I always had this notion that who you are as a person stays loosely the same for the entirety of your life – with a few tweaks.
I have recently determined this idea to be FALSE.
Two years ago I pitched a gaming company, I bought the console we were marketing because I didn’t game and wanted to get a feel for it… today, I can sadly announce that I am a gamer and my preference is… fantasy games. I spent 6 hours playing a game last night. I was so captivated by it I forgot to go to the bathroom. I didn’t have an accident, but still… it was a painful walk.
How did this happen?
What am I going to tell my family?
Is Elden Ring cosplay going to vibe with my fiancé?
How about my workplace, will the be cool if I roll in on a horse with a sword? It’s legal. I’ve checked.
It’s bad man. I didn’t have this on my life bingo card, yet here I am, watching teenage gamer twitch streams begging for tips.
The pandemic really hit me hard…
ONTO FOOTBALL
We have a HUGE game tomorrow in the late Sunday kickoff against Leicester City. They have had a dreadful run in the Premier League this season. The Brendan Rodgers fanboys spent last year telling us how incredible their transfer strategy was, currently, they languish 12th in the league with a relegation level of goals conceded.
That’s why they are dangerous. They are in good form. They’ve won 4 on the bounce. Brendan has done Arteta before, can he do it again as he fights for his job?
Jamie Vardy is out of the game. They rested James Maddison on Thursday in their win over Rennes. We have some things going for us.
No team is worse in the league from set pieces than Leicester, so that should work for Arsenal who have been pretty good in that regard this season. They have conceded 43 goals this season, which is 4 more than we conceded in the entirety of last season.
We have to get at them.
Brendan Rodgers will likely be thinking about the Europa Conference as his best option this season, so the focus might not be entirely on Arsenal and there is always the chance he might rest players to make sure his team is fit to deal with the away game on Thursday.
The team news for Arsenal is basically that Tomiyasu is still out with injury. We haven’t seen him since the Manchester City game. That is quite the precaution we’ve taken with him. It hasn’t been the same injury, but it has been his calf muscle on both sides of his body, clearly, that’s the area that is problematic for him. I suspect there might be a consideration of Wednesday, the club might think he’s a better bet for Villa and Liverpool, two teams that will run at you, versus risking him on a 3 game run before he has some game time in the tank.
Arteta answered some tactical questions from Art De Roche, one of the few journalists that pushes the coach to explain his actions. The responses were interesting on Kieran Tierney’s overlaps and Granit Xhaka’s new advanced position.
‘Unpredictability’
This is all part of the process. You get the basics concepts in order (JdP), craft your technique as a team, repeat, repeat, repeat… then when you get into a groove as a side, you can start adding unpredictability to your game. Kieran Tierney on the overlap was THE tactic under Unai Emery and that carried through to Arteta for the first year. KT is now being challenged to think about the game a little deeper and stop telegraphing his intent. Granit Xhaka as an 8 is weird, teams don’t know how to react, that gives us more options. We’ve even heard Martinelli being challenged to control his power when running to throw defenders.
Arsenal were very predictable last year, we had two or three NFL like power plays, and if those were sussed, we had little else. This season, with better players, we’re a totally different proposition. You can’t sit back on our defence because every player can pick out 50 yard passes. You also have to think twice about pressing, because we have players that can run through it. Our midfield is packed full of technicians that can deal with all weather of players. Lacazette is a bit one-dimensional with his play because of mobility, but he’s a Swiss Army knife of a connector. He’s just very reliable at the job we ask him to do, but his finishing is dreadful.
The Chelsea mess gets more exciting by the day. Barclays froze their account. Bidders for the club have to go through the UK Government, hardly the sharpest group of minds when it comes to privatizing assets, right? The favorites at the moment are the Candy Brothers, who are a couple of real estate guys… this bid looks a bit like the Daniel Ek attempt at Arsenal. ‘We’re fans, we’ll give you representation’… big red flag that they have no money. Then you have the American/Swiss joint bid. Tod Boelhy and the Swiss guy seems like the more monied opp, but again, think about how bad this will be for Chelsea.
On the plus side, the Dodgers have been good in recent memory. There’s sporting know how, even though it’s baseball. Fenway Group are baseball lore, so that’s not a bad thing. Though the reality is, it took a while for Liverpool to get things right, so best case, there’s going to be a steep learning curve, at worst, there could be a KSE like dip of misery.
On the negative side:
- American sport is about guarantees. If you are shit, you get the best from the draft. No one gets relegated. Location is a huge advantage. It’s a walled off garden. Why does this matter? There’s no fuck you money in this deal, that’s the weapon Chelsea has always had. If they make a mistake, there’s always an AMEX Black card funded by Sugar Daddy Roman. No way an American is going to fund Chelsea like that.
