Well hello my darlings, are we ready for some Arsenal goodness? I think we are.
The BIG night is finally here. I can hear the famous tune. Eurooooooopa da dah da da daaahhhhh!
The main meal has arrived piping hot after the Champions League starters. Unai Emery back on the couch with his comfort blanket. Mikel Arteta is out to avenge the competition that gave him the covid. OGS and Brenda ready to rep the Premier League. Antonio Conte’s stunning syrup back in the spotlight.
Arsenal needs a win tonight. Italy is the away leg for us. We need to score. We need a clean sheet. We need to impose ourselves on this competition like a VAR ref imposes on an Arsenal decision. Ruthless, standout, and maybe even a little unfair.
It sounds like we’ll see a pretty strong team. This is an extremely important backdoor to the Champions League. We can’t afford to go light in the name of rotation. It’s a cup run until the end of the season in all competitions.
Our big fear? Mikel pumping Willian in the media.
“What he is doing, the way he is training, the way he is working and the way he is pushing to give everything at the team, is what I demand. Whether he is more or less successful in the game is another matter. It will come, with the quality he has.”
My word nothing would stink out the pregame discourse worse than Arteta rehabbing Willian over Martinelli or Pepe.
He’s gonna do it though, isn’t he?
Let’s live in a dream world for a minute. A world that was focused on the future.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see Gabriel through the middle? Leading the line? Terrifying Benfica with his dogged pressing? I’d like that.
Imagine this. Arteta gives with Gabriel but takes with Willian. Betting that perhaps, Gabi joy will drown out Willian misery? Imagine if Willian scores… the joy of a goal, coupled with knowing that’ll secure him a 10 game run in the league.
Oh man, I am really not looking forward to seeing him on the team sheet.
Things I am hoping for.
- Minutes for Balogun
- Odegaard continuing to feel his way into the squad
- Return of Pablo Mari or Cal Chambers
- A continuation of our exciting performances in the league.
Just gonna leave a short one today because typing is real tough right now… before you leave, check out my first appearance with the guys from the Touchy Gooners Podcast. I am a big fan of their work, you should subscribe, and make sure you watch the below.
COME ON YOU GOONERS!
Winthorpe
I literally never question line ups because we simply don’t have enough info to pass judgment, but unless Pepe’s not fit, keeping him out when he just started getting hot is just weird management.
On the replay yes Saka should tuck that in. He’s deferred to the senior player. Passed the Buck. I expected more from Saka. He needs to Believe his own abilities
Who covers Spursday Night football in the US?
You’d not know that its our only golden boot winner since 2012 that’s been slagged off cuz of one bad miss
Pepe and Lacazette on now please
ESR off or Saka off
And auba obviously
Cbssports Mob… you have to pay for it.. though.. think its like $6 a month.
Auba should be doing really well against this high line, is he not making runs to try beat the offside trap?
Bati
Lol
One bad miss
You don’t know what you’re watching
Get Aubameyang to AC again. Let’s start a campaign
The moment that Dani saw Xhaka’s disgusting pass, he started running like a lunatic to try and help our defenders. I believe he has practiced this many times during training – being aware defensively while Xhaka has the pool deep in our half… What a dimwit Xhaka is. Makes sense that Arteta is starting him.
can’t deny he looks a little ozily tonight but its not over yet
As keown pointed out the pass selection from the player in possession has been so poor tonight. Makes you realise exactly why we’re 10th and correctly not in the conversation for top 4.
has the BALL deep in our half***
Kris
Been saying this for a year. Arteta is fucking Pepe. Aubameyang and Willian do nothing on the ball and very little off it
He’s not fit to be mentioned with wrighty, Henry, anelka, smudger, RvP. Shit, give me Chris Wreh over him
Saka and Smith Rowe have a natural on field relationship that has been built up over the years.
They are now playing either side of the pitch, meaning they are never in contact with eachother, so that creative link is lost.
It was just mentioned by keown that Odegaard is being ignored , i agree.
Get the ball into Odegaard’s feet at every opportunity and he will create.
I’m saying this light heartedly but seriously what is wrong with these players? It’s every week we try (and more often than not, we succeed) and hand the opposition goals. I don’t think any team in the league has this many individual errors leading to goals/chances. But having said that, I’m not annoyed.. not particularly a bad performance but need to improve sharpen up and wake up second half. Martinelli and Pepe will be licking their lips at the Benfica high line. And bringing some pace on to run at the right back who ESR looks quicker than will open… Read more »
TomFebruary 18, 2021 20:56:28
Winthorpe
I literally never question line ups because we simply don’t have enough info to pass judgment, but unless Pepe’s not fit, keeping him out when he just started getting hot is just weird management.
