckling the contacts teet of Kia and Canales?

We shall see. We’re rooting for you, Tim.

Arsenal has a huge game later today. Spurs beat Everton in a horrendous game. We need to make some space before Sunday. If we go to 52 points, and beat Spurs, we’ll be 4 points clear of them with 3 games to go. Lose tomorrow, and lose Sunday, we are in biiiiiig trouble.

Let’s see what we’ve got.

I’ll leave you with a solo podcast. It’s a good one. So listen. x

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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Jim Lahey

@RH –

“If that challenge was on an Arsenal players you will want a red.”

Yeah we would, but you know as well as the rest of us it wouldn’t be a red if it was on an Arsenal player.

Dissenter

Eddie was far too eager hence the red card offence
n fairness to him you want young players to show that hunger and aggression. We all haled him when his hustle let to goal keeping errors and goals.
Give the kid a break. He made mistake…hope he learns from it.

Gazzap

You can practice with a system a million times. But crap defenders will always let you down in the end. Arteta can only do so much. Most of our defence is seriously suspect.

Dissenter

Mike Dean would have called that “a coming together” had it been Nkettiah who was on the receiving end of the tackle.
I’ve seen Jamie Vardy get the benefit of doubt from such tackles week in …week out. They would have seen it as passion.

TR7

We have seen much worse tackles than the one Nketiah made not given red but amyway can’t quite accuse the refs of foul play there.

But no way should Vardy’s goal have stood, clearly a wrong decision which cost us 2 points. That even with all the technologies at their disposal refs in EPL make wrong decisions every week should be a matter of great concern. Managers and players should have stirred up a shitstorm about this but sadly nobody speaks up.

Dissenter

Trust Ishola to isolate Xhaka’s perceived role in the lead up to the goal we conceded.

The Godfather

Would it have killed Arteta to have
Started
Saka on the left
Pepe on the right
Auba down the middle

With Torreira pairing Ceballos in the middle.

We would strolled to this win.

This is all on our rookie manager.
A shocking day at the office

GunnerDNA

It was a red card! Eddie was getting away with late challenges from the Southampton game. To make matters worse he shouldn’t be on the field in the first place. That was a terrible second half better finishing from Vardy and they would’ve won the game.

Receding Hairline

Dissenter that wasn’t passion, he was nowhere near the ball. Just lunged at it hoping to force an error unfortunately he caught the guy with his studs on his standing leg. Really not much to debate there or build a conspiracy around

Redtruth

Why was Leicester’s first half equaliser ruled out.?..

Gazzap

Redruth. Foul on the edge of the box in the build up.

Samesong

I’m a sore loser and although we didn’t lose that draw felt like a loss. You just knew missing those chances would come back to haunt us. Not going to blame Laca but Martinelli would of put that away.

It’s a case of what if…..

Too many soft tackles and stupid fouls given away leading up to the goal.Some could say tiredness. The boys looked fit though. You will alway feel you have a chance against us, that’s why Leceister kept pushing on.

A second goal and sending off would of still got us 3 points IMO

Redtruth

TR7

You’re desperately trying to see something that isn’t there.

Champagne Charlie

“This is all on our rookie manager.
A shocking day at the office“

Between this and your Cazorla take the other day you’re really showing your keen eye for football.

Ishola70

Dissenter
“Trust Ishola to isolate Xhaka’s perceived role in the lead up to the goal we conceded.”

Well get your head out of your arse and watch the replay of the Leicester goal.

Several times you will need of course.

Xhaka was lazy in trying to stop that ball coming in. He was near enough to put his body on the line with that one but didn’t bother.

We know he can be poor defensively.

It’s no mystery this weakness in his game.

Pierre

Vardy knew exactly what he was doing .

Leftside

Vardy the little worms goal will always stand. It was a red. When we have spells of dominance we rarely punish the opposition and this is what will happen when you don’t.