- The word consortium says one thing to me: arguments. Football clubs cannot be a democracy. American’s and Europeans have VERY different values, I know, because I’ve lived through a Japanese takeover and an American one. We are different. Our sport is different. Neither of these two parties has experience in England.
- There’s also the question of ‘will it sell’… Matt Scott made the interesting point that Putin might see Chelsea as an easy way to apply pressure on the UK Gov. Crashing a football club meets the test of ‘low risk / high reward’ spoiling tactics of the Russians. Putin will see that cash as his own, if it’s not going to him, will he allow Roman to sell? Or does the UK Government basically own the club now? I have no idea.
Right now… it’s Spurs vs United. We’re winners whatever the result is here.
United win, that gives us the chance to pull ahead of 4th place faves Spurs
If Spurs win, that effectively ends United’s run for the top 4, which gives us focus, and might lead to a switch off for their toxic squad before we meet them.
See you in the comments.
Pierre
Who could have predicted that a talented 22yr old would improve individually + collectively with more game time…..
After how we’ve played today I am finally convinced we are on the right track. Favourites for top four and if we remain on this path will be challenging in 2 seasons.
Habesha
Ode has improved a lot in the last month or so. He played safe football last season and for the majority of this season. In the last month or so he has upped his game and now dictates the play more. More of the same from him against quality teams and I will have no qualms in admitting I was wrong about him.
Odegaard has looked sensational since December and this is the player I had hoped we were getting when we were first loaned him 14 months ago after being hugely impressed by him at Real Sociedad. He had a very underwhelming loan last season if we are being honest. Didn’t look up to speed for PL football and was too passive/on the periphery of games. I was 50-50 on whether I wanted us to buy him and he was 3rd on my shortlist after Aouar and Maddison if I am being honest. That was for the quoted £40m + at the… Read more »
DivineSherlock
Gallas was 6 foot on a Tinder profile and Toure was 5″10 in Tom Cruise’s shoes.
Individually excellent defenders but as a partnership, pure panic stations.
Mertesacker to a less extent was the last time since maybe Sol himself that was had a dominant and physical CB to deal with crosses/headers.
Gabriel is that guy.
Ode is proving to be an upgrade on ozil and is cesc like with more industry
I think he’s only going to get better
Mert had no pace at all and limited us given we could not protect him with a high line.
Gabriel has recovery pace. He really is a beast of a CB imio. Wish he was better on the ball but then I would be asking for Virgil Van Dijk II which is unfair.
If we play three at the back against Liverpool to match their three in attack and so our fullbacks can push theirs back I think we have every chance of beating them in my opinion.
Odegaard was marvellous, not only with his silky skills and smooth passing, he also put in a great shift pressing and defending.
great player.
Partey was in the groove as well
If we can upgrade Xhaka then we’ll have more control in midfield.
Long overdue i know
Management of our squad is important these days.Pepe did not touch the ball but smith Rowe
made a nuisance of himself as usual.. Laca will be fired up for the game on Wednesday.
G8
I agree. Xhaka is the weak link. Getting an upgrade will be crucial for this summer.
What a great game and omg just how good is Odegaard? Some of his footwork is unbelievable. That said, I saw enough of his game to be a fan last season and my biggest fear was that we may have upped his price by playing him as much. I was vey happy we had signed him as some of that brilliant close control was on display last season, despite the skepticism on here. He has just got better and better. Sure – we could see more goals and more assists – they will all come. What we really need is… Read more »
I still think this squad has a couple of more gears. We will find out on Weds. Would love us to just steamroll teams but that will come with experience. When this team becomes ruthless we will be very dangerous. Hope Saka is ok for Weds.
BOOM
Been out in the sticks and have just arrived back in civilisation to see the result. Can’t smile wide enough, me. One game at a time.
With confidence so high I can honestly see us turning over the red scousers in midweek. Won’t be easy and bound to be tight, but this side playing on their uppers don’t need to fear anyone.
I’m gonna divide opinion especially with those that don’t like Arteta since I also wasn’t convinced with the project but should we cruise to 4th or miraculously better then Arteta deserves to continue his work. I would be against anyone that thinks we should move him on for a ten Hag (Dutch league and Ajax is not a barometer for measuring a great manager or a star aligning attempt at CL which he didn’t win mind you few years ago now) or another continental manager that is available. The bests managers (Klopp and Pep) aren’t available in the summer and… Read more »
I had a bad feeling about today. I think the stars are aligning. They probably hate Ramsdale now as he’s frustrated them home and away. Who saw Roger’s mouthing ‘wow’ after Ramsdale ridiculous save?
I hope I didn’t just jinx it!
This isn’t to have a go at anyone in particular but claiming Odegaard wasn’t brave enough back when the entire team was playing defense first type football isn’t exactly fair on him, I don’t think.
