It’s a TWO post kind of day.
Arsenal managed to convince the Premier League to have the Spurs game postponed.
This is a monstrous piece of work from Arsenal leadership, truly, a very powerful move.
One of the elements that I think confuses everyone is that we’re all looking at the one or two COVID cases and wondering how you can have a game canceled based on such low numbers.
Well, the Arsenal case wouldn’t go down like that.
I thought we looked naive calling out injuries and AFCON in the presser, but that was absolutely part of the mixer.
The Premier League has to look at actual cases. They have to consider players coming back from COVID being unfit (remember Gabriel last season?). Then they will look at the amount of games played by players that haven’t had much time off. Arsenal will then no doubt be flagging the names we have on the verge of injury.
Arsenal had one midfielder by the end of the Liverpool game. We’re on our 4th choice right back. Granit Xhaka is out for 3 games. Our squad is threadbare right now, you can’t deny it.
Then look at the players who have taken the load. Tomiyasu has a niggly injury, that could turn into a serious one if he’d played tomorrow. ESR is also carrying a knock, that could turn into a 3-month problem. Lose those two players, there’s no Liverpool and Burnley games. That impacts the Premier League because the calendar has to shift again.
In times like these, you have to look at people like Richard Garlick and wonder how big his role was in this. He was part of the team that pulled together the Premier League protocols for returning the training after a COVID outbreak. That’s a lawyer type on the frontline of the rules, if anyone was going to get this game canceled, it was him.
So onto the selfish bits: This is huge for Arsenal.
It means we can have a rattle at Liverpool this Thursday. We’ll have most of our players back in contention for the Burnley game at home next Sunday. Then we have 17 days off to prepare for our Phase 6 assault on the league.
By then, we should have signed a couple of players, everyone will have rested, there will be no Europe, and we’ll have a fully fit side to play Spurs in a game that could decide the Top 4 race. Is it annoying that Son will be back? Yes. But I really don’t think going away to Spurs with no midfield was a recipe for a high probability win.
So all in all, this is a good day for Arsenal. Given the context of our season, it’s a fair one. We dropped 9 points at the start of the season because no one understood how badly COVID rocks preparation. We had 9 players out for Brentford. I think moving one game is acceptable considering the massive advantages afforded to everyone else.
It’s also very amusing that the full force of the media + the Sky Sports Punditry mafia couldn’t shape a decision you knew they had an interest in shaping. You can pretend the media isn’t a bias affair, but everyone has eyes, and we can all see how different clubs get different treatment. Look at how Klopp evaded any real criticism for the fale/positives. Look at the way Sky talks to Rangnick because they smell blood. Look at how uninterested G Nev in COVID postponements when it works for his team.
Anyway, a superb result for Arsenal. Well done to everyone involved.
… we might even do a podcast a bit later to talk about it.
I said it many times Sancho is a tubby overrated overhyped player. Was on easy street at Dortmund. Puts on an England shirt and is shit and comes back to the PL and even shitter.
Tom, bigger point, you’re on an Arsenal blog and you’ll aggressively defend the honour of Klopp and Brenda, but will totally gloss over anything good that’s going on at Arsenal.
Very odd.
Tom, except Klopp did say that. Manager Jürgen Klopp whether he considered finishing in the Top Four equivalent to winning a trophy. His response: “yeah, basically.” “Yes, I would say. It is the most difficult league to qualify for the Champions League because in no other league you have that wide quality, teams around that are unbelievable so, yes, I could subscribe to that. Always in a season, maybe a very spectacular season, three or four clubs can challenge until the end. Usually close to the end there is only one or two teams left in this battle so the… Read more »
That last quote was 2017.
This was Klopp on 4th last season.
“Massive, absolutely massive. It will be one of the biggest achievements, ever. I know how that sounds but it’s the truth. Everybody here sees it like that. If you are going to write a book about a season and you want to be depressed afterwards, you would probably take this season.”
If Spurs had 4x players at AFCON, just loaned out 2x first teamer’s with host of injuries and a solo covid case looking to move fixture this space would go nuclear, so fair enough.
Sal, Conte had a preseason in Dec so fuck him
Pedro, let’s leave Pool out of it then and concentrate on Arsenal.
You’re telling me that two years down the road if/when Arteta fails to win the pL title in his fifth season you will not mention the fact he might’ve been outspent by a bunch of other clubs in the process?
Because if that’s what you’re saying then I’m having hard time believing it.
