The Champions League is over, the big show is tonight, Arsenal vs the MIGHTY Slavia Prague.
What did we learn from last night?
That teenagers can do it at the highest level.
Jude Bellingham, 17 years old, dropping a big performance against a top 3 side in the world.
Phil Foden, haircut of a god, not quite a teenager, but young enough to be worth mentioning because he decided the game.
Mikel Arteta falls back on his safety blanked of senior players like they’re the Milan side from the 90s. I’m sorry, I can’t have it. There’s no Inzaghi, Seedorf, or Pirlo to fall back on in this group. We have seen that movie enough times.
‘One last job for the boys’ usually ends up with the robbery vehicle stalled with everyone going to jail.
Tonight is about the kids showing the world how good they are.
We need their energy. Their hunger. The decisive nature of their football offering.
Auba wasn’t at training yesterday. Maybe he really does have flu? Who cares. What I care about is knowing whoever is on that plane is ready to deliver in a game that is absolutely vital to our season.
ESR is fit. Martinelli is fit. Saka is fit. Those three, playing at their peak, is enough to take the tie.
Lacazette will likely start again, I like the role he takes on, creating openings for the pace technicians.
Thomas Partey should be the pivot in supporting two banks of 3, or even a 6 man forward line.
I’m a little concerned about Xhaka at left-back again, only because the Slavia forwards have more confidence and they seemed quite fast on the break.
This Arsenal team has enough to win tomorrow. We just need to show up with the same urgency and aggression we saw at the weekend.
Unai Emery in the next round will no doubt be tougher, but at least the game will have some zest about it. Last time we played Villareal in the semi-finals, we made the Champions League final. It’d be pretty sexy to do it again.
This is a big moment for Arteta.
The worry is that he is often more concerned about proving his ‘manager’ decisions in the summer were the correct ones. We need the Arteta that knew his job was on the line at Christmas.
Pick the best team. It’s that simple. Don’t select on reputation, salary, or the memory you had of said player from 6 years ago. It’s time to move this project on, accept what hasn’t worked, and go for the starting 11 most likely to execute the game plan.
Liverpool was a disaster. Slavia at home, regardless of the chances, was a disaster. Time to make amends, and as a 7 famous sounds artists once said…
‘Reach for the stars’
‘And when that rainbow’s shining over you’
‘That’s when your dreams will all come true’
Big night. Let’s see what the players have! Make our dreams come true.
ONWARD, EUROPA!
Wenger Eagle
I mixed up Slavia with Dinamo.
I will stay sober henceforth.
Yep… Le Grove Derby on track..
Cc yes he is let’s see what happens end of the season if we get a good RB LB an CM and and a striker we will be very good
Just a bit worrying we’re starting to back off now
Far to early to be doing this
I’ll still get rid of Arteta if he fails to make the final and finishes lower than 7th in the league.
Fantastic performance today though.
Xhaka is defending in the 6 yard box leaving pepe to fill in at LB, weird
Radio
No
Not if we win it
Also, nobody gave emery shit for not winning it for us, it was throwing away 3rd place with 6 games to go vs inferior opposition that brought the criticism
Great job 1H.
Another 2 or 4 in the 2H would round off the party 🥳🎉
Whenever Pepe’s played on the left, he has been good, very good or excellent.
ESR makes us tick.
Saka Brilliant again.
Gabi should get at least 35 mins, knowing Esr and Saka are just back from small knocks.
We also need a breather at HT!!!
Chambers and holding dishing it out tonight good to see a bit of fire
Auba has been carrying the malaria virus since his international games apparently.
Hope he recovers soon.
Can understand why he had been so so bad in the last couple of weeks.
Radio
We won the Fairs Cup in 1970 so we have 2 wins in Europe
I say score 1 more… then empty the bench .. bring on the youth.
Team is so much better without Auba.
Also, proves we do not need Odegaard. Money would be better spent on a CM, RB and GK.
Pepe is great and he’d try run to the byline more in the 2H
This result and manner of it is also of course is a very big breathing space for Arteta.
Even if he wasn’t going to be sacked if he went out tonight it would have done very serious damage to him.
Go out to Slavia and it would have been seen as a bit disastrous.
If he fails now against Bummery’s Villarreal it will be disappointing but not on the disaster levels of exiting to Slavia Prague.
Apart from Pedro this applies.
Shame we didn’t play like this last week. It’s a problem being drawn at home for the first leg, will we be at home again in the semis?
Ishola
There’s a bit of difference between a bit of banter and calling someone a dirty_ don’t you reckon?
If I called you a dirty Nigerian I doubt you’d take too kindly to it. You’re the one being fake/disingenuous if anything.
Pepe now has 9 goals and 4 assists in 19 starts this season.
Nod bad for a flop.
If Allegri is available then anything apart from winning the EL should see Arteta sacked
Who needs Auba afterall.
Raptora
“This is a pub team don’t forget.”