Just as an illustration compare Maddison on a Vardy-less Leicester to Madison when the fit Vardy creates havoc off the last defender’s shoulder.
Night and day.
Spot on northbanker
TR7 Fair enough. But Odegaard is really an incredible signing at 30 mil. We have wasted that in the past in the likes of Mustafi and Xhaka. I think we really hot a huge talent for peanuts. Weagle Yeah, I think we will lose vs Liverpool too. But I am just hoping. If we get 4th, and get the CM and CF positions right then we are a fixture in the top 4 for the next 4 years. The real question would be can we push on from that and go for the big titles. We will have to get… Read more »
I must say Arteta is doing a very great job with the team,our defense has given a lot of joy lately
I noticed a pattern, whenever one of the back 4 moves with the ball into the midfield,the remaining 3 are always in line to form a back 3 immediately, irrespective of who takes the ball into the middle
One point against the scousers will be very helpful,when this boys play together for another full season,they will be a force to reckon with both in England and in Europe
Well done boys
I knew Ode just needed time. He controlled and caused westham last season. He was unplayable that day.
Don’t think we are ready for Liverpool yet. Not expecting much from that game. Pool won’t give Ode time on the ball and they press like mad. Be an interesting game though.
Oh and I have to give Arteta his credit. Since December, I am slowly being convinced that he is the right man. I didn’t doubt his ability to have us organized and better defensively. But I doubted whether he would have us playing better attacking football. We didn’t show any attacking football consistently until December this year. We are slowly getting there. And he is proving he has a lot more to give. Pedro is never letting us hear the end of it. And fairly so.
Tony: If you ain’t bigging up your seedy life in Thailand, talking about your son and his golf, rest assured your slagging off Xhaka or some other Arsenal player. All that after a great win.
Fuck off. Seriously,, flounce off to the same place that Kroenkephobe flounced off to
It was about 25 of us in the pub in Limassol, Cyprus. The joy was overflowing, just like the beer! This team will go a long way. It’s destined for greatness! More of the same gooners!
+1 For your post izzo!!!
The pub I was in was rockin’. And this pub is not the one for singing. But sung it did!!!
The Arsenal are on a upward trajectory. There is no denying that.
Great win. Bit shaky in the second part of the first, but Leicester are half decent.
Never really doubted Arteta. Had a bit of a wobble at the start of the season but have never once called for his head.
Sky pundits waxing lyrical about the Arse and our upward trajectory.
Pool will be a different kettle of fish, but… we were well in at Anfield until 60 mins. Let’s hope our new togetherness and home advantage can bring a better result.
Is Salah carrying an injury??
Can’t quite figure out why there are any disputes on this site after our 5th league win in a row.
Ode is press resistant and can get out of situations, he’s a very intelligent footballer. If partey can improve on today’s performance and xhaka not be xhaka I think we can surprise pool.
Arteta is the man for the job and he the players respect him. The morale is high and I haven’t felt so comfortable in a long time. We playing mesmerising football and ode is at the centre of it all.
Berg10kamp, Partey was that good today, to expect him to improve on that is asking too much. It was the sort of performance that we were hoping from him when he was signed.
Same again will be just perfect thanks
No disputes from me. Think most of the fans are united behind the team.. it’s been awhile since I heard Ole’s ringing about the Stadium on the TV with a long passing sequence. and I felt like you… know what … we deserve it… They can’t touch us. Leicester just gave up that last 10 mins they knew they were well beaten. The look on Brenda’s face was priceless. As for wednesday.. I think it’s free roll.. now .. whatever happens happens.. Pool have only lost 2 matches in the PL all season … so it will be difficult but… Read more »
Pool will be tough – but if ever there is a time to play them then it is now. COYG!!
BiG
I can’t either. It seems people want to hate on Arteta regardless. They are not seeing the bigger picture.
.
And that is the one where we are going onwards and upwards!!
Northbanker Liverpool slight favourites, they have an extra days rest, they’re a top team, that’s been together a long time, with a lot of experience, who know exactly what they’re doing. But we’re at home, our home form is good, confidence is high. It won’t be the end of the world if we come up short, this team has shown after our first 3 games, our 3 away losses at the end of November, and after our slump in January, that they have the character to bounce back from disappointment If a few things drop our way though, we’re more… Read more »
That was simply a great all round performance. Not brilliant. Brilliant would have seen us convert a few of those lightning breaks , and Xhaka to have swept a pass past Scrambling Kasper, that would have been Picasso football.. Loved how the boys absorbed that Leicester 1st half resurgence and then suffocated them. Arteta should be proud.
Pool been stuttering to results lately, but we all well aware what they are capable of. I agree Ode and Tomas are the key. Quell their middle pressgang and we’ll make chances.
Young players will be wanting to join soon
Saliba must be running his hands
Go out and get Bellingham in summer.
