ARSENAL’S SEASON BEGINS AT PALACE, WILL IT BANG?

by .

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.

SUBSCRIBE to the Youtube so you get the notifications, or just tune in below.

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Ken

Raptora
“Saliba would have become as good if he had stayed at Arsenal and played all the games he did for OM but here. And we’d be 50m richer.”
Amen brother.

Samesong

People forget that Saliba has come along away since losing both parents. Clearly his head wasn’t right. But still One nob in particular on here was calling him out because he didn’t like is attitude.

Danny

One word:
Saliba

Un

MuppetmanAugust 5, 2022 22:08:12
Raps unhappy…… there’s a surprise

🙌🏻
Well noticed muppetman.

Steveyg87

Lets hope the gaffer saw what was blindingly obvious to everybody, Odegaard is not strong enough to play againt physical PL teams

Dissenter

un
“I can see Saliba moving across and taking the lcb role of Gabriel doesn’t pick it up
He seems to actually move away from crosses’

It’s open season so why shouldn’t you join in to jab at Gabriel

IAT-Robbie

So happy to see Saliba finally playing. Dude just casually puts in Man of the Match performances. Nicolas Jover showing his ingenuity again with a nice set piece routine.

Venga, Dani

saliba motm

Freddie Ljungberg

Saliba is a beast, imagine if we had him last season… I’m sure the last couple of seasons on loan has improved him but he would have still been our best CB 2 years ago if he stayed. No, that’s not hindsight talking. Good to have him back and hope he signs a new contract soon. Can’t really judge too much playing wise on the first game of the season, they’re always chaotic and players are rusty. We were a lot better prepared this time around though and Selhurst isn’t an easy ground to play at. Last time we played… Read more »

Dissenter

Refreshing the team with new players was one of the major areas Wenger showed ineptitude at

How do you go through one simmer window without signing an outfield player in 2015

That was a total disrespect for his players and the fans. Players and fans need new blood to reinvigorate their vigor and excitement.

Ishola70

Steve “U need to consider that Zaha is one of the best wingers in the league no doubt, White did really well IMO. Prefer him there over Tomi, who is no slouch as well” Don’t agree. It wasn’t so much that he wasn’t up to it physically with Zaha it was some of his decision making. He won a ball well in the second half but then went on some blind run and lost the ball in a dangerous place and he also gave the ball away with a bad pass on a second occasion again in a dangerous area.… Read more »

Un

Diss

He dived in and gave palace a shot on goal
Handles the ball from a high bounce and was very lucky it wasn’t given considering he keeps his eye on the ball and leaves his hands out the whole time

And then miskicks a clearance against our post

All this in 61 mins

Come on…..

Nigel Tufnel

Dissenter

You were the first and surely most emphatic about Saliba, way back.

Scouts obviously agreed with you because look at the price we paid for a kid his age.

I said this week I wouldn’t be harsh even if he made mistakes.

I’d say he was man of the match for sure. Looked like a flawless performance.

He’d better extend because I want to say I love him sooner rather than later.

Sending him out to do a post match interview is good way to make him feel involved and valued. I thought that was smart.

Dissenter

What is Pedro wearing in his podcast?
Man looks like a marooned missionary

Ishola70

I think the situation with Zinchenko apart from being technically very good and an asset offensively is that although he can anticipate and nip in to win balls he can struggle against obvious physical opponents at times that being big pace, strength or both.

He has got good anticipation though when he nips in before a player and takes the ball. Just pace and strength from opponents can see him look vulnerable.

WengerEagle

Ayo! 3 points and a clean sheet fuck yeah boi.

Watched the game over here in Barcelona, palatic drunk as a skunk.

Love it. Saliba ❤

Nigel Tufnel

Habesha,

Ødegaard should have come off sooner, also Jesus was exhausted and walking a lot so Eddie should’ve got 20-25 minutes considering everyone’s fitness is not built up to normal level.

Eddie looked really bright when he came on, and I liked the choice of Sambi for Øde.. just would’ve done it sooner. Remember Ødegaard has a habit of fouling in and around our box when trying to help defend. Would be worse with tired legs.

