… aaaaaand we’re back here at Agenda FM and today we’re talking about the top 4, kids, and tactical innovation.
Spurs beat Manchester City.
United beat Leeds.
Wolves are level with Leicester.
The top 3 won again.
The only club to get a bloody nose this weekend was West Ham United against Newcastle.
So what have we learned?
Well, the Spurs result was probably the most interesting.
In the moment, I was panicked, I took a time out, cried a bit, but after taking a beat, I’m a little calmer about it.
The ‘Conte is Elite’ fans were quick to call time on Arsenal’s season after the result, pointing to the Italian as the genius behind that result, but scratch beneath the surface and I just can’t have that. Antonio is a world-class manager, no doubt, but he’s not getting world-class performances out of this current side. Beating City is a valuable 3 points, but frame it up against their 3 losses to Chelsea and getting beaten by Wolves and Southampton, and you get the measure of the team. City battered Spurs despite playing badly, and they were beaten by 3 goals that came from 4 shots on target. It would have been 4 goals from 5 had the disallowed goal been allowed to stand. That’s not managerial genius, that’s Harry Kane shop windowing himself to a side that he really, really, really wanted to go to last summer. No one scored 75% of their shots against the best defence in the league, that is an aberration and so, so far from sustainable.
Again, big reminder here, Spurs sit 8th, but they are 3 points away from Arsenal. For me, they are still the biggest threat to our top 4 hopes. One slip and they are right back in… and there will be a slip, because that’s the Premier League.
‘HARRY KANE IS SOOOO ELITE’ was the cry after the game, and look, he truly is elite, but this season? Not so much. Big thanks from Agenda FM to Rich in the comments for these stats.
LG COMMENT OF THE DAY
Kane isn’t the best attacking midfielder or striker
Kane
1882 league minutes
7 goals
2 assists
Goal contribution every 209 minutesSmith Rowe
1380 minutes
9 goals
2 assists
Goal contribution every 125 minutesLacazette
1122
3 goals
5 assists
Goal contribution every 140 minutesSaka
1741 minutes
7 goals
4 assists
Goal contribution every 158 minutes
Arsenal fans have a habit of looking at everyone else’s grass and commenting on how lush and green it is… even when that grass is mottled, covered in dog poo. We’ve scored 5 more goals than Spurs and conceded 5 less. Harry Kane is the boogeyman everyone fears, but he’s been very poor this season because his head has been turned.
It was also amazing after the Brentford game to read people lamenting the Brentford performance and the fact that Saka and ESR had to bail us out with individual brilliance.
Ok… so on the performance. We played a deep-block against a team that had no interest in coming at us. We had 24 attempts at goal, 8 shots on target and we registered an xG of 1.89 according to Scott at Crab Stats. What more could you want from the performance bar a clean sheet?
Now let’s talk about relying on ESR and Saka… they ARE the players we rely on, that is the plan, that isn’t an accident, it shouldn’t be seen as problematic that our number 7 and 10 are doing elite bits in games. That is what they are their for, that is why they have those numbers, those are the players Arsenal put their chips on. If you are asking why we’re relying on young players at this stage of the season, you missed the whole strategy.
Instead of asking if we should be relying on young players like this, the better comment should be, wow, it is phenomenal that ESR are Saka have better goal contributions than Harry Kane with less minutes… the future is very, very bright.
I also wanted to talk more about the general oddness that I see around Arsenal performances from people STILL grinding an axe about the project with 15 games to go.
⚽We rank 3rd for shots p/g (15)
⚽We rank joint 3rd for shots on target p/g (5.2)
⚽We have kept the 3rd most clean sheets (11)
⚽We have the youngest squad in the league (24.5)
Our players are delivering output like the above after only 20 games. We don’t have a proper striker yet. I’m honestly not sure how anyone can be posting on #ArtetaOut.
Remember, we’re at the start of a cycle, most of the teams around us are entering peak or exiting it, there might be a shift of the world order at some point and we need to be there to pick up the pieces. Liverpool is not what it seems and when they have to renew, it’ll be very interesting to see how that goes. Pep G exiting City will be very difficult to manage because he keeps them to a standard that is too high to maintain under new leadership, then you have Chelsea who are clogging, Spurs who are going to have to deal with Conte for the next 18 months, and United which is a basket case.
For once, we seem like a normal club, capable of being dependable.