Tom
Amen
The lad is winning games and scaring the opposition. Saka is pulling markers from him and he’s dangerous
Not even gonna get into that weird obsession really. All top strikers miss chances. Very weird obsession with who’s basically the teams best striker
Also, the team looks like it could have done with a bit of rotation especially the young players.
No reason Pepe who’s been on fire hasn’t gotten a game here
Xhaka doesn’t want to make a single good pass tonight
Ceballos hangs on to the ball for too long.
I understand the auba frustrations cause his all around game isn’t as good as his finishing, so when he misses a finish people get up in arms wondering what exactly he’s good for if he’s unable to finish on the day.
It was a poor miss, but not one to be so irate about until the game is actually over.
So hope we don’t buy Ceballos.
This game is here for the taking let’s do it
Smith Rowe has to leave the ball for Auba.
Well off
Again the pass is too slow!!!!
Yep.. it’s been bad Xhaka tonight… late tackles wayward passes. Hasn’t cost us yet though.
Oh man.. offside.. missed it anyhow.
ESR needs to come off for Pepe.
Bring Martinelli on for Auba and play him CF.
Great attack. Saka needs to learn how to shoot with his left foot.
Close but actually an awful finish by Saka.
Saka so close!
Penalty to them……
Ugh… I hope it isn’t one of those nights with the invisible lid over their goal.
Laughable decision.
3 clear goal chances missed with Auba, Ode and now esr.
Now a pen for Benfica, fuck off !
Ffs
Knew this was coming.
We’re going to lose this.
Arsenal being Arsenal!
Fuck sake.
Hand was out there esr
tistutaFebruary 18, 2021 21:05:10
Not even gonna get into that weird obsession really. All top strikers miss chances. Very weird obsession with who’s basically the teams best striker
Yeah?
Did you see Aubameyang’s face just then? “Pass to me saka, why are you shooing”
Awful attitude
And now they have a penalty
That’s the chest
That can’t be surely
Don’t trust the Turks
Fuck off
What????????? Thats not a pen!!!!
Big mistake to play ESR in the 2nd half.
This is bollocks
Get auba off now
Please
Just Hope Arteta’s answer to this is not Willian.
This fucking about at the back drives me fucking insane. Now because of us we’re a goal down. Fucking ridiculous. WTch him put Willian on
Jesus Christ man.
Just can’t let it be easy for ourselves.
Fuck it….
It doesn’t hit his arm
It’s his chest
Let’s respond
So need an away goal now.
Clearly was a handball. Emile didn’t even protest. Why’s he raised his arm there. Why’s he conceded possession so cheaply before that? Why’s he even on the pitch tonight instead of being rested/rotated
Wake up call. Lets go!
Totally not deserved … pfffff
Esr gave up there and din even look disappointed the bloody pansy
Willian to save the day for Mikel. Swear to god
DB10
100%
These mugs have just accepted it
They want it
Come on !
The big fuck was Cedric and Smith Rowe dawdling in clearing that ball that led to the corner.
Get in!
He raised his arm to a unnatural position, as clean as they come!
God bless.
1-1 Saka!!!
Saka
1
Laca and Pepe on for Auba and Esr.
Get in
Good counter.
Zfree
Nope
Chest first
Not a penalty
Yeaaaaah
Skaaaaaaaaaaa
should be the move
Good Xhaka… tackle.. maybe he wake up now.
Yes!!! get in Saka.
No desire Arteta ball is boring
Fuck you cheating ref
WTF us VAR checking g
Phew
Saka absolute legend.
Thought we would get screwed by VAR then like I said let’s respond
This’ll get chalked off
Goal from the Wonderboy, VAR can’t even cockblock it.
Saka is the main man
We need some subs to up the tempo.
No Willian.
Yessssssssssssss!!!
Saka!!!!!!
Var … drives me up the freakin wall.
Surprised the of side flag didn’t go up
How much time did they need to see that Saka is 2 meters behind the ball???????? Bunch of lowlifes.
Where is the transparency with these VAR checks?
Vital we responded quickly in that manner. Let’s use it and add to our tally.
Same here Midwest fuck var
Get in Saka
Tierney getting ready, alright!
Thought there was no var?
At least now we have a real game going. Fucks sake this team is a bunch of masochists
Phew!!
Come on The Arsenal!!!!!!!
We need Pepe on, the stage is set for him.
Mr Serge.. you cant even celebrate a goal anymore.. have to wait 3 mins.
Cüneyt Çakır is the cunt that singlehandedly kicked Manure out of the UCL when they played Vs Real Madrid in 2013. I know why he is still given games, guy is as corrupt as it gets. Just what they want.
VAR is open to corruption
Ffs xhaka has 4 or 5 bad passes already
Saka!!!
That was very close to offside
Smart save leno
Nice bloke bellerin. But his time has been and gone.