Inhaaaaaaale… breath out… inhaaaaaale… CuuuuuuuKAAAAAAW… CuuuuuuKAAAAAW… channel that inner eagle you powerful beast. 🦅
Quite simply put, if you are not preparing mentally for this game to the sweet shrieks of eagles, can you call yourself elite?
Categorically, no.
Here is a video so you can prep.
Barclays Premier League Day is here. In a few hours, Arsenal will roll out for a season opener against Crystal Palace.
Patrick Vieira is no mug when it comes to coaching. He’s aged down the Palace squad, he’s brought some Wengerball to the Selhurst Park Turf, and he wants to kick on this season after making some shrewd summer signings. Paddy signs street footballers that entertain, he moves on those fancy Youtube comps we all like, Palace are going to be trouble this season.
… that said, word has it their preseason was a bit of a disaster because they went to Aus and loads of their players were anti-vaxxers. They only took TEN senior players there. So who knows, maybe we’ll be more fit, you can hide anti-vaxxers in the US no problem.
Last time we went to Palace, it was after an international break that Partey and Tierney went to, they promptly picked up injuries during the break and during the game and we were beaten quite badly in the first half. I’m not sure we deserved to lose over the 90, but we did, so there we are.
What is different this time?
Well, we’re still missing both our first-team fullbacks, but this time, we have much more capable back-ups. Ben White will slip in for Tomiyasu, he’s been really impressive there so far, but Zaha is a different ball game. At left back, we’ve got ELITE cover in Zinchenko. A player that knows the league, can play the system better than Tierney, and is more than ready to stake a claim.
Midfield will be Xhaka and Partey, same as last time, except one didn’t go out partey-ing after a World Cup qualification. Cut it however you like, those two together have a great connection, and they’ve been very impressive this preseason. They are extremely brave and I do think the more advanced Xhaka is starting to pay dividends. He’s contributing to the assist tally, he won’t be there all season, but he’s less exposed in more advanced positions, and he’s adding a bit of boldness to his passing. I think we all forget that you are never too old to improve at your craft.
Odegaard will captain and drop in as a #10.
The frontline we’re going with tonight will be very different. Saka will occupy the right, Martinelli will take up the left, and Gabriel Jesus will be playing through the middle.
I cannot tell you how different life is going to be this season. Even if we have a bad game tonight, what you won’t see is a freeze in the frontline. Finally, we have the specificity in every position we need.
We have 5 defenders who can play through a press and pick out Hollywood passes. We mostly had that last season, but if you don’t have runners, what’s the point in having longball specialists.
There’s more chaos in our forward line this season. Gabriel Jesus is a nightmare, he comes deep and he’s problematic, he goes wide and he’s a nightmare, he’s standing still and he can create something, in the box he’s ahead of everyone, this guy has changed the game. Last time we played Palace, we had Lacazette who lacked power, speed, and ability in front of goal.
The biggest shift we have tonight is winnertivity. Two players can make a huge difference on nights like tonight. Zinchenko and Jesus have done it consistently at the highest level. They understand patience, they know how to dig deep, and their experience will inspire the young kids around them.
Johnny made a great point on the Before the Whistle. I’d much rather Palace in the heat of August than on December 27th in the freezing rain.
Ideally, we don’t go a goal down this evening, I’d rather not test our abysmal record of clawing back, but I am less worried about that part of our make-up than I was last season.
Last season was the worst start imaginable, COVID and late business nearly killed this project before it started, this August is the chance to put some points on the board and make amends.
11 points from the next 5 games would be very, very good. 7 points from the next 3 would put us top 4 before the international break. That is where we need to be. I believe we can do it.
Before I leave.
I’m very excited about this season, as fans, we’ve been through a lot. Finally, it feels like there’s a bit of structure at Arsenal, a boatload of ambition, and we seem to have the right people driving the vision.
This season, we have to learn a few lessons from what happened last year:
There will be downs and they will feel very painful.
There will be long runs that will feel like we’re title contenders.
Key is not to get too carried away with the bad or the good times. We’ll be up there at the end of the season, then it’s a roll of the dice who has enough to kick it over the line.
Also… just remember that every team will have down moments.
It is easy to be there for the good times, but as you’ve seen from that documentary, our fanbase is most important to the players when we’re there for the bad times.
The journey is always better than the destination. Enjoy the feeling of being underdogs. Eat up those predictions tables that have us behind Spurs this season. Take names and numbers of the people that doubted The Arsenal.
Right, that’s me done.
We will be ON THE WHISTLE at 10pm BRITISH time this evening.
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I’m not anxious at all
I fully expect an convincing win here today
Everyone is buzzing. Let’s lay a marker down from day 1
Goals from Jesus and Saka from the off
3-0 to the good guys.
Cheers to the new season guys.
I don’t think we need Tielemans
If we go in for another midfielder he has to be top top class
That’s only de Jong, savic or Bellingham.
Here’s to a great season to come.
I actually feel like Palace will struggle this season.
The 2nd season syndrome. The expectations are high and there’ll be no place to hide. Last season most pundits put Viera as the first manager to be sacked but now, the expectation is top 10 and good football.
Link guys
https://m-sports-live.blogspot.com/2022/08/crystal-palace-vs-arsenal-preview.html?m=1
lol that Palace banner.
Looks like primary kids made that up.
Anyone with live streams for the match?
Have no idea why I’m so nervous for a first match…. hahaha Ptsd from last season opener, maybe.
Thanks Benny
Well here we go… Pink kits and all.