A few injuries could change the impression there, but overall, we’re in good shape. I’m going to the Wolves game this week, that really is a huge evening. It’s a #Top4 six-pointer for me. You know I really, really rate Wolves. They are more than capable of damaging us if we’re complacent… but win that, and that feels like a mini Cup Final down. That puts us in good shape to hit Watford hard after the break. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.
Arteta went straight for the home fans after the press conference, talking about the Saka and ESR song the fans were belting out during the game. Again, I keep on saying this, but Arsenal fans have been MASSIVE (IRL) this season. The club was really worried about how the toxic online atmosphere of the summer would impact the players that didn’t really like playing at home. Well, they need not have worried. Our home fans have to be considered the most improved this season. The fans are there win or lose, creating noise, backing the young players, building fan > player relationships. That backing is worth xG, nay, it is worth points. This is not normal Arsenal fan behaviour, I sat in toxic stands during project youth, having to listen to our own supporters abusing Theo Walcott at corners. We’re a different breed now, we care about the project, and it’s paying dividends.
Remember, it is easy to be there when we’re winning… the measure of a fan is how they behave when times are tough. How did we behave after the three losses at the start of the season? We backed the boys.
It was also interesting to hear Arteta talk about that mythical week after the first 3 games. He talked about it again after the game. You kind of get the impression that the break was amazing because he learned who was in and who was out with regards to the project. I suspect that impacted how we operated in January with the exits. But however you cut it, the club has been very together ever since.
I wanted to talk about Xhaka, not the captain issue because that is irrelevant. I wanted to talk about Arteta moving him up the pitch. It’s interesting, it feels like we’re preparing for life without him. He plays further up the pitch and makes us less predictable to play against. Ideally, we’d have a more mobile midfielder occupying that role, someone that can do some damage with final ball passing and late runs into the box, but it’s interesting that it’s working now, even with Granit in that role.
What I like about all these things is there’s clearly a plan of where the club is going. There have always been reasons we don’t just play like City and they become clearer every time we tweak the system. This summer is going to be another round of hyper-specific signings, I just hope they land with the same impact, especially the striker.
I don’t want to go too deep here… but fuck me, refs, what are they like? I’m still struggling to come to terms with that handball yesterday not being given in our favor. I watched McTominay of United get away with some horrendous stuff today. That Everton non-penalty. It’s a fucking shambles. What makes me laugh about Jon Moss is how arrogant he was about being awful. The man isn’t fit enough, he’s not mobile enough, and he’s not good enough. We need a clean sweep at the top with refs, accountability should be the name of the project.
Right, that’s me done. See you in the comments. Watch the damn podcast.
Here’s a stat that tells you about Arsenal and ambition.
Yesterday, Salah became the 10th Liverpool player to score 150 league goals for the club.
I can only think of 3 for Arsenal, Cliff Bastin (from the 1930s), Ian Wright and Thierry Henry.
That is how you measure true success.
Pierre, I love your posts, you always make me think about things. With Willock you just make me think you’re trying too hard. The strengths that every manager loves about Xhaka (and we’re talking about improving upon him).. ….excellent positioning, almost always choosing the right pass, keeping things ticking along, working hard for the team, understanding the system.., Of all of those , the only one Willock has is possibly the hard work. We’ll be looking for a professional, cultured midfielder who can help in attack and defence, who knows when and where to be in the scheme of things.… Read more »
This is what the control freaks on the left don’t understand about free speech. This bullshit right here is where you are wrong making it a left vs right issue. The right wingers in America are banning and burning books like nazis who were also right wing so don’t give me the left wing is anti freedom of speech. If the right wing didn’t lie constantly using technology to distribute their fraudulent bullshit then they’d still have access to said social media. However they lie. Constantly just like fuhrer trump so that he might say something nice about them. Rich… Read more »
There is corruption and brainwashing in both left and right. They use different ways, but they are not very different in the end.
Herbs, you don’t measure ambition based on players scoring 150 goals for a club. Theo scored 108 and was a huge downgrade on the levels
ok Pedro, but you’re not big on looking at Arsenal from a historical context, I’ve been supporting over 50 years, which apparently has no relevance to who Arsenal are today, even though the club philosophy is exactly the same.
Surely xhaka was moved forward because tets finally learned how much of a total liability he is in deeper areas
Rich
Take your stupid political views to reddit
You write like you grew up in a test-tube devoid of reality.
Everybody cancels; right and left , all sides of the spectrum.
Comprehende?