Almunia Recruitment is my biggest concern, Athletic reporting that Edu backed up by scouts/data wanted Emerson who went to Spurs Arteta was adamant he want Tomiyasu, Arteta also dug his heels in for both White + Ramsdale All clubs make mistakes, but we need to identify players aged 22-25 who have a good amount of experience, and are on the cusp of crossing over into top class + consistent performers Douglas Luiz + Youri Tielemans both tick plenty of boxes, and with just 12 months on their deals, wouldn’t cost the earth We also need to look into the character… Read more »
Arthur started for Juve, made a goal and was then injured and removed after thirty minutes . That might be a nail in that coffin
Pedro “Sal, Conte had a preseason in Dec so fuck him” Well that clearly goes without saying. For me i’d like to of seen club roll dice and go with fixture. Arsenal just dripping in the us vs them mentality, extended from Liverpool on Thursday. Thats the type of thing that has potential big carry over in all kinds of positive ways. Obviously not the safe approach and Arsenal playing the dark art game is a nice refresher to former times. AND in the end who knows state of our actual XI after that outing at Anfield. But taking Spurs… Read more »
Pedro, Klopp quote from last season was in context.
I know you wouldn’t see as such because you’ve spent all of last season denying they had an injury clusterfuck of a season.
Sal The issue is not just about Covid. The rules state that any team that plays this season can request a posteponment if that club doesn’t have 13 outfield players and a goal keeper of enough senior experience. Covid, injuries and unavailability are seen equally to ensure player safety. https://www.premierleague.com/news/2426753#:~:text=Where%20a%20club%20cannot%20field,the%20match%20will%20be%20postponed. Man United, Wolves, Liverpool and a lot of teams have used this 13 player + 1 goalkeeper criteria to get their matches postponed. The premier league opened the door to this. If they had said you have to have 13 players regardless of injuries and unavailability then you should play,… Read more »
“Tom: You could post the exact same comments you post here on any number of blogs focused on Leicester or Liverpool and no one would ever guess you’re an Arsenal fan.“
It isn’t high on my list how other posters perceive my musings on here Matt B.
Habesha
Hope you’ve been well mate.
I get the the parameters around reschedule, not really point. Which is fuck them as Pedro said but fucking them sooner is my preferred course of action. Depleted at that.
Sal
We won’t with a thin squad running on fumes. But we will smash them with enough of our players returned from injury.
Love sausage, That’s exactly how I see Liverpool at this stage. Before Klopp they were just hanging around, Suarez and Brenda got them challenging more, then Klopp, a generational manager, was the turbo boost. Now, in their model at this stage it’s difficult to prolong it past a few great years without spending silly money like Chelsea and City. I actually expect Liverpool to be the the one to fall out of the top 3 for that reason, making room for Arsenal to challenge for more than just top 4. (But it could be Chelsea with their manager merry go… Read more »
Thank fuck Arthur Melo is injured and not coming. Only Melo I ever wanted was Filipe Melo. LMAO!!!
On a serious note if we’re not bringing in Guimaraes and Vlahovic then don’t think we’re signing anyone this window. Partey and co will be back before you know it.
where’s yossi benayoun when ya need him. what a great loan signing he was
Melo highlights make Xhaka look like R9
Thanks God he wont come here. Not sure what exactly the hype is about someone who just passes to the nearest man
i read here melo got injured today, but what’s the criticism of him? I only know what i’ve read, but ya know, anyone could have criticized santi as being too small before he came
guns whats the deal?
Rich, Yeah,character is one of the top considerations for me also. That’s why I always wanted Rice,always struck me as having a great attitude. That said,historically a lot of great teams have a couple of nasty characters in there. We don’t really have any,though Gabriel and White do show grit. Maybe it’s an outdated concept but I have to admit I yearn for a Souness,Keane,Vieira type player. Trouble is ,like I said earlier, these guys come with egos. But there are the Henderson, Kante,Matic types also who seem to be very effective without the histrionics. Very interesting to see where… Read more »
Give me samba Bruno to partner Partey serious match right there.
Zach
watch that highlight reel of his.
yawn
get me some coffee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B7lrtFc4fM
Tielmans would fit nicely. Good age, and strong player… B2B
ya tielemans would be ideal. you think its on?
Guns thats a harsh assessment of Arthur, dudes quality but Bruno has more in tank for me and will make that his space in Brazilian side.
Conte has put Tottenham in a pickle. On one hand he’s given them transfer demands……on the other, he’s hardly assured them he’d see out his contract that ends next May.
Its going to be interesting to see whether they stick or twist.
Personally I think they’d be nuts to rebuild the squad to his liking when he might walk any time he gets bored of the process.
When you read some of the comments that have been made online about Arsenal having four players at AFCON, and that being solely our fault, it’s almost as if they are saying “It’s your own fault for signing African internationals”.
Those people are one step away from saying teams should not sign African players because AFCON will leave you short and you’ve no business being short of players. I’m sure that will go down well with CAF.
Zach, parties with Neymar is the gist. Like to have a Peroni at the wheel as well.