Congratulations Pedro and Mrs Pedro on the baby
Welcome all to the new season
Let it be fun
Who wears pink to go to war?
Why not the black kit
Why are we wearing Pink ?!!!! We ve trained in black all summer but we are wearing to our first real battle ?
Pink*
My god
Quality from Jesus
Gabby should have scored
Diss
Real men wear pink
Nout wrong with pink at all
Ohhh man… Marti should have scored. Jesus electric.
Martinelli should be burying that, passing it onto the net
He needs this season
should of upgraded Martinelli with Zaha
What a sitter from Martinelli.
Come on he has to show more killer instinct.
And our man Jesus causing havoc in the Palace defence
Different arsenal
This season
Dominating the ball
Palace can’t get a foot on it
Great Intensity from the start
Let’s keep this pressure up and not many teams will live with it
Did you see that footwork from Marti though… you can’t teach that..
Quality from big bill
Gabi gotta hit the target there wow what a miss
Looking sharp offensively early on
Saliba is bloody quick
Dick head palace fans booing Partey
Palace are just playing kick and run so far. long balls.
Love me some Zinchenko..
Playing with a swagger..love it
Are they seriously booing Partey because he suffered a serious injury last year?
Class act – NOT!
Whoaa.. right off of Xhaka’s noggin… that will wake you up.
How is that not a foul from doucoure
From behind with studs up
Pretty sure hey are boooing Partey for the alleged rape accusations.. probably will be every match this season.
Get in
Get in martinelli
Woooooo
We are up and running
Great corner
COYG! Get in!
Boom!!!! Goall!!!!!!!!!
1 up
Midwest
No doubt
Fierst of fucking many
Marti made up for it.. Zinchenko made that one though.. sweet.
I take it back lol
Get in Marti assist Olex. We’re flying baby!
Pack it up boys, we’re kings!
The away supporters are the best
Let’s go ahead and smash these fools now.
Gabi got his goal! Yeahhhh
Martinelli is now leading the race for the golden boot😎
Nice setpiece and good to see Zinchenko involved in it.
Certainly bamboozled Palace that setpiece
Partey doing so well despite the booing..shows his mental strength
Martinelli is terrorizing them
Deserved that chance to rectify the miss
Arteta process is coooooooking baby
Arteta will have to sub off Jesus by 65-75 minutes
Man plays with some much energy and passion, he needs to be protected.
MARTIBOOMBOOM!!! Never in doubt. Jesus has been a menace. Fantastic movement and pressing. He’s like a Alexis Sanchez REGEN but more complete!
Ben White is better that Soares
Soares would made puddle with Zaha running at him for 25 minutes
The premier league should 100% bring in that 15 second rule
Palace are at it
I do like that Ben White ain’t taken none of Zaha’s nonsense.
The only issue and weakness is Xhaka; as long as he’s in the team anything possible
Zinchenko jumping double front kick clearance
Who ever doubted Martinelli go and watch the Great CR7 at 21 in the EPL and see how much he was struggling.
Zinchenko is so much better than Tierney, even defensively
Come on Ramsdale.. sheesh way too casual.
Ramas and Xhaka strikes again.
And to counter the ones crying about the pink kit… I love it, my soon to be 11 year old daughter thinks it is the coolest football shirt ever and wants one.. The caviar.. She has been unsure until now if she is an fan of Arsenal like her dad or Scum Utd like her mom (no worries.. I left her few years ago, the mom not the girl)
Poor from Arsenal.
Putting themselves under pressure for no reason
Pissing around here lifting the Palace . Jeez
Have we still have Leno!.?
Aaron’s dad Ramsdale senior must have had a heart attack there
I’m not crazy about the pink kit.. but I could learn to love it … if we win ..when we wear it.
Sort your shit out Ramsdale
WTF is wrong with Ramsdale?
His lack of certainty is unsettling his central defenders
Wtf is ramsdale doing
Is it just me or does Ramsdale look so uncomfortable and stressed every time he’s had the ball at his feet tonight. More than usual, his long kicks are really good though
Well tracked back from Saka
Great engine and desire lad
What’s up with Ramsdale??? He should kick it long and out of play if he can’t think straight. I hope we get a capable deputy in before the window closes. Still not convinced of Turner.
Good job Saka.. defended like a champ. Need to pick our intensity back up.
Phew
Accidental handball… I hope.. ok then nothing to see here. lol
Var seems to be in a better place than before..
Amazed we got away with that hand ball in the box
Right back is an issue. Not sure White looks comfortable against wingers there. Maybe forego the midfield and buy a no.2 keeper and right back since Tomi can’t stay fit.
Look at Saliba cleaning up the defense. Ramsdale need to shake the nerves cause it will affect the defenders in front of him.
Magahales is a walking time bomb .. clumsy and oafish
Saliva is the new prince
Ramsdale is a worry he plays great and then brain farts, not good enough
Zinchenko MOTM so far
Top top class
Never gives up possession
Always finds the right pass
What a signing
3 more signings DM/CM, Keeper, and rightback. Please!
Then Ramsdale comes up with a top save
Looking a bit tired right now.. Get to half and regroup.
Good save by the Rammer there!
We starting to lose the second ball
Bloody Rammy.
Saves the day … Ben White is hopeless
Gabriel a bit dopey there and Zinchenko not the best defensively
Ramsdales dad “my fuckin heart”
Decent save from Ramsdale. Run off the mill.
Headed straight at him
Great save
Xhaka just why?
This is why Xhaka needs to fuck off from Arsenal
Xhaka won’t get the academy award for that and a yellow.
Xkaha didn’t ask for a Yellowcard though