I. can’t fantom where the International appeal for Spurs comes from.
I’ve never met a spurs fan who’s not an British expatriate
Why would any one pay money to watch Spurs outside the UK.
Herbs, Liverpool didn’t win the league for 30 years in that 50 years, how can they be the benchmark for ambition because Salah has done well?
Diss, rich is just calling for free speech, and making a great point about the cancel culture types. hardly offensive.
I’m offended no-one has offended me yet
Dissenter
You wanted laws or rules based on people being banned from booing a national anthem.
But then you want the right to say I have stupid political views, and that I grew up in a test tube avoid of reality
Well what if I’m offended?
You want the right to offend? But you don’t want anything that offends you personally?
You think free speech is a stupid political view…
I think you’re kind of proving my point for me
Thanks for that 👍
Historical context, Pedro. What did Arsenal do in those 30 years of Liverpool’s title drought. Arsenal won four titles (still six short of Liverpool), and in all that time still couldn’t put themselves on Liverpool’s level, who won two CL in that time. Liverpool are a club who buy players like Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, Mo Salah, Arsenal have always refused to go big on a striker, which is why they always fall short. You obviously weren’t around during Liverpool’s dominance in the ’70s, Pedro, but they truly left everyone behind, only United seriously responded when Fergie took over. And… Read more »
Herbs, we one 2 Div One titles, 3 Premier Leagues, went invincible, totally changed the game in the Premier League, and moved into a new stadium.
Talk to me about ambition? What’s missing here?
European success, Pedro, and the fact that we haven’t and won’t close the gap on United (who we were ahead of going into the 90’s), or Liverpool (who overtook Arsenal in the mid-70s and have never looked back). Or the fact that when Chelsea became the first London club to win the CL, absolutely nothing from Arsenal, not a murmer of a response. It’s not like we want it or anything. That’s what’s missing, that genuine buzz of excitement, or the feeling that we are moving the needle. We are stuck, doing what we’ve always done, trying to get excited… Read more »
Herbs, no doubt we lack euro trophies, but that wasn’t through lack or ambition, it was just a bad approach then Stadium realities.
Arteta is jam tomorrow but on a sounder footing. At this point, there’s no other way, because we are so far behind
Rich I’m pretty much with you on those political opinions, but better to save those for different forums.
Nigel Tufnell “I doubt he(willock) could even understand what Arteta is trying to have us do on the pitch. I’m not even joking about this. The strengths that every manager loves about Xhaka (and we’re talking about improving upon him).. ….excellent positioning, almost always choosing the right pass, keeping things ticking along, working hard for the team, understanding the system..,” I am not disagreeing with this point about Willock being tactically naive, what i will say is that he is learning , albeit not quite as quick as others.. I watched him play higher up the pitch for newcatle at… Read more »
Arsenal are not a progressive, forward thinking exciting club, Pedro, everything they do has to take an age, you talk about Liverpool’s 30 year title drought, Arsenal are 18 years into their current drought with no end in sight, and we both know Liverpool will win their 20th title long before Arsenal win their 14th.
To the people who are going to be ringing a loud bell on legrove, waving their arms (figuratively)… every time Aubameyang does something good… (This, I predicted, by the way) You’re the guys who can’t resist Facebook stalking your exes, getting gossip about them, etc. Just let it go. He’s part of our past. I like him a lot. I’m happy for him to do well wherever he goes. I saw a photo of him celebrating a goal today on twitter.., that great smile, very happy for him. Just let your exes go, wish them well and move on. Every… Read more »
Herbs, Arsenal has the most exciting project in Europe. It’s taken 2 years to get there, but it’s there.
Arteta is the best young coach in Europe
Our squad is way ahead of schedule, and super exciting
We are in the mix for top 4 at the start of our cycle
There is an end in sight, you just need a bit of vision
Whoah, good thing we won this weekend.
4th place is still in our hands; Spurs just did the impossible. But I think they will Spurs it up at the end.
Pierre, very well said here!
“As for xhaka having “excellent positioning” ,if that was the case , he wouldn’t have gave away the pen v city , he wouldn’t have got sent off v liverpool, he wouldn’t get numerous yellows due to being caught the wrong side of an opponent …..basically out of position.
A player who has excellent positioning is a player who can read the game …that player is not xhaka. I’m afraid..”