Almunia I’ve never seen Vlahovic either, If we get him, hopefully we’ve identified a top talent who keeps improving, it appears that we’re targeting a certain style of striker, so at least there seems to be a plan I like Douglas Luiz, really understated player, stylistically similar to Gilberto Silva, he’s at a good age and level of experience, quietly goes about his job efficiently + effectively without any fuss I think he’ll go to a top club this summer, maybe Liverpool, City, Arsenal, who could all be looking at central midfield If he went back to City to replace… Read more »
Sal
That fella got no Samba in his feet.
Gimme another Brazilian player.
Id love Richarlison in the team – fella can ball
I can do with Guimares too
Not Melo tho
nonono
sounds like my kinda guy, either way we just need fucking bodies at this point. tielemans would be a coup
Rich, I was thinking the same way about Rice, he’ll be off soon but Wenger Eagle made a good case for him returning to Chelsea. City need to replace Fernandihno, utd,need to replace matic( and Fred ain’t cutting it), Liverpool will prob look to replace Henderson and Chelsea as I’ve said could go for Rice. So it’s a position that’s going to be difficult to fill. I really hope we sort it soon because in a shoot out against those other clubs we won’t be the biggest draw as things stand. Right,that’s it for me tonight Rich, mind yourself ,talk… Read more »
Zach you watch football?
Raider fan or niners?
excuse me
But NFL!
Football is football
niners, havent watched in years dude. my first game was joe montana’s injury home to the giants in the playoffs. a bit cursed. close friend is a diehard and he’s been having fun again. this season. dude locks himself in on sunday
honestly, football soccer whatever is one of the only sports i spend a lot of time watching, bit of boxing, bit of tennis, baseball is what i grew up on though. i got drafted by the a’s as a 14 year old into their summer program, tore up my rotator cuff and started playing music and smoking cigs so never really went back…
Damn Zach
So close man….
Should be seeing you on the tv in the green and yellow of the A’s
If you ever want to quit the smoking I know of a great hypnotherpist in SF
worked for me. Instantly.
12 years now without a marlboro…
one of the only teams i could have aspired to anyway! haha
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/arsenal-report-leicester-star-youri-tielemans-in-talks-with-gunners-as-shock-move-emerges
Talks have been held.
IF we can get Tielmans I would be really really happy.
49.5m on Transfermarket.
Worth it. 24 yrs old. Prem tested. Strong. A true B2b
Plus would make Xhaka warm the bench rest of the season hopefully
Bertie.I hope that nail in the Melo coffin is at least 6”.A crab. & the old lady apparently is asking for Partey as a swap.Ha ha ha .😂what they smoking over there.These Italian clubs.Why bother.Don’t have a pot to piss in.
In the immortal words of the other Bergkamp :
It seemed like a matter of minutes when we began rolling in the foothills before Oakland and suddenly reached a height and saw stretched out ahead of us the fabulous white city of San Francisco on her eleven mystic hills with the blue Pacific and its advancing wall of potato-patch fog beyond, and smoke and goldenness in the late afternoon of time.
Dariano does NOT approve.
Nice one Sal
Im stoked on Klay coming back to the dubs.
Come playoff time its on baby.
Sal what about you? Watch nfl?
Giants?
I think we’re being jerked around. Leicester would take less money to avoid selling to us. They’re not stupid and they see us as a direct competitor. Vlahovic is wanted by Dortmund, and they’ll have the money, so can make an pre agreement for the summer. That’s why they’re pushing Haaland to make a decision fast. I hope our second targets are good. Juventus have been obnoxious to us about Melo. Serves them right if his injury causes them to pay his salary for at least another 6 months. They should’ve been thrilled to have our interest in covering his… Read more »
Nigel
Trust me that injury was a blessing to us. Dont need him dont want him.
Tielmans can come to us.. we always pay big salaries
Guns
Footie is king, followed by tennis and cycling which I competed in and still ride. Do love a Rangers game though, fucking mental the pace on ice.
NFL feels a bit UFC which feels VERY WWF always expecting Hulk Hogan to jump out of the 10 yard line and assault the living room with Connor McGregor then asking if anyone wants a shot.
Forget him
Hacksaw Duggan
Junkyard dog
Rick Flair
80s WWF was the best for sure…
You like those cultured sports sal. Good for you!
Never quite got into cycling. Just tour de F but then got bored.
Never ice hockey.
Unless I’m mistaken, the winners of the Carabao Cup qualify for the Europa Conference League. Clearly a dream scenario would be for us to win the Carabao but qualify for Champions or Europa in the league and pushing Spurs out of a Europa place and back into the Europa Conference League. That would be tasty!
One other thing, unlike some others on here I just can’t see a title tilt next season. It’s only fair to see this as a 3 year plan if we look at this year as Year 1.