Pierre

Dissenter
“How do you go through one summer window without signing an outfield player in 2015”

And still finish runners up …genius

Dissenter

If the plan is for Lokonga to be a number 8, subbing for Ode
Then we have to absolutely buy a central defender

Dissenter

pIERRE
And still finish runners up …genius”
The season that was there for the taking?

Bob N16

Ode and Xhaka as a combination are not a strong enough . We need more athleticism in there.

bacaryisgod

Seems like the usual boo boys have their favourite targets lined up. Xhaka-was fine but it was a dumb yellow. Guess what? He still played decently and didn’t pick up a 2nd yellow. Isn’t that progress?! Odegaard: Not his best game but he worked hard and showed some nice touches. Needs to be more instinctive and shoot when he has a decent chance but overall he wasn’t dreadful. White: He’s playing out of position and played for a decent amount of time on a yellow. He doesn’t hide and I’m thrilled we have 3 very good CBs (one of whom… Read more »

Pierre

“I’d say he was man of the match for sure. Looked like a flawless performance.”

A very composed performance but for me Anderson was man of the match with the number of pin point 50 yard balls he hit to the palace wide players…

Zacharse

A very good win for the campaign. Selhurst-3 points.

raptora

White did well I thought. Solid game from him vs one of the toughest players to face.

Nigel Tufnel

After Motm Saliba.. I’d say special mention for White in a very tough assignment… good job. Gabriel Magalhaes was solid as usual. There’s a couple here on his case often, but he’s always active and tough. Martinelli and Jesus looked really sharp and started very well. The rest of the team, average performance. I wanted Sambi on earlier for Xhaka because of the yellow, but Granit defended well all the way to the end, including in our box. I’d say we need to keep in mind that our likely top sub choices were all missing. ESR (as usual) Tomiyasu with… Read more »

Markymark

This stuff about players being in trouble is pretty crap .
It’s one match and a win not a humiliating loss.
Any player with a concern is run through the slow mo’s.
They have opportunities to learn. Both fullbacks had issues from raking crosses and a top , top winger away from home.
If White has a mare against a run of the mill offensive player then start demanding his demotion, otherwise accept no one is actually 100% on it all the time.

Le Sauce

William Saliba’s Premier League debut for Arsenal:

100% take-ons completed
100% aerial duels won
94% pass accuracy
49 passes
7 ball recoveries
6 passes into final third
6 clearances
3 duels won
0x dribbled past
0 goals conceded
0 fouls committed

Pierre I would like you to post Anderson’s stats so we can compare and maybe educate us on how he should be man of the match after conceding two goals all because you liked him pinging balls to Zaha. Anderson was good but Saliba was clearly better in all aspects

Le Sauce

When last did an Arsenal defender have zero fouls conceded against Zahas Palace?

Nigel Tufnel

Bacary,

Great summary. I like that Øde took his first shot with his right, then really messed up later when he should’ve poked or smashed it with his right.

He lost the ball right in front of the 6 yard box, trying to switch it to his left to shoot. Poor decision there.

izzo

@Pierre Saliba is MoM. Andersen has those long balls in his locker so nothing to see there. We allowed him to do it all game. Most teams won’t allow him that opportunity.
Odegaard has his uses but this was the wrong type of game to start him in. I’m not sold on him as captain tbh but in less physical games he should start.

Nigel Tufnel

Sauce

Those stats are even better than I thought.

Ken

“And still finish runners up …genius”
Hilarious.
This statement is the equivalence of thumping the ball into the top corner of your own goal from 35 yards and then running away celebrating like you scored against the opposition.

Le Sauce

⭐️ Oleksandr Zinchenko: MotM – Crystal Palace 0-2 @Arsenal

🔐 Key passes – 2
🅰️ Assists – 1
🏹 Shots – 1
💪 Tackles – 5
🧠 Interceptions – 3
☄️ Clearances – 1
🌡️ Rating – 8.10

👏 Not a bad start to life for Arsenal!