The thing with arsenal lumping in bulk crosses, is that one we have aerially weak strikers, but also that we never allow our forwards to run into a cross rather than mostly being static. If we crossed earlier or played cut backs or lower crosses I feel we’d have more success. We had lots of players in and around the box but no-one really in that inside channel just outside the box waiting for it when we broke down the wing, which meant the Brentford players could cut a lot of passing lanes easily, especially the aerial route. It’s so… Read more »
I liked having both ode and esr in further forward positions in a game like this. Pepe came on and was a nuisance. Saka is a little weapon even if he’s not quite having his best of games.
It’s just laca at the moment holding the attack back. Pepe or martinelli need a run through the middle.
Unfortunately I feel the only chance of that is if laca is injured and Eddie has a shocking game or 2
Arsenal is Arsenal, Pedro, very conservative and risk averse with the brakes always on. That’s how they were under the Hill-Wood’s and Bracewell-Smith’s, and that’s what they are today. Arteta may or may not be the best young coach in Europe, that is your projected opinion, I wouldn’t describe his brand of football as brave exciting or revolutionary. He was a very underwhelming unambitious hire, and only has the job because he was a £10m deadline day trolley dash buy in 2011. I don’t think his playing career at Arsenal warrants giving him the most important job at the club,… Read more »
Pierre
I am one of those who is supportive of Willock. But it is unfair to compare him to Xhaka. They are very different players with different skill sets. Like comparing Giroud to Walcott even though they play the same position.
Goobergunner
We have tried the Martinelli through the mid experiment before and it does not work. He is far better on the left. Martinelli is very much like Sanchez. He needs to be in that spot for it to work
Herbs
Lately not so. I don’t like Arteta football either. But you can’t sniff at the price tag of Pepe, Partey and last season’s outlay. $$ is spent, that is a fact.
Pepe’s is of course super fishy but that is another issue altogether.
Pierre, I totally understand that Xhaka gets beat, but everyone does, he just does it in a spectacular fashion, lol. It’s not nearly as often as is portrayed here, or else no manager would start him, every game… and they all do. Keep in mind, if we play 50 games a year in all comps, he will play 90 minutes in almost all of them, and has been great in keeping fit. The reds are too often, but as a % of games, I’d still keep playing him until we finally bring in someone better. That should be this summer.… Read more »
@pedro: “… Arteta is the best young coach in Europe Our squad is way ahead of schedule, and super exciting…” This below stat is from Orbinho on twitter: ” Arsenal are one of only three teams without any points against the current top 4 in the Premier League 10 Man C 7 Spurs 6 Leicester Liverpool W Ham 4 Villa Southampton Wolves 3 Brighton Chelsea Palace Watford 2 Burnley Everton 1 Brentford Man U Newcastle 0 Arsenal Leeds Norwich ” Pedro you make these assertion and the best coach cannot beat the top teams. It is within your right how… Read more »
Herbs
Arsenal have always refused to go big on a striker, which is why they always fall short …
Ted Drake, Joe Baker, Malcolm Macdonald, Charlie Nicholas, Ian Wright ….. all club record buys at the time. There’s also Alan Smith. Wouldn’t mind any of those in their pomp in the side now.
Herbs, how he played at 32 doesn’t matter.
Does the brand of football he’s designing have a chance?
Yes.
3rd most clean sheets
3rd most shots per game
4th most shots on target
Fans on side
Arteta was very ambitious, because we hired for the future, the unknown ceiling.
Nothing braver than belief in an idea.
‘Ambtion’ to you is who? Carlo? Jose? Nuno? Emery? Ralf? Tuchel?
Think we’ve learnt our lesson on crowd wisdom,
Ben, we beat City and CFC to win a cup final. How long did it take Pcch to win one?
Our record against top teams hasn’t been better in 15 years.
Stevie G has been a bit shit at Villa, have I missed something?
There isn’t a better young coach in Europe than Arteta
Conte showed he’s elite in the game vs City but that doesn’t mean the Spuds are. That sort of game suits his tactical style and also plays to Kane’s strengths. When it comes to playing #10 on the break, there’s no one like him. In games where they’re expected to dominate and create, it’s a different story. There will plenty of Spursiness on display in the next 4-5 games. As for Auba, who gives a shit if he scores? It doesn’t change the reality of his output since he signed his last contract with us. I don’t have anything against… Read more »
LS 💯🚀
Press Box Goober Ted Drake was part of that wonderful 1930’s side when Arsenal were dominant. (He also managed Chelsea to their first title in 1955). Joe Baker is just before my time, but stats suggest that he was a star man in an otherwise average side. Malcolm Macdonald was Terry Neill’s first marquee signing, the same summer, Aston Villa paid £100k for Andy Gray from Dundee United. Macdonald, given his reputation, was a big disappointment. He was virtually anonymous in the ’74 Cup final playing for Newcastle against Liverpool, as he was four years later for us against Ipswich.… Read more »
*Press Box Gooner!
