DOUBLE GABRIEL FITNESS BOOST

by .

WELL HELLO.

Let’s rattle through the good news.

MARTINELLI IS BACK FOR NEXT MONDAY.

Finally, the bad luck momentum is turning. I really, really couldn’t have handled the young Brazilian being out long-term. Great news that he has a little bit of recovery time before he explodes over the next 5 games. Explodes in a good way, not like, you know, an exploding muscle or something.

We also landed good news on Gabriel 2. The suspended then covid infected centre back will finally make his return to the action. I’m unsure whether he takes his place straight back, he was a touch out of sorts before the break. Holdinho and Mari have been pretty decent together. A winning combo if you will.

Talking of Holdinho, our 25-year-old centre back of BRITISH background has signed a new long-term deal with the club. Fantastic news. We’ve finally broken the duck of letting players run down their deals. A few people scoffed at this move. I don’t really understand it. The player is growing every week, he rarely puts a foot wrong, and he can play music. What more do you want?

There are rumours doing the rounds that Edu reports into Arteta… and that Arteta has felt like a victim of Raul getting binned because all of the extra work fell on his shoulders.

Now, I’d love this rumour if it were true because it’d totally crystallize the utter mess that Arsenal is from a leadership perspective… but this one feels too far for me. Edu might be the submissive one in the relationship, but I doubt the Kroenke’s would keep Edu around if he was so bad at his job they needed to put him UNDER a rookie manager.

Also, you have to understand this about Arteta. He is fucking ruthless. There is no situation in the world where 1) he didn’t ask for the promotion 2) doesn’t absolutely love the powers and responsibility that came with it. It is almost unimaginable that he would leak in a way that made him seem like a beta male.

Hard to really see who this story serves best? Which is why I suspect it’s just bollocks… but I will tell you this now, I would LOVE it if it was true. I have a 3000 essay on operational structure and cuck leadership in my drafts if that little beauty is confirmed. It would be SO salacious. Imagine getting a double demotion and having to negotiate with Vinai that you’d only sit on the Arsenal.com deck chair of shame if you could say it was a single level demotion. OH MY WORD would that be a good story.

… alas, I think it’s bollocks (Arsenal insiders, hit me up on the bat phone if it’s true).

Finally, an agent in and around the Mesut Ozil deal leaked this to the press.

“If he comes to Turkey then he will play for Fenerbahce, god willing. Let me tell you he has told me, ‘in my football career I am going to play for Fenerbahce’. Until the contract has been signed we can’t say anything is finished”

“It is a case where Mesut would come not just as a footballer but as a lover. The process is underway though I can’t give a percentage. Even if we agreed verbally, it is not over without signing the contract. Let’s wait a bit.”

A LOVER! For fucks sake. Let’s do the deal then boys. The reports state that the deal hasn’t been done with Arsenal. We’ll likely be negotiating how much of his final salary we pay him… it’ll be a lot, I suspect. But… who cares, get him out of Arsenal so we can move on.

Ok my lovers, let’s call this a day, and I’ll be back tomorrow. x

 

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curse

Dick garlick from the baggies, Yves for 25?

is buendia still on? someone could make themselves a legend…

Dissenter

Richard Garlick is replacing Huss Fahmy
His job is to manage contracts
C’est fi ni

AFC Forever

Emirates.

Yes, you are right.

Richard Garlick is the Premier League’s director of football but he was at WBA a few years ago.

He will work alongside Edu (technical director), Mikel and Per our academy manager, to oversee football operations in the first team and academy, as well as player contract management. He will also be involved in relationships with football’s major governing bodies.

Qualified solicitor and sports law specialist, with contractual and legal expertise that we have sorely missed. Excellent appointment.

AFC Forever

Apparently, Richard Garlick has a sense of humour.

One summer he was in a meeting and he was complaining that the temperature was unbearably warm. Someone turned round to him and said,

“…If you’re that hot Richard just take off your cloves.”

Graham62

AFC Forever

I get where you’re coming from on this but a wee word of advice. Just because someone criticises things doesn’t make them arrogant.