Versus

So quick maths lads. The maximum points tally we could accumulate is 62pts?

So if Chelsea and leicester win just one more game each. Top 4 is mathematically impossible?
Will Chelsea and leicester not win another game until the end of the season?
Are we going for EL? Last time I checked we give no praise for anything EL. I mean since the poor manager Emery Won it 3 times and Got us to a final. None of that is success right?

I’m just asking questions.

Redtruth

Gazzap

No foul s coming together, goal should of stood.

Gazzap

Arteta is right. Vardy’s movement back towards mustafi was un-natural. He has to push his leg back in the opposite direction to his momentum. Kicks him in the face. VAR has to look at it.

Ishola70

RedtruthJuly
“Why was Leicester’s first half equaliser ruled out.?..”

Inemacho man shoving a player in the build up I think before he put the ball in the net.

Looked a fair decision.

Champagne Charlie

Samesong

Agree, but that in itself shows the improvement. We’re annoyed at not burying the chances against Leicester and having to settle for a draw end of day.

Headed the right way, but undeniably frustrating to let a team off the hook and get sucker punched for it.

Guns of SF

Bottom line we should have dusted these M Fuckers 3-0 in the first half

Thomas

Stop blaming the ref. It’s pathetic.

Jim Lahey

@Gazzap –

Didn’t see the interview, did Arteta mention the Vardy kick?

Pierre

TH
“Dissenter that wasn’t passion, he was nowhere near the ball. Just lunged at it hoping to force an error unfortunately he caught the guy with his studs on his standing leg. Really not much to debate there or build a conspiracy around”

Let’s say you are correct.

What did you think of the Vardy challenge on Mustafi.

Samesong

Vardy is not offside for his goal Mustafi keeps him on. Watch it again.

Thorough

I think Nketiah was dumb with that challenge.
I think Arteta was even dumber to have removed Ceballos for Torreira when he should have sacrificed Aubameyang instead.
However, I have seen enough, especially post-covid, to believe that this is the right time for the board to drop 200million on this coach if that’s what he needs. I don’t care if we don’t make Europe. Arteta should be supported in every way possible because only then can he be judged fairly. To next season!

Ishola70

Gazzap
“Arteta is right. Vardy’s movement back towards mustafi was un-natural. He has to push his leg back in the opposite direction to his momentum. Kicks him in the face. VAR has to look at it.”

This is true.

Vardy meant contact there.

His leg was up in the air far too long before it went into Mustafi’s face. As Arteta says unnatural.

Intentional from Vardy

Redtruth

Ishola

It looked more like Kolasinac blocking his run.

Gazzap

Jim yeah arteta was pretty angry about it

Jim Lahey

@Un –

Arteta is dead right, totally unnatural, Vardy meant it.

Why didn’t VAR replay it 20+ times and make a decision on it? 🤔

TR7

Red

Vardy’s goal should not have stood. Whether Perez touched the ball or not is immaterial. He went for the ball and was in an offside position.

Ishola70

Samesong
“Vardy is not offside for his goal Mustafi keeps him on. Watch it again.”

I think these boys have Arteta mania tonight in what they don’t want to see.

Vardy turned Mustafi over pure and simple.

And yes it’s disappointing that Mustafi let Vardy turn him over for the goal.

And as said before piss poor defending from Xhaka to just watch the ball being crossed in.

Pierre

I see that Ruth, Receding, Ishola and Thomas are here to pollute the blog…strange how they reappear when we don’t win……

Redtruth

Thorough

The board haven’t got £200m to drop and if they had they wouldn’t of hired a rookie coach.

Redtruth

TR7

Vardy was miles onside, take the glue out of your eyes.

Champagne Charlie

Curious to know the views on why Nketiahs was a red card for dangerous play, but Vardy’s studs across Mustafi’s face wasn’t even a consideration?

Arteta raising this point post-game.

Ishola70

Pierre

This blog will never become like Arsenal Untold.

Forget it.