@pedro Ben, we beat City and CFC to win a cup final. How long did it take Pcch to win one? Yes we did 3 seasons ago. Maybe we will still beat Chelsea this season. However, this season we have lost to both teams already and have no point in the EPL against the current top 4 teams. Poch never won in England but he assembled a great team had a lovely process but no trophy. Arteta won a trophy when there was no process. I hope he wins more cause at the end I want Arsenal to be successful.… Read more »
Ambition would be someone like ten Hag from Ajax.
Pedro
Make sure you celebrate the fuck out of that Wolves win ! I want to see Ruben Neves in tears at the end of the game.
Ben, do the stats on Arteta’s record against the big teams.
Arteta won a trophy 10 years before Poch,
He is two years in and he’s challenging top 4.
The Emirates is rocking.
Hard to deny I called it…
“My worries around Thursday & wolves surround the PGMOL appt” Excuses prepared already Positive Pete. Don’t worry we have the best coach in Europe says Pedro, and a squad capable of 4th says me since the beginning of the season, why the negativity? BobN16 defender of the pedro realm cheering on the Pedro/Arteta henchmen and blasting any poster who has other negative thoughts or concerns. Then tells K’phobe he missed out ‘Liberal’ that just made me laugh from liberal. Bob you there complain about the negative vibes here, but you’re not sure about Arteta as your go to line. Bob.… Read more »
Tony
Keep limited space for Podence and Neves to work in and their attack is less imposing.
Think we did that pretty well at the Molineux there . Just a repeat of that game would be nice .
Pedro Chelsea fans can crow because they are world club champions and CL holders. City fans can crow because they are PL champions. Liverpool fans can crow because they are recent PL and CL winners and still very much in the mix. Why are you crowing? Because you’re putting a new positive spin on a philosophy that is over 70 years old that still means we’re no nearer to the top table? That’s what you’re describing, the same thing Arsenal have been flogging for years. Arsenal must be the only club where success isn’t measured by football achievements, and the… Read more »
McTominay gets 5 or 6 free fouls per game. He’s been doing it all season. Then he gets a useless yellow in the 87th minute. Meanwhile, Raphina gets a yellow for his first foul (very tame) as soon as he comes on. Massive bias/shitshow in refereeing.
Tony, it’s past Valentine’s Day and you are still whining?
Head back to that Thai bar with the laughing boys and your some and check if they are still laughing at The Arsenal
(They won’t be)
Herbs, here’s where I wonder about your fandom or understanding of football culture
‘Chelsea fans can brag about the World Club Cup’
Please mate… said no CFC fan ever
Tony, you need to apologise to EB, not critique him. The man has been 100% on the money all season. The only obsessive is you, your son, and your Thai mates. We are where you said we wouldn’t be, past the weird deadline you set, and you still roll onto this site like you are the expert. ‘After Feb 14th, I’ll accept the progress’ EB needs an apology. So do I. We wait… But here’s the real issue… imagine being so wrapped up in your own bad opinions you can’t enjoy the club you support being in the top 4… Read more »
Sorry for the Chelsea thing, Pedro, when I was growing up the only teams we hated with a passion was Spurs and United.
Troll away Pedro not good optics from where I’m standing because I’m happy and have been for a while since we got back on the top 4 trail, which was my minimum requirement at the start of the season, especially with Arteta being proclaimed by you as godlike but in football material terms. You’ll have to speak to the Thais about laughing at Arsenal. I don’t drink alcohol and haven’t done for about 4 years now and bars where the football is shown is hardly my destination when I have better tech at my home. It’s always rattled you my… Read more »
‘Tony, you need to apologise to EB, not critique him’
Why? I have never posted about him.
You need to……. lmfao
How about you need to stop trolling?
Thing is, Pedro if your ‘Best Young Coach in Europe’ lives up to his hype, then we will ALL be happy when we achieve CL for next season.
Anything else has to be deemed as failure as it was for Emery. Nest pas?