I’ve been criticising the club, on and off, for approximately 12 years, hence I’m well versed in passing opinions on things that don’t add up.

I don’t need you, or anyone else for that matter, to educate me on the correct way to react to the various ongoings at our superbly(being sarcastic) run club.

If I have an opinion, I tend to stick to it.

Ernest Reed

I could be wrong Wilko, but you could very well be Charlie with your language and behaviour.

Just a hunch is all.

The BFB

I despair at what’s happening at Arsenal. In the bottom half of the table, 8 league defeats already, absentee owners, no grand vision, no leadership and a manager clearly out of his depth who likes hoarding (and buying) mediocre players.This continual drift into averageness has to be halted and important decisions made, but is there anyone at the club with the necessary authority and competence to make them? Even tonight’s game, which on paper we are capable of winning, makes me nervous. I just hope our promising youngsters can do the business once more.

Mark

Wilko ,
I dunno why but I’m just laughing when I read your posts. 😂😂

I’m not gonna bite. You just need to understand everyone is entitled to their opinions.
You just don’t need to be such a try hard, in respect of knowing everything.

SpanishDave

Zaha is an expert diver and he gets away with it year after year..
Probably a draw back to normal result

azed

“Mustafi is 28, an experienced German international and would fetch £10-£15m if extended a year (so 1.5 years in contract).”

Funny how we could not been able to sell him for two years but we will somehow be able to sell him when he signs an extension.

Mark

AFC “How do you know” a few times.That’s my beef. You and Danny have slagged Arteta off for something you have invented or ‘assumed’ that has no foundation of proof. I have not done that. I have defended Arteta against the nonsense, that is all. ” That’s my point you say Danny and I have invented stuff and it’s that nonsense you’ve defended Arteta against. It’s not invented, it’s how we interpret his actions. You interpret them differently. So why are our interpretations ‘ nonsense’ and yours not? Do you understand what I mean now. I didn’t say what you… Read more »

Chris

Palace are not in great form. They have only won once in 7, that being against basement boys Sheff Utd.

That said, they seem to have a hold over us in recent years, they are an irritant.

I do like their youngster Eze, one to watch out for.

All in all we should be winning tonight to continue to build our new found resilience, these are the games to be winning before our ‘more difficult’ league fixtures that are upcoming.

AFC Forever

SpanishDave

Zaha, Kane and Vardy are without exception the ‘best’ at conning the referees and VAR.

They all do the stiff-legged dive, forcing their leading leg away from the ball and into the defender or ‘keeper, initiating contact.

What makes it worse is the ‘pundits’ applauding the player for being ‘clever’ instead of calling them out for it.

VAR for me is a waste of time. I thought it would stop the cheating but it hasn’t. What is has done is made celebrating a goal no fun anymore.

Sid

Zaha is the type of player that makes the guy that does Rob Holding’s laundry skip his his meals

AFC Forever

Chris

Yes. Palace are an awkward team, lots of energy and a couple of match-winners like Zaha.

Need to get another win and hopefully continue our form into the next few games: Newcastle, (H) Southampton (a), Wolves (A), Leeds (H) then we go to Man City only 43 hours after Benfica in Portugal. Then Leicester, Spuds and Liverpool. I would throw the City game, no point risking injury after the Benfica game as no recovery time.

Pierre

I can see Palace targeting our right side with Zaha and Eze looking to expose Bellerin if he over commits going forward.

Whoever is our right centre mid needs to be aware of the danger and drop into that area of the pitch if Eze and Zaha are playing on the palace left.

Alternately, .we may be able to create overloads with Saka and Smith Rowe on the palace left as neither Zaha or Eze are particularly defensive minded. .

WengerEagle

No matchday post Pedro?