Ignorant Bollocks and a sad attempt to discredit. You’re clearly disappointed mate. Leicester failed to score there when Slavia knocked them out, these are no mugs. Unlike you.
arteta haters say whaaaaaaat?
like I said don’t write areta off if he wins the europa this is an amazing season.
Emery-Tets showdown it is eh.
Pretty poetic.
Wenger eagle
Ishola is not Nigerian
He is just borrowing that moniker for whatever reason. I have to start charging him daily for misappropriating another culture.
Wiglaf
Nah mate.
I think Emery’s detractors feared he’d win the Europa after we got to the final and quite naturally started belittling his potential achievement even before a ball was kicked. But I take your point our form in the late stages of the season might have fed their angst.
In retrospect that was a better season than this. I think we can all agree on that.
If Arteta wins the Europa I don’t care what position we finish in the league he’ll deserve another season managing Arsenal.
Nelson
“Who needs Auba afterall.”
That’s a fair comment. He’s been really poor this season & at times we’ve carried him. We are more fluent with Pepe on the left.
You have to pray and hope that Arteta can see what most of the fan base is seeing.
He needs to learn how to count a loss and move on.
Willian needs to become a permanent bench player.
Boys have looked great tonight.
Saka, ESR, Pepe, Chambers all outstanding.
Credit to Mikel for actually not overthinking it and putting out our best forward line.
29th April. Remember the date.
The Le-grove derby is here.
Right… So how many of us are watching this with a big smile & a glass of wine
Pepe’s goal wasn’t as simple as it looked. Kudos to Nico, he’s been doing very well this season (when given the chance).
ESR class above the rest.
If I called you a dirty Nigerian I doubt you’d take too kindly to it. You’re the one being fake/disingenuous if anything.
Eagle
Who called anyone a dirty Turk? Find that comment
Charlie
Are you beginning to change your perspective of Pepe.
He can be a game changer is he’s placed in the right system.
banging first half
pepe’s not too shabby
FrostApril 15, 2021 20:55:53
Right… So how many of us are watching this with a big smile & a glass of wine
Frost
Guinness and whiskey
I’m already getting hyped for the next round.. Pedro… will be on fire.. haha
Ah. The feeling of total control is so good. We should try it more often. Saka is going to score 15+ goals next season barring injuries. He is much of a goal threat than people give him credit for. Every time I have seen pepe on the left he has been very good for us. May be he needs a run there. ESR is just fantastic. If he adds goals to his game he will be come a top class CAM. Has the vision and ability to play. Partey and Ceballos are tidy. Xhaka and chambers have been good too.… Read more »
Weagle
“There’s a bit of difference between a bit of banter and calling someone a dirty_ don’t you reckon?”
If he don’t like Turks, he don’t like Turks.
Nothing yourself or me can do about it.
We could try to understand and try to realise how his dislike for Turks originated frombut I wouldn’t be interested in finding out tbh.
He might be Armenian.
Who knows in these situations.
Pepe getting more ball with Tierney not playing which has worked out well
One-eye on Unai
“So is Arteta the messiah after all?”
Said it earlier CC whenever we show form and think corner turned we crush a brick wall.
Hoping for the umteeth time we have.
The only change I want to see this evening is Martinelli on for whoever…. Lacazette maybe, finish.
Everyone else stays benched.. Including WILLIAN Arteta. Let this eleven feel themselves out for 90 minutes.
ESR and Saka make squad building easier
We don’t need to splurge big money on some positions already
We didn’t need Willian in the summer because Pepe was ready to go this season.
Radio
I was and am one of his detractors
Trust me
I wanted him to beat Chelsea in that final
I was devastated that night
YoudamanApril 15, 2021 20:57:47
Pepe getting more ball with Tierney not playing which has worked out well
Sound like an xhamster comment
Wiglaf
Bastard Turks then my bad.
Splitting hairs really.
Never in doubt lol. We had to play vs Emery!
“Said it earlier CC whenever we show form and think corner turned we crush a brick wall.”
Mainly because Arteta gets all jittery & starts looking for ways to play his Favorites over players who are actually better.
Let’s hope he sticks to this eleven moving forward.
Mid
To reassure you, what i said is football banter. Extreme, yes I admit. If I offended you, I apologise.
It’s not as if I hate every single Turk. Like everywhere there are good and bad people. I respect the majority of Turks, having known some.
But look it up. The events I mentioned are true.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_UEFA_Cup_Final_riots
I would rest Saka and ESR after 60 mins. Also give Balo some minutes around the 80 mins.
Captain TierneyApril 15, 2021 20:53:10
Pepe now has 9 goals and 4 assists in 19 starts this season.
Nod bad for a flop.
Yes CT
Spot on
The lad delivers
I love him. Always has end product even if he’s not getting the mins that are afforded to others he still offers end the sort of product we would pray for from everyone else
Good Ebening… versus Non- negotiables.. it’s on… has to be.
Buying Willian was a Complete waste of time and money. And cost Pepe and martinelli game time.