Nieel
Don’t know what you’re on about regarding talking about ex players and their performances and who gets to talk about them.
I’ve been on this blog for more than a decade and we’ve always talked about ex players when they score or get sent off or just generally how they’re going away from us. Some of us watch football beyond Arsenal.
This place has truly become a bit weird the last year or two
You’re celebrating the trophy of ‘ being in and around top 4’, yet we’ve only not been challenging the top 4 under Arteta.
Lowering the bar makes your targets more achievable haha, so it’s not a win quite yet
Tony I don’t know what’s more embarrassing your arsenal opinions or the fact you frequently use the word bantz unironically.
Pedro
What a weird post. Are you using the post now to get your point across?
Arsenal should worry about winning their games rather than looking at what other results are going our way
So the so called Premier League highlighted games over the weekend on Facebook, and conspicuously omitted Arsenal’s win.
If we didn’t win, they’d have made top news out of the headline.
Something’s really going on and it’s dirty.
Rambinho another troll embarrassingly using the Pedro Troll handbook.
‘We have 3 games in hand and 4 points off 4th with 3 very winnable games ahead of us, why wouldn’t I be happy?’
Clearly positive is it not?
Do try harder Don or whoever you are?
No offence taken Tony. Everybody is entitled to an opinion, positive or negative. Personally I don’t like ‘extremism’ and in particular negative extremism in Arsenal terms.
Liberal is used as a criticism, personally I see it as a backhanded compliment – someone who believes in individual freedoms but dislikes people who are fixed mindset, irrational, populist and intransigent. That’s why the right, in particular, hates the liberals who pick them out for their populist manipulation of the voters.
Enough already!
This blog is no longer for me.
eb, Rich, Nigel are the new stars of the show because of their unwavering support for Arteta.
I remember not so long ago when CG and Val’s hot takes were being quoted too.
Have fun everyone. COYG
Tony Good morning. How’s life with you and the family? That’s really the gist of all of this isn’t it. Today’s world, Pedro being a prime example, is all about trying to convince (sell) ideas to people based on data and statistics. Youngsters don’t t get it or understand that the “reality” of the situation is what makes life work. Pedro’s world is based on supporting an individual above Arsenal because his data base tells him that is the case. Based on where we stand today, top 4 is a distinct possibility but my head says that Arteta is still… Read more »
Pedro to Tony
“But here’s the real issue… imagine being so wrapped up in your own bad opinions you can’t enjoy the club you support being in the top 4 race? Is that support?It’s not.. is it?”
Interestingly pedro, the above comment could have been made by me about you during the many years when finishing anywhere other than top under wenger ( and winning multiple FA cups ); was regarded as failure..
Using your words ……”Is that support , it’s not is it “
Jamie
Gonna need them one-liners from you bro
But totally understand what you are saying. Just ignore them.
Interesting post Graham,
I would go further and say that algorithms and the manipulation of data is an incredibly powerful ( and potentially dangerous) tool – Cambridge Analytical etc.
With Arsenal we can at least see and judge our performances. My pessimistic ( realistic?) side does still have doubts about Arteta however the squad’s trajectory seems clear and positive. I try not to imagine how excited it would have been if we’d landed a top striker in the Jan window.
Arteta really needs to work out if Xhaka and Laca starting every match is for the best.
The old Le Groan is the new Untold It’s like the Guardian suddenly extolling the virtues of free market capitalism or the Telegraph arguing for the importance of diversity Perfectly valid views it just takes some adjusting to particularly for those of us who read a range of blogs and papers to get a spectrum of opinions (and think we know what biases to expect where) – I used to read Le Grove and Untold in the late Wenger years for the same reason I read New Statesman and Spectator on politics, all articulate but blinkered but by getting a… Read more »
Tony Last week I was contacted by the CEO of a major sports and leisure operator here in Worthing, who was angered by a communication sent to him by a group of volunteers, which included myself, who were critical of his methods of maintaining certain areas of the facilities. Basically we told him he was neglecting his fundamental duties of care. We, for several years now, have been ensuring the upkeep of two of these sites because he and his back scratchers don’t. We all pay membership fees to use these facilities. He said we were “muddying his and the… Read more »
“GonsterousFebruary 21, 2022 06:46:32
“Pedro What a weird post. Are you using the post now to get your point across?”
What a weird comment.
Well it’s his blog so yea you would assume he was getting his points across wouldn’t you?