Dodgy reffing cost us 2 points today
Someone get TR7 on the phone, need to talk about some hot summer takes on MØ
https://twitter.com/rmavids/status/1503083903397113859?s=21
Love all the positive comments chaps!
What a superb day!
RSPC – agree Bellingham would be great. I assume you mean goals not points as no ref could really let us have 5 points from one game!!
Full credit to Laca for that penalty. Great character given his barren spell to score in that way.
Pedro
Odegaard is a dream player, we’re so lucky to have him.
I said when we signed him that he’d go on to be our best signing since Alexis in 2014, and that he had similar level of potential to De Bruyne, David Silva, Cesc
But he’s even better than I thought, he’s an outrageous technician, his ability in tight spaces is Cazorla’esque
What a talent
Steady on Rich, take a cold shower.
I wasn’t Ode’s biggest fan early on but today I thought that he was terrific, my MOTM.
If we can keep up this level and avoid stupid mistakes we can worry ‘Pool on Wednesday.
Andy
You need to take the L on this one.
Rich, happy to be proven wrong 😬
Liverpool will NOT be looking forward to the Grove and that alone speaks volumes about how far this squad and manager have come this year 🙂
Classy, arrogant, effortless and controlled Odegaard’s game since December.
Add to that his energy level, leadership and the perfect weight he puts into the pass. We’ve in our hand fourth potential worlds class player.
Saka, ESR and Odegaard would surely make to world class level, I’ve no doubt. However, I’m afraid Martinelli is dropping behind physically and technically and I hope he makes it.
@Pedro
We are getting this huge massive blank space at the bottom of your web page when browsing with a phone. (It doesn’t happen on a PC though). This occurs on all pages when viewing Le Grove on a phone.
Can you look into this issue please? 😊
Rich, you did call it… and outrageous performance from him today. He is wildly talented.
I am keen to rewatch our performance on MOTD.
I want to rewatch Ødehard again. He was really pulling some strings today attempting to get some action set up.
He really is one for the future.
The Arsenal are back. Even the old “we’re the North Bank, the North Bank, the North Bank Highbury” etc got a rendition I heard. Well done the home fans & the boys out on the pitch. 12 games to go……….but I must go now & leave you coz the footy season starts this Thursday in Oz. Like John Lennon used to say to the other Beatles during the early days of their journey. ‘Where are we goin’, fellas? ‘ To the top, Johnny! 🔝 Now get one over the Scousers this week. Don’t let me down Arsenal. Come on You… Read more »
Time Up
Martinelli is 20, he’s an outrageous talent.
He’s got more rough edges than the others, but that’s to be expected, we picked him up from the 3rd or 4th tier of Brazilian football
I’m in little doubt about his potential though, he’ll develop into a top player over the next 24 months.
Another assist from him today.
Most goal involvements by players 21 and under in the PL this season
Saka 13
Smith Rowe 11
Foden 10
Martinelli 8
Our boys are well ahead in their development
It feels like something exciting is brewing, today is another impressive result against a good Leicester side.
Well done, Mikel, more of the same please.
With the right additions in the summer Arsenal will really lift off.
Gnarley
We kept trying to sing “We’re the North Bank, the North Bank of Highbury …” but there was no response from the Clock End. 🙁
Rich,
With Martinelli all I can see is a robotic player. Part of a machine, lost his imagination under Arteta and no great technic. He’d be a good hard working squad player, nothing more.
Herbs Army
It feels like something exciting is brewing,
The season ticket holder next to me was saying the exact same thing.
I 100% agree. The evolution of the team as we watch is stunning. It’s getting better and better every match. And that slow incremental way where you know the team IS learning is there to see week in week out.
Exciting times ahead.
Now, Michael Olise of place now that’s a player we should be looking at for 30-40 mil.
DB10
It could be huge, maybe big enough to heal the divisions and finally get all the fans uniting on the same side.
Rewatching us on MOTD reminded me of sonething else. Our passing is getting better and better.
I remember 1 phase where we were 1 touch passing each other. It was quite mesmerising to watch.
Some lovely times ahead.
It will be a big test of Arsenal’s maturity on Wednesday.
I would absolutely love to beat Liverpool, but I’d take a point, that too would show progress.
There should be no inferiority complex, especially at home.
Time Up
I have similar concerns regarding Martinelli. I m hoping he’s a late adjuster to the system and a late bloomer or something.
My fear is that he’s not as dynamic and unpredictable as he used to look when he was 18. He also had this grind n hustle in his game that seems to be watered down at the moment..
I think once we upgrade Xhaka , the left side of our attack would click and boom . Right Now Xhaka doesnt have the mobility like SR or Ødegaard , he is the slowest amomg our midfield . Cant play Ome touch passes either .