#CRYARS

Zinchenko had the best whoscored rating, quite interestingly

Le Sauce

Zinchenko had 5 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 clearance. That doesn’t seem dodgy defensively to me, fatigue played a part in maintaining intensity and it’s never easy against a physical palace side but I like the fact that we can go to palace away and get 3 points with a clean sheet.

Samesong

Nigel Tufnel
April 2, 2022 03:28:21

“IDGAF if i never see him play for my Arsenal. I’m already sick of the noise around him. I don’t even care if we sell him and take a small loss.Everyone who plays for Arsenal in the next few years…. will really want to play for Arsenal. Saliba can go do one…. in France or wherever.”

Oh dear! !!!

Habesha Gooner

Dissenter Yeah fair enough. Lots of games. Un Still with the Gabriel criticisms? He did okay today despite having two new players either side of him. Nigel Eddie was really good when he came on. He pressed well, he recovered the ball a couple of times and he was useful in that second goal. Good cameo. Odegaard was invisible though. He was jogging around. It was the same last season though. As soon as games start coming he gets better. And these aren’t the sort of games he plays well in so far in his Arsenal career. When we have… Read more »

AFC Forever

First day back from holiday & that cheered me up no end. Nobody went to Palace and won by more than one goal last season, that is a fantastic result. The way we dug in and fought for those points was so impressive. Jesus was unplayable in that first half, could have been three up.

Le Sauce

Nigel

The guy was composed all through in a game where Ramsdale, White and especially Gabriel had shaky moments. Palace away is a tough test for any player let alone a debut yet he came out with MOTM performance. That’s quality to me and a good way to start the season all we need is to tie him down especially when £80M is being quoted by Leicester for an inferior player in Fofona

Venga, Dani

Agree Sauce – thought Ramsdale, White, and Gabriel looked shaky. Ramsdale’s miss-hit pass really changed the dynamic and Palace started to get a foothold after that. White lost the ball on 2 occasions needlessly that led to palace having chances. We have to iron those out. I could honestly see White hitting the bench when Tomi returns and honestly our interest in Lisandro Martinez definitely shows Mikel is aware that our LCB options could be improved.

Habesha Gooner

Yeah palace away will be a banana skin for a lot of teams. I am glad we came away with the win. And that was our most difficult game from the first 5 matches. What worried me though is not sustaining a good level when we were on the back foot. It had shades of last season like away to Newcastle. We just couldn’t play our game in the 2nd half. But I am hoping the 5 sub rule will help a lot. And then we can play our game again when we need to do. No one mentioned Ramsdale… Read more »

Nigel Tufnel

Dissenter,

I think Sambi for Ødegaard is mainly because 2nd and 3rd choices were both unavailable, Fabio and ESR. I’m glad Lokonga is still around and was a good choice for that sub, especially defensively. I want to see more of him this season.. (mostly at 8).

Le Sauce

Ben White made 8 successful tackles against Crystal Palace, the most by an Arsenal player in a single Premeir League away game since the 2016/17 season at least.

He’s going to sleep well tonight. 😮‍💨

Zomber

Un, I had to register for coming out due to loving your comment on Gabriel. I am not in love with his abilities at all, , migth think he is more of a liability than the leader of our defence. In my books he leaves next summer for a big fee and Saliba the already great takes his place (next to White, who I value more than Gabriel)

Un

Habesha

He’s gone from sol Campbell, our defensive leader to get did ok. The 2 new players either side were superior. He needs to cut out the mistakes or he’s gonna cost games and get dropped. It’s the only real negative observation I can make.

Why I Gunna

Shoot Odegaard shoot! Oh ffs. Do you reckon we could pay him to shoot, oh wait we do.

Otherwise, that first 35 minutes was incredible

Venga, Dani

Pedro sporting some absolutely mindbending clothes

AFC Forever

Le Sauce

White did a great job on Zaha. Really tough opponent who goes both ways, has pace & can mug anyone off. No PL player draws more bookings. You need composure to play against that little whining cry baby & it’s not easy. Everyone did their job otherwise we’d have lost. Team game.

UTarse

How anyone can say our first goal was a fluke ?
These are the wins we want to see, not be at our best but still come out 2-0 winners. We will play well in games and we should expect to win those but former point we have improved on.