Can’t sleep and bored. “Liberal” is never an insult. Neither is “communist” unless it is hurled as a derogatory euphemisms substitute for Jew. Laws and sanctions are applied to freedom of speech so people aren’t assholes and call each other worse things than liberals and communists. Nothing complicated or sinister. Times change and some people are always slower to change than others. I’m waiting for my country (Canada) to have our own version of Trump, Johnson, Balsoneiro, etc) I accept that it will happen in my lifetime, unfortunately. Now I’m gonna sit back and watch to see how this short… Read more »
Hi Jamie I know you’ll follow your own course but don’t cut off all ties mate – your oeuvre is among the best on here. This site can be irritating and frustrating to read a lot of the time. It’s the Pravda-esque nature of it that sticks in the craw. Plus many of the pro-Arteta s voices all sound remarkably similar and therefore trite. And I’ll miss the occasional Hibee chat! Still spring is around the corner (I’m in Barcelona where its 20 degrees today 🏜️) so it could be time to get back out on the links. Take it… Read more »
I’m at a point that I can’t decide what Arsenal FC has to to give me. Beautiful football, a proper trophy challenge, CL football, an exciting project or a nice jersey for the weekend? Maybe it’s coz the club hasn’t been super specific on what they CAN give me. Maybe they did and I missed that presser. Stats are good but become better when married with what’s o the ground. The internet can say that we had 10 shots and 7 were on target. I’d be impressed but someone who was on the stands might say 3/7 were tame shots… Read more »
Interesting to see the Smith has the same goals and CR7 and Bruno. Absolutely amazing player.
Graham 16 The Leisure industry in UK has been crippled by the Pandemic. Most of the major leisure groups are “managers of facilities” rather than “owning” them. One of the largest leisure groups in Britain is GLL. They manage the Swimming Complex and Copper Box in Olympic Park as well as sports facilities in Camden and Islington. They are a spin off from the Leisure Department in Greenwich and have built over the last 20 20 years a large portfolio managing sports centres, swimming pools and interestingly libraries. Their portfolio contains facilities combining modern and dated which most local authorities… Read more »
May the new AKBs arise!
And may I present LeGrove – the most AKB site in the Universe.
Jamie, keep fighting the good fight mate. It’s literally 3-5 people being louder than most. Who gives a damn?!
Sorry to here you’re jumping ship Jamie.Though our viewpoints were probably polar opposites still respected your opinions.wish you the best.
Herbs Army ‘Malcolm Macdonald was Terry Neill’s first marquee signing, the same summer, Aston Villa paid £100k for Andy Gray from Dundee United. Macdonald, given his reputation, was a big disappointment. He was virtually anonymous in the ’74 Cup final playing for Newcastle against Liverpool, as he was four years later for us against Ipswich. He only gave us two years and he was finished.’ This is selective to say the least. You omit that Supermac cost £333,333. That was going big at the time. He won the golden boot in 1977, scoring 29 goals in his first season, and… Read more »
So, I have just emerged from a massive sulk from the Niners somehow contriving to lose to the Rams,vand it appears an element of unwelcome toxicity has emerged on LG. Surely we can voice opinions without feeling the need to savage other posters? Just saying.
🤦♂️ Jamie gone, after Charlie, Marc, Marko, Freddie.
That leaves I think Eagle, Sal, Midwest, and Tom as the only normal people left on this blog.
Cheers Jamie, you were a good one!
Regardless of anything I hope everyone comes back for at least one comment when Arsenal win the title again, whenever that may be 🏆
Shame Tony will probably be dead by then.
Batistuta and Samesong are are pretty normal too.
Herbs Army
No, Liverpool have not been a constant threat. For most of the club’s. lifetime it was second string to Everton in the city.
Emirates
Unfortunately, this particular operator has been neglecting its duties for about 10 years.
They come under the umbrella of an ICT( Independent Charitable Trust) which they use as a front to justify their honourable ways and as you know to gain tax concessions.
Normal people!😂😂😂
Jamie Come back! I have, on numerous occasions. I don’t trust in Arteta. I love my club above any manager. Arteta is no different to Wenger Mark 2 and Emery. Imo, his list of failings far outweighs his list of achievements. Pedro and his entourage will continue with their PR bandwagon and provide us with glossy data to justify Arteta’s progress but I just go on what I see and feel. When I see teams that consistently do the simple things better than Arsenal and I’m not talking here about the likes of MC, Liverpool, Chelski etc, I have to… Read more »
Pedro’s Prayer – a lament for the departure of Jamie
Arteta, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be your name
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done, on Le Grove as it is in Heaven.