Pierre

AFC “VAR for me is a waste of time. I thought it would stop the cheating but it hasn’t. What is has done is made celebrating a goal no fun anymore.” Besides the cheating VAR is very inconsistent pn dangerous tackles. Luke Shaw should have seen red and Sharp of shef utd should have seen red last weekend . Both made over the top career threatening tackles that were only given yellow. Taking this into account , when you look at our 3 very soft red cards recently , I’m not sure any other club would have seen red on… Read more »

Luteo Guenreira

Let’s get another win tonight. Need to continue the positive momentum until we play United. Hate seeing their name at the top of the table. Don’t fancy them to carry it through but still in a rush to see them knocked off the perch. If we can throw another spanner into their season that would be great.

AFC Forever

Pierre

Totally agree with you.

The referring and VAR also, has been inconsistent and the favouritism is still evident. If Luke Shaw had been an Arsenal player he would Definitely have been sent off. Nketia went for something of nothing compared to Shaws tackle and as for the ESR red (overturned by VAR) you have to shake your head. Our players make two fouls and it’s two bookings. Other teams have players who make a number of fouls and not a card waved.

As for the diving, they are succeeding in turning it into a non-contact Sport.

Ernest Reed

“Taking this into account , when you look at our 3 very soft red cards recently , I’m not sure any other club would have seen red on those occasions.”

It was only a matter of time before the Conspiracy Theorist in you came out, Pierre. The gang over on Untold must miss you something fierce!

Pierre

Look at how quick the ref was to give smoth rowe a red the other night …..that says it all really.

If it wasn’t for the fact that it was 100% never a red , I believe the decision would have stood if it was 50/50 .

AFC Forever

Pieere

Ps: It’s Northerners mate. Northern teams can snarl and kick their way through games because all the refs seem to be from that neck of the woods. They hate Southerners – could be it?

Ernest Reed

“If it wasn’t for the fact that it was 100% never a red , I believe the decision would have stood if it was 50/50 .”

And VAR did its job then, did it not Pierre?

AFC Forever

Pierre, yep the Smith Rowe one was obviously not a red. To be so quick and with a young player was bizarre. It wasn’t even a yellow he was falling backwards….!!! Gave the yellow to save face.

Ernest Reed

Am i on LeGrove? Could swear I’m on Untold Arsenal???

AFC Forever

ER,

Yes VAR did its job.

But it couldn’t not do so – it was such a blatantly poor decision. As Pierre said if it hadn’t been so obviously incorrect, VAR would have not overturned it. To be fair, the players don’t help the way they scream and pretend there’s been contact. Cheating has git worse since VAR bizarrely.

Pierre

Ern
VAR had no choice but to over rule such a rank bad decision

My question is, why didn’t VAR do it’s job for the career threatening tackles of shaw and sharp at the weekend.

It found Pepe guilty for doing next to nothing and found Xhaka guilty when the opposition were deliberately provoking him, both were handbags , unlike the tackles at the weekend..

Nelson

We’re hearing that Pablo Mari and Thomas Partey are on the Arsenal bench tonight

Pierre

Ern
It’s called supporting your club …..you ( and a few others) should try it sometime…

Danny+S

I really look forward to the day I don’t have to look at Xhaka and Cebellos in that CM.

Always makes my heart sink a little bit.

AFC Forever

Pierre.

You are assuming Arsenal is their club. For some, it obviously isn’t.

Matchday brings them out in their droves; I feel for Pedro because even he gets exasperated by so many opposing fans trolling the blog and trying to antagonise Gooners.

Hopefully, Partey is on the bench. Wonder if Arteta will keep Mari in the side, he’s done well as much as I like Gabriel? ESR to start, with Xhaka and Saka in from the start.

Nelson

Full Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Xhaka, Ceballos; Saka, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette

Henry19

Team lineup says Arsenal lose today.

MGooner

@ Ern

Yep, this is Untold Mk II Bugger off if you dont like it 😉

Mb

For fuck sake, why Luiz now?

Nelson

Subs: Runarsson, Gabriel, Cedric, Chambers, Willock, Partey, Willian, Pepe, Nketiah

Danny+S

AFC Forever

Don’t you remember Pedro when Emery was in charge? HAha

Wasn’t exactly a beacon of optimism was he! Even 20 games into the 22 game unbeaten run.