There will be honest debate here.

Receding Hairline

What’s the fellow on about? You are claiming a no red when it clearly was one. Get over yourself Don. It was a great first half, we should have buried the chances we created but didn’t. Second half not so good and they were threatening before the red. The goal was badly defended, such a poor area to allow a dangerous cross from and who was keeping tabs on Vardy. Very enjoyable first half and the players were having fun. Games are coming too fast now really and this is just a building phase. Ceballos not so influential second half,… Read more »

Jim Lahey

“Curious to know the views on why Nketiahs was a red card for dangerous play, but Vardy’s studs across Mustafi’s face wasn’t even a consideration?”

One plays for Leicester the other plays for Arsenal.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

You’ve never played football have you mate..

Leftside

Artetas subs have been on point lately but I thought he got it wrong today.

Redtruth

Arsensl’s previous 12 home games against Leicester were wins.

Jim Lahey

If David Luiz had kicked out like Vardy did we all know he would have seen a straight red.

The Godfather

Okay Okay after listening to Arteta’s post game comments and demeanor I’m feeling better …

His thinking is on point but he’s gotta fix his lineups and game management.

Okay I’m gonna chill out and stop being so mad at the result.

ANWYAY good talking points to the league by Arteta

Ishola70

Champagne Charlie
“You’ve never played football have you mate..”

It’s you I wonder about that has ever set foot on a football pitch.

Like yourstats don’t you. Always a sign of a geek that was on the sidelines rather than playing.

Receding Hairline

Pierre we didn’t lose,I was here during the game, pick on someone else.

Maybe tell us how Ozil would have kept possession second half.

Thorough

Red truth.
Thought we have a billionaire owner and FFP is relaxed for this summer? If he’s okay with this mediocrity maybe he actually doesn’t deserve this club.

Receding Hairline

I don’t need to justify my support of Arsenal to anyone don least of all you so piss off and quit addressing me

salparadisenyc

Versus,

Whats you’re point?

Using the Europa league as some metric of success with Arsenal is weak sauce. We went out to Atletico via not getting an away goal in the semi two seasons ago, got throttled by Chelsea in the final last season. Outside of that you’d have to go back pretty far, my guess is the loss in 2000 final to Galatasaray.

Considering Arteta picked up this side on boxing day after a historically poor run hows any of this factor in?

Emiratesstroller

RT

Why do you bother to post on Le Grove?

You are not remotely an Arsenal supporter. I don’t recall a single post that you
have made in last 3-4 years which is remotely positive or supportive.

Leftside

You do have to be an absolute loser to come on here if you are clearly not an Arsenal fan i.e Thomas and then Red comes into it

Ishola70

Receding these people will never learn.

They always want to see what in reality is not there.

That’s why Wenger stayed on longer than he did.

Fans kidding themselves.

And plenty have kidded themselves about tonight.

It was a decent performance but a draw was not highly surprising given the nature of the game with both keepers called upon to make sharp saves in the match.

It’s not the end of the world.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

Like my stats? You mean like every elite football club does?

Quality put down you fucking spanner hahaha so that’s an obvious no to you ever playing.

Redtruth

Thorough

What billionaire owner do you know hires a coach with no experience….

The Godfather

“ Between this and your Cazorla take the other day you’re really showing your keen eye for football“ Charlie pipe down on the cheap bubbly and pay attention! If you think scoring six PKs against LaLiga nobodies and meaningless stats mean Santi can still play in the EPL then that’s on you. I’m done talking about it so you can keep talking to yourself about it. If you think we wouldn’t have won this game with Auba down the middle and Saka and Pepe in their fav positions then you can also keep arguing wit yerself. Don’t know what part… Read more »

Samesong

I’m not sticking for anyone but you guys are talking shit about RT isn’t a Arsenal fan.

What because he doesnt agree to your opinions. GTFO here.

Ishola70

I heard you compile the stats for your annual haggis hurling competition Charlie.