Year 1: Qualify for Champions or Europa League and strengthen the squad.
Year 2: Solidify a top 6 position (ideally top 4), do well in Europe and strengthen the squad further.
Year 3. Compete for the title and hopefully a European trophy.
Even that seems a little aggressive but at least more manageable than a title run next season.
GUNS
I live close to the MSG, hardly cultured but hence Rangers.
Not like theres a cricket ground round on 8th ave.
Pointing out unflattering detail about whats going on at Arsenal does Not equate to defending other clubs.
Im telling you for free!
Rick Rude on WWF was the greatest.
Cycling is bad for your testes, guard you gonads
Coutinho goal and an assist , who wouldve predicted eh ?
Boris was only doing what the English ruling class knows best, being cruel and oppressive.
Divine
Champagne Charlie would have
Hope we get Tielmans
Ward Prowse can absolute belt a ball. That was an absolute screamer from 40 odd yards out.
Also Bruno Fernandes is a whinging ferret. Fuck united.
What a proper gaff from Martinez though haha.
I’m stoked this game is off. 330am on a Monday morning when I have to start at 530am. Don’t rate that at all 😂😂
Man, how many “year 1’s” does Arteta get.
I am loving the refreshed outlook of the club ATM. But we are in an absolute pickle in midfield due to 2 men. And if that ruins 4th place then they don’t deserve next season for me
The Tottenham “poor me” plea message suits them to a t.
Fuck of ya spuds
And just to say after reading people complain about fans having an opinion but not living in the UK timezone as being ‘mental’ or having problems…
Go fuck yourselves.
I don’t care what time it is or how many unanswered messages I type on here, I just love it is a place I can talk to like-minded people. I’m sorry I don’t live in England 🖕(that’s for Tony)
The decision to postpone game was 100% correct in the circumstances whatever some critics may think. We were provided with a fixture schedule, which was unrealistic in absence of players at Afcon + Covid. The only justification for criticising the decision was maybe that we allowed AMN to go out on loan before finding a replacement, but that did not change the maths of our outfield absentees.. Arsenal will still have one week with two games in January without Xhaka, but that will not be as critical as playing and losing against Spurs with our team on its knees this… Read more »
Also I think that the ban on Marseille buying players in next two transfer windows if upheld
is very good news.
First Marseille will not be able to exercise option to buy Guendouzi at what was a low transfer fee. Arsenal can now demand a higher fee.
Second Saliba will not have the option of forcing Arsenal to sell him to Marseille which might have been likely in the summer. It will reduce his option to return to Arsenal.
Personally, I believe that unless there was a mass outbreak of covid within a club, all games should have gone ahead . Arsenal had a perfectly good side that played v Brentford on the opening day of the season and the game rightfully went ahead . We had 22 shots at goal that day compared to 8 against. It was just one of those days that events conspired to go against us , their crucial 2nd goal was a clear foul on Leno and had a massive bearing on the result. The premier league opened up a can of worms… Read more »
Covid mandates are unrealistic and unscientific Not only in football its clear for everyone to see, the earlier everyone admits this the better.
Ward Prowse can play, no doubt but he’s very static and not that nifty in tight situations. Didn’t have a gray drop of the shoulder. He would also cost an English premium
I think we can do better. He will be going for around £40-£45m I’d reckon. De Jong won’t be much more than that. If I was Arteta I’d spend £70m easily to bring him to the emirates. He could be this team’s bergkamp moment
Pierre Our game against Brentford is not a good example, because it was the first game of the season and whilst clearly our team was not match fit there were not the level of injuries and tiredness that is the case today. The argument put forward by some against postponement might have been valid if applied elsewhere. That was not the case. Let’s be clear Arsenal are in the situation we are now in, because FOUR outfield players are at Afcon and that is down to FIFA and EPL. If these organisations are encouraging African players to come to Europe… Read more »
Brilliant news about Guendouzi and Saliba coming back. Saliba should be kept and integrated into the squad as the Mari replacement… and to provide competition to Benny Blanco and Rob Holding. Unfortunately, as much as Guendouzi would fit our squad in terms of age and profile, I think that ship has sailed. It’s clear that both Arteta and Guendouzi have a personality clash which would just get in the way of squad unity. Plus, I don’t think Matteo is nowhere as good as he thinks he is. Having said that, I think we were selling Matteo for far too cheap.… Read more »
Emirates,
I don’t think Marseille’s transfer ban stops them from signing either Saliba or Guendouzi. If I remember Chelsea were able to sign Kovacic despite a ban because he wasn’t a “new” player and had already been registered on loan. I also remember Atletico signing a new player (Vitolo) during a ban and then loaning him out until the ban had finished.