Graham

Mb – Arteta and Edu get a cut of the appearance fees for Luiz and Willian … I thought that was well known

Leftside

I dont like this lineup although I get the need to rotate and use the squad

azed

Luiz???

Danny+S

It’s pretty much all we can put out.

Hopefully Gabriel and Partey get introduced fairly early on.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Where is kt ?

The Godfather

WTF is wrong with Mikel Arteta honestly?
What a bloody joke of a coach, win or lose?
Bloody hell!!!

Karsa

Has to be some rotation sometime.

Jim+furnell

Henry 19 – Lovin’ the positive vibes, amazing Crystal ball you have there.

Mb

Graham

That’s the only sane explanation left.

MGooner

Whatever the lineup, the Spanish gaffers should not talk to the lads about Ze Process.

Arsenal is a team meant to attack and enjoy its football, just let the guys play and we should be OK.

Br0wnie

Neither Tierney nor Mari on the bench. Tierney needs a rest for sure but Mari?

Karsa

KT needs a rest. Mari has played 8 games after a lengthy lay off. We can’t play the same team every game.

Chris

The line up is fine. We need to rotate. No need for hysterics.

G Star1

Kieran Tierney misses tonight’s match against Crystal Palace with ‘muscle tightness’ & is rested as a precaution, while Pablo Mari misses out with a tight calf. #afc

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Say that at the final whistle Chris…

Pierre

Karsa
“KT needs a rest. Mari has played 8 games after a lengthy lay off. We can’t play the same team every game.”

They must be injured….to leave Tierney out would be foolish in the extreme, he was looking as strong as an ox.

Useroz

Mustafu is a saleable asset and Balogun isn’t ? ?

At this point, Balogun probably fetches more!

Criminal ….

Karsa

Pierre.

Muscle tightness/soreness, a precaution according to the official site.

Mb

Thursday is not too early for a beer and an Arsenal game in evening.

At least, Willian is not there.

Pierre

Hearing Tierney has muscle tightness and Mari a cal problem .

Frost

No way we keeping a clean sheet with that defence 🤦🏽‍♂️

Graham

Both Mari and Tierney have muscle tightness and are rested as a precaution.

Mb

Official words

What’s the latest on Kieran Tierney and Pablo Mari? 🤔

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Tierney is rested for tonight’s game as a precaution, due to muscle tightness.

🇪🇸 Mari is also left out as a precaution, due to tightness in his calf.

#ARSCRY

Upstate Gooner

No KT? Luiz? I remember when Emery outsmarted himself and put out a weakened lineup against CP (partly because of rotation, and partly because he clearly prioritized Europa League). We ended up losing that game 3-2, and it cost us top 4 in the end. I hated his guts ever since. Arteta seem to be following in his footsteps. Keep it up, Mikel. Way to win over the fans.

Graham

It’s a shame Kronke wasn’t rested years ago due to wallet tightness though

Useroz

WHY played KT the full 120 min in a cup game?

Apparently Arteta does know AMN could play LB!!

Joker …

Frost

Sure. Rest players. Just don’t bring in luiz, ceballos & their ilk who have had like 4 good games between them this season

Watch them go on to have stormers in this one, having said that.

Useroz

With Esr and Saka, plus Laca, there’s always some hope and positive vibe.

Especially if Parley plays ok.

azed

Pablo Mari is also left out as a precaution, due to tightness in his calf

Val

What’s your opinion of Arteta’s training methods? Is he over training or under training?

MidwestGun

Sup Ladies? Big match to move up the table.. Good attacking lineup… shit defensive one.. So hope the boys put on their shooting boots today.

Habesha Gooner

Well anyone can see this happening with Tierney. We should have rested him against Newcastle. I can’t figure out which match is more important to Arteta. Anyway the rest of the selection is forced so it’s okay. Let’s win this. I am hoping Partey plays some role in the game. A 67th minute sub. I am hoping the Laca, ESR and Saka electric form goes on. Auba also netted at the weekend so there must be more confidence in him.

gunnerram

So the left side is going to be very weak – AMN will stay put and not cross the half way line…Auba is not going to get any service…

On the other hand we might have a lot of joy on the right hand side..