Leftside

Who df said Red wasn’t an Arsenal fan Same?

Leftside

Would be nice to see a Saka Auba and Pepe front three for Sp*rs.

Samesong

Up*

Ishola70

Samesong

They have gone absolutely apeshit tonight on here with their one eyed view of the match.

It’s Arteta mania I’m telling you. They thought Teets was going to win every match until he retires from management lol

Versus

PierreJuly 7, 2020 20:17:52
The Arteta effect is happening…
/
Ha! Surely a 20 game unbeaten run and EL final is on the horizon next season then?

I’m just asking questions.

Radio Raheem

It was a alright draw. A lot to be encouraged by in the first half. Although, we dropped in our energy levels in the second we held on for a point in spite of the ref.

We move forward. Night night.

Samesong

Sorry I meant Receding Leftside.

TR7

Ishola

‘It was a decent performance but a draw was not highly surprising given the nature of the game with both keepers called upon to make sharp saves in the match.’

You mean to say we should not call out refs for poor decisions and double standard because both the keepers were busy ? What kind of logic is this ? I mean top 4 was anyway out of our reach and perhaps today’s result is not very significant in the large scheme of things but why should not refs be called out for sub-standard corrupt referring ?

Emiratesstroller

Arsenal played very well in the first half and should have been at least 3 Goals up at half time. Lacazette gets in good positions, but his weakness is that he is perhaps too predictable in his finishing. Saka had an excellent game in first half and his assist was brilliant. I think that he has the potential to be a great player. Nkietah was unlucky. I think that the red card was harsh and of course from that point on we were under the cosh. Up to that point I think that we were reasonably comfortable despite the Leicester… Read more »

Pierre

Ishola
“Receding these people will never learn.They always want to see what in reality is not there.”

The reality was , Vardy should have seen red which meant we would have won at a stroll ..one nil up and Leicester down to ten men with 50 mins to play.

That’s the reality.

Ishola70

TR7

Leicester were competitive in the match.

The game was never comfortable for Arsenal and even less so going down to 10 men.

It’s not the end of the world a draw tonight.

Redtruth

Emiratesstroller

You should compare my posts to the majority on legrove during Emery’s tenure. You’ll find my posts overwhelmingly supportive of Arsenal.

Receding Hairline

Ishola it’s really all about being right for some. I’m still seeing traces of Arsenal of the past decade in this team, Arteta really has to think long and hard about giving some of these characters a fourth chance to prove they can indeed be consistent enough to get us where we should be. And Leicester actually had chances but for me they were lacking their full backs, their main attacking outlets so we didn’t have much defending to do and we attacked down the sides. Second half can’t figure out what happened we dropped back and they got control.… Read more »

GunnerDNA

Why was Pepe not the first attacking substitution coming off that bench? If it was MG who picked up that red car tonight he would be slaughtered. But let’s blame the referee 🤦🏽‍♂️

Ishola70

Yeah Vardy definitely got away with that snide challenge on Mustafi.

But the game overall Leicester were always in therewith a chance of nicking something.

Samesong

You are not remotely an Arsenal supporter.

And what qualifies you to say that?

Because your ego is massaged here by everyone?

People can defend you on here to the hilt but you show your true colours all the time like your some super fan or something.

Act like your so entitled. Pipe down and stop telling Arsenal fans that they are not fans of the club.

Guns of SF

straight red is 3 games?

Samesong

Don

Tell us what acting like a fan is? I’m interested to read.

NW9 gooner

Mustafi in Garth crooks team of the week along with Saka – what a transformation

TR7

Ishola

‘Leicester were competitive in the match.The game was never comfortable for Arsenal and even less so going down to 10 men.It’s not the end of the world a draw tonight.’

It is not so about the result of the game as it is about poor referring. Of course would have loved to get 3 points but it is almost as if the refs wanted Vardy to score another goal so that his lead for the golden boot becomes unassailable.