Give englandsbest and Rich his daily bread,
And forgive them their debts
And do not lead us to Top4 temptation
But rescue us from stretch targets
For the Arsenal Kingdom and the power and Emirates glory are yours forever.
Amen.
The posts constantly hide the facts.
Certain posters only look at the posi which, to be honest, are few and far between.
We have a wonderful chance of finishing top 4 but I know that even if we finish 8th, these same posters will still find ways to justify the “process”.
positives
Jamie I honesrly don’t believe you can find a better example of free speech than this site. Pretty much everyone can say what he (or she) pleases. But there is one caveat: he (she) must be an Arsenal fan. We don’t want to hear from people who don’t support the Club. Now that is a huge frame, with all kinds of opinions on how best to achieve success for Arsenal. And it’s perfectly okay to use sensible argument to back your opinion. And perhaps to use examples outside of football. On a personal level, I believe Arteta is the right… Read more »
Words
Very good!
Graham 62
Does the Trust own the facilities or just manage them?
If they are a Charitable Trust I would advise you that your first port of call should be the Charity Commission. If a Charity is not fulfilling its obligations they can investigate.
What are the facilities which are being neglected?
LUTEO
What happened to China the poster.
Anyone.
Always thought he had good merits.
Here are some interesting details about the 10 referees of this weekend’s games
J. Moss County Durham
R.Jones Merseyside
K.Friend Leicestershire
D.Coote Nottinghamshire
M.Dean Wirral
A.Taylor Cheshire
A.Madeley West Yorkshire
C.Cavanagh Lancashire
P.Tierney Lancashire
C.Pawson South Yorkshire
5 are from North West, 2 are from Yorkshire, 1 from North East and 2 from East Midlands.
Mike Dean [Wirral]] refereed Liverpool v Norwich, A.Taylor [Cheshire] refereed Man City v Spurs and P.Tierney [Lancashire] Man City v Spurs !!!!
Not one comes from London, South East, South West or West Midlands.
Words,
Amen to that! Lyric changing is one thing, but prayer…divine inspiration
James Wood,
I have been wondering that also. China was always a pleasure to read,never said he was leaving so I just hope he’s ok and taking a break.
Jamie,
I always enjoyed everything you wrote. I hope you take a break and come back recharged. We all need to do that from time to time. The Internet is not a great place for common sense but you always offered it nonetheless.
Must agree Jamie there has been some idiots on here lately
and for sure your not one of them.
Have a blow and visit us again soon.
Just watched a highlights video of Barca’s win. Auba actually scored a hat trick. First goal is an emphatic finish after sprinting to a long ball behind Valencia’s defence. Absolute top class finish that neither Laca or Eddie can produce. Second goal is a tap in after Ferran tried to shoot but turned out a delicious ball for Auba waiting for his prey. Third goal was a long range Pedri shot that sliced into Auba’s back or elbow but his arm wasn’t in an unnatural position so the goal was legit. He had a couple more chances including a penalty… Read more »
ES
Have been dealing with the Charity Commission. Thanks for your input though.
Your data on the refs makes interesting reading.
Yes Emirates.I posted that observation awhile back.Nor does it include any welsh refs just in case anyone is seen as moaning softie southerners..Why isn’t that anomaly being pointed out about the PGMOL by the prem & media?
Raptors.That “ 3rd goal” awarded to laughing boy,came off his arse.How appropriate.Since he spent his final days with us ,sitting on it.To credit him with that goal when he turned his back is a joke.
As another sidenote: I don’t usually watch any Spanish football other than El Clasico and when there’s a good game in the UCL. But ter Stegen looked pretty bad in the game vs Valencia. There was a cross from the flank, absolutely safe no one close to the ball but ter Stegen, zero pressure, in the goal area, ter Stegen tries to punch the ball to safety but instead guides it directly to his goal. Luckily for him, VAR intervened and the goal didn’t stand because the ball had left the pitch for a throw-in earlier in the attack. Valencia’s… Read more »
The ball changed trajectory after it hit Auba’s whatever. The keeper might have saved it if it wasn’t for the contact. It’s fortunate, but have a talk with the authorities that awarded him the goal. It wasn’t me.
Sorry guys
What you guys make of the Lea Thomas story
Asking for a friend