If ESR overloads the left hand side then there is a chance..

salparadisenyc

Hope you savages have been well, no idea what to expect from this. Whats mental is if we do take the 3x points were level with Chelsea all be it they’ve game in hand. What a season.

MidwestGun

Crazy season Sal… bit like a reflection of world events. … just when you think it can’t get any weirder.. yep it does.

Ernest Reed

“It’s called supporting your club …..you ( and a few others) should try it sometime…”

Its all that i have done since i was small child, Pierre. Just because you drank Wenger’s KoolAid doesn’t mean others have to. Make no mistake, I support AFC, not Wenger FC, Emery FC, or even Arteta FC. Your allegiance has always been to Wenger and you know it, so bugger off with your hypocrisy you curmudgeon you!

AFC Forever

Shame about Tierney because if Zaha had come down our left he had the pace to deal with him. To be fair to AMN he never lets us down. Good ESR & Saka starting. Gel for Mari done well.

salparadisenyc

Mid

Another day another impeachment another flame retardant suit required from the toxic. Pandemic raging. Desensitised springs to mind.

MidwestGun

Going for a 2-1 victory today… feeling good about it.. so that probably means it will be crazy. We need goof Luiz and not psycho Luiz.

MidwestGun

hahaha I mean good Luiz not goof Luiz.. Freudian slip.

MidwestGun

Yep Sal… less said about the American political situation the better … roll on Jan. 20.

AFC Forever

Support the team tonight and whoever is playing. Forgot the agendas for the next couple of hours. You can bitch as usual at the final whistle, First game in a run of winnable game, so need 3 points. Shame Tierney is out but we have plenty to win this.

3-1

salparadisenyc

Middy

The duet of ESR and Saka is up and in, looking forward to this one.
Luiz always makes the sphincter tighten.

AFC Forever

Luiz always makes the sphincter tighten.

Lol.

AFC Forever

You Americans make politics scary.

bacaryisgod

I understand the line-up. Wish AMN hadn’t been frozen out for so many games as he’ll be rusty as hell but we need his speed against Palace.

Mari, Elneny and Tierney clearly need to rest so can’t complain there. Let’s hope our front four can click again.

Thorough

That defence looks all over the place
Midfield should have been minus Xhaka plus Partey. I actually think Partey, Ceballos and ESR seems the best midifleld combo we can muster now.

That said there’s no Xhaka and we can win this from the bench if things don’t go well initially.

Mr Serge

3 nil to us tonight

MidwestGun

Oh fuck off Tim Howard…. hahaha Why NBC hired him … I have no idea. Just because he is better known to American audience doesn’t mean he is good at analysis.

Thorough

*There’s no Zaha

rollen

3 1 to the good guys.

rollen

3 1 to the good guys.

Habesha Gooner

That midfield and defense is quite scary even if you are optimistic. Mari has looked Class. Luiz is either top class or very shit. You don’t know which luiz will show up. And It is a huge downgrade from Tierney to AMN. Ceballos is also a little less reliable in defending than Elneny. On the other hand he is more offensive. So it could go either way for us. What gives me confidence is the front 4. Apart from Auba (who could turn up any minute now) they are in excellent form.

MidwestGun

Yep big match for Auba.. we need him to show up today. put in a shift.

Gazzap

As long as ESR and Saka are fit then I’m happy and confident. Seriously worried if we don’t find a backup to ESR in the window

Nelson

I predict Auba will be the receiver for some of Saka’s crosses.

curse

if granite and Dani can be bothered we’ll have a good chance of grabbing all three

Pierre

AFC
“Support the team tonight and whoever is playing. Forgot the agendas for the next couple of hours”

I’ll give it 90 seconds ( at the most ) and then the negatives will be off and running .

curse

we should force teams to wear their away kit. irritates me.

Nelson

Holding will have a task to stop Zaha.

AFC Forever

Come on boys!!!!!

curse

oh they are. this coverage isn’t on point

Mr Serge

Yeah keep the negatives today and enjoy the game

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