Legendary… wasn;t me… not much offends me to be honest. haha
Cmom boys… let’s finish 💪 em
Ishola
I mean, that’s a pretty unlikely scenario now isn’t it?
Was mentioned by a few people as well.
Point stands, doubt you would take too kindly to me calling you that even in the highly unlikely even that I had a perfectly reasonable beef with your homeland.
It takes time to build a team. The morons who want Arteta out just don’t get it, they think chopping and changing managers, like Spurs have done for 60 years, wins Titles. It really doesn’t. Sure, clubs that have the massive finances can do it but not clubs with a lesser advantage. There has to be a reality check, you either understand the game or you don’t.
Game management now, we must avoid sitting deep.
Willian has been found out in the last 2 games by Martinelli and now pepe. FFS we have players. We need to play players that can deliver. Not Old bums who can’t have an impact.
So far so good, Arteta has finally wisened up to playing combos that work
However Ceballos is the weak link that doesnt really combine with his teammates and I fully expect him to cause a few hairy moments in this game.
Miguel Azeez shoud be playing in this kind of game.
WengerEagleApril 15, 2021 21:00:18
WiglafBastard Turks then my bad.Splitting hairs really.
Weagle
Find that comment.
I said “fucking Turkish refs”
That’s it.
Anything else wasn’t me. Please, go find my comments.
I won’t stand for false quotes being attributed to me
“Let’s hope he sticks to this eleven moving forward”
With Tierney coming in for ceballos of course.
Football is weird, Auba’s gone from our most important player to a super sub.
Watch generational try to shoehorn him in when he’s fit again tho
Midwest
“Good Ebening… versus Non- negotiables”
Made me laugh that!
Bet auba is raging
We’ll just shut up shop. Bring in Cedric as LB. Martinelli for Saka as LW. ESR rested. Pepe RW. Balo for Laca.
Yes Mid sorry!!
My reply was for you WengerEagle.
Yep.. I would like to see Azeez, Balo, Marti for a spell assuming we maintain.
weagle
I’ll accept your apology
You’ve got the wrong guy
To avoid you searching WengerEagle
Here it is again
////
To reassure you, what i said is football banter. Extreme, yes I admit. If I offended you, I apologise.
It’s not as if I hate every single Turk. Like everywhere there are good and bad people. I respect the majority of Turks, having known some.
But look it up. The events I mentioned are true.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_UEFA_Cup_Final_riots
WE,
don’t feed the trolls mate. I, and a lot of the people in here, know you are a real one. Don saying “fucking cheating” Turks has offended almost every ethnicity/race out there. Let him choke on his hatred.
40 min left
Done so very well blocking thejr shots so far
Wiglaf
I don’t know why you’re getting hung up on the semantics, my original comment was that his nationality was mentioned by another person which was yourself.
You said ‘fucking Turks’, ‘cheating Turks’, etc half a dozen times.
Just didn’t get the need to mention where he is from.
Cmon…. enjoy the rest of the game
TheLegendaryDB10,
Post it as many times as you want. English fans have done horrible things too when going abroad but that’s not important is it? Excusing ethnic slurs is not the way. And I’m done on the subject.
Pepe hurt
Lot of Turks or at least of Turkish origin support Arsenal and did in the past.
Greeks as well.
Turk from AFTV is one of my fav pundits.
Enjoyed all my holidays in Turkey.
Love the Turks me.
OptaJoe
@OptaJoe
4 – Arsenal have scored at least three goals in four consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since December 1932 (a run of five).
Partey having a good game
TLDB
I get banter, I’ve had my nationality mentioned on here plenty it just didn’t look like banter.
I’ve seen you post plenty on here so I take you at your word if there wasn’t malice intended.
Let’s spice it up with another goal
Raptora
I am being sincere.
Mt apologies to you to.
Ajax have scored twice in the second half already.
SLP crawls back somewhat… let’s nip it
Chamber is slow with the ball.
WengerEagle
None was intended.
I got carried away.
My apologies all round.
Ajax will be a handful for United if they can squeak through.
Plenty of CL quality players in their team.
We are so bad at controlling a lead.
Just hope this doesn’t mean another chance for the “controller” Willian
Weagle
I said “ducking Turkish refs” once
That’s why I’m hung up
You’re trying to hang me on a comment that was not mine
So point your turret elsewhere
When Turkish refs take charge of games involving Northern European teams it usually follows a similar pattern.
I didn’t say dirty filthy or filthy anything
So take your shit to whoever did
Take shot quicker Laca… not a foul
Looks like Ajax vs utd
Thats a clear pen
Esr tiring??
Eagle
I’d rather play them than United in the final, should we get there.
Stonewall pen
Bergkamp
Finally we break a good record
Looked a penalty on Laca to me. He stopped the ball then has his standing foot taken down. What’s not a penalty about that ??
We need to get some players on the freshen things up.
We are defending very well today… haven’t been too worried even on their counter attacks. Hopefully I don’t jinx it. now.