Versus

Spurs got Bournemouth on Thursday.
If they win…
Well I don’t need to tell you how embarrassing the table will look after the absolute disaster Jose is having, c

Versus

Spurs got Bournemouth on Thursday.
If they win…
Well I don’t need to tell you how embarrassing the table will look after the absolute disaster Jose is having.

Useroz

The slow mo still shows slight deflection of the ball of Perez. Watch it again. Doesn’t change the fact that Vardy had got one on Mustafi and was not offside the moment Gray crossed But when Perez touched the ball, if he touched, Vardy was off. That’s why many are pissed the VAR Ref didn’t slice and dice the Perez touch more thoroughly like they do usually. Was he the Aussie who did us or just Mike Dean there? Eddie was late no doubt. Definitely yellow. But would you be surprised it’s a not a red if Arsenal were on… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“I heard you compile the stats for your annual haggis hurling competition Charlie.“

As if anyone needed further indication Ishola was bullied in school. Fighting back hard in his 40’s with playground chat. State of it

Useroz

*sort of*

Ishola70

TR7

I can’t be bothered talking about poor officials.

It’s always been with us and is not going to go away with VAR as some hoped.

If the game is looked at overall Arsenal were never comfortable in the match.

Redtruth

In na naai

You are a hypocrite, almost from day one of Emery’s appointment you were critical of Arsenal and waiting for Arsenal to fail so you could stick the boot in.

Emiratesstroller

RT

Do me a favour your criticism is constant. You are not remotely an Arsenal
Supporter.

You need only to read your comments about Leicester’s disallowed goal in first half which was a clearcut foul with the push on defender or your assertion that Leicester’s goal was clearly on side. The VAR decision was not based on Vardy’s run but the potential contact with ball by the other Leicester player who was borderline offside.

Samesong

I’ll tell you what it’s not.
It’s not undermining anything positive and gloating when bad shit happens to your team. That’s what it’s not

Is that fact or opinion?

Ishola70

Charlie

It’s some of your own medicine.

A wee dram of that penicillin. Aye.

Redtruth

At every turn the majority on legrove were waiting for Arsenal to fall under Emery so i won’t be taking any lectures on being a supporter.

GunnerDNA

Pedro,

“GunnerDNA, haven’t see you since we last had a bad result? What a shocker”

Cheap shot, but expected. No need to get in your feelings because that won’t change my opinion. The manager makes two more terrible substitutions today and it cost the team two points. I did commend the team for thier first half performance because I’m an Arsenal fan who wants the team to do well. I’m not a cheerleader for any player or the manager.

Ishola70

No Don

The game was always in the balance.

This is the problem with you and some others.

You do not want to see reality.

Poor officiating is part of the game. It is not going to go away.

Arsenal were never comfortable in the match.

Sure Vardy could have been sent off but this can happen. It’s football shit officiating and all.

Redtruth

Emiratesstroller

You need to go to specsavers if you think Vardy was offside or the player made contact with the ball.

Samesong

You gave me an answer and I want to know is that an opinion or a fact?

Have you considered that people want the best for Arsenal. And the levels they are seeing are not good enough in their eyes? Not everyone sees the game the same. That’s my opinion by the way.

Emiratesstroller

Ishola70

Vardy clearly fouled Mustafi and the only saving grace which might have prevented him getting a red card was that he was off balance when he fell to
ground and his leg came into contact with Mustafi’s head. As Redknapp said
only Vardy will know whether the kick was intentional.

Samesong

Don

In my opinion Laca not hitting the target affected the outcome of the game.

Ishola70

Pedro

That’s a false statement right there.

Everyone should calm down.

Even with the disappointment of conceding the late equaliser there will still some positive aspects in the game for Arsena tonight.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola

I don’t make ignorant attempts at jokes, my IQ isn’t comparable to my toasters. You’re neither funny, nor accurate in the subject of your patter so it’s all a bit embarrassing