Up The Arse

Pierre

Saliba had a great game no doubt , but in all honesty Andersen was better….he was the main reason that Arsenal were kept on the back foot for the last hour of the game. It was only when Eddie came on that Andersen was nullified, for me jesus, Odegaard and Martinelli failed to do their job by letting Andersen have so much time on the ball …Arteta must take the blame as well by allowing it to happen. Fortunately palace didn’t take advantage of Andersen’s superb passing . I wonder what Rich would have to say about our defenders getting… Read more »

Mr Serge

Pierre we won ffs just enjoy the moment

Topside Northbank

Saliba motm superb Zinchenko very good and Jesus excellent 1st half.

Three debuts all very good, can’t see anyone think anything but they simply improve the team

We sat back ttoo much for me invited pressure Palace turned the screw but bottom line three points first game of the season is the most important thing.

Venga, Dani

Chelsea dropping almost 70 million all in on cucarella. wow. They seem so desperate

Venga, Dani

Pierre: “Saliba had a great game no doubt , but in all honesty Andersen was better….”

I don’t understand you Pierre

Just Another Customer

Pierre is not wrong in his criticism of Arteta not shutting Andersen down at all though.

Markymark

Pierre – nobody in the entire Arsenal hemisphere is stressing that a good Palace player had a good game at home. It’s pretty obvious you never go to live matches , never have been understood that a team can be beaten despite having mom or at least good performances. You don’t get players holding their all sometimes desperately, you don’t get the sudden swing back of play . You don’t get that Vieira through every last chip he had and Arteta held until he void and then swung the change. Basically you don’t get anything after your duopoly of Wenger… Read more »

bacaryisgod

Pedro already posted he was going to dress in honour of Nigeria being the third biggest traffic source for the site. For once, he should get a pass.

Topside Northbank

Agree with others about Anderson had a very good game for Palace but his passing range and balls over the top we should of been pressing on him. Reason we didn’t we simply dropped too deep as a whole team after 30mins.

Odegaard struggled big time and really passed up a golden chance to make the game safe.

I still hope we bring at least one more midfielder in.

Dissenter

Yea, I too was disappointed that Arteta didn’t make any adjustments to shutting down Anderson’s passing to Zaha
That was their only outlet and we just ;et it continue.

Rich

Pierre

We could of put more pressure on Anderson, but I don’t know what game you were watching, because we dealt with the ball over the top really well.

Other than Eze’s chance that he should of put away, and the header in the first half that didn’t really trouble Ramsdale

Palace in spite of their possession, created nothing else that troubled us.

It was a game of fine margins, thankfully we pushed the margins in our favour

Loved the corner for Martinelli’s goal, it was really well worked.

Dissenter

Rich
Lets not pretend that the game was not in the balance for a good chunk of 45-50 minutes.

First game of the season, we will get better but we left enough room for Palace to do damage.

GD4

Not to beat a dead horse but the reason some of us were so bullish about Bissouma was for a game like this.
Dropping Chaka and playing YB next to Partey and it’s game over and good night early. We labored unnecessary because we are not athletic in the middle of the park

AFC Forever

We dealt with the long balls well. For all the possession we let them have in certain areas of the pitch, they never hurt us. It’s not easy to win away, especially at Palace.

It’s weird people are unhappy. It proves it’s not about Arsenal for them, it’s only ever about them. Shit fans and trolls dominate this comment section.

Mr Serge

No Pierre Anderson was not better he just did a lot of long passes
He conceded 2
White was excellent so was saliba the back 4 infect where great and 2 top saves from ramsdale

Say we are top of the league

Ishola70

lol and that’s why folks you should never take whoscored ratings or any stats ratings by heart. Zinchenko was badly exposed twice in the second half and was a bit weak with a challenge in the first half. That’s why he was taken off second half. Looking defensively vulnerable. Of course may have to do with needing more minutes under his belt but the question regarding Zinchenko defensively has been asked before. It’s nothing new. Like him overall but may be problems defensively with him at times. Him being so heavily involved in the setpiece goal though can counter that… Read more »

Dissenter

Mr Serge
I think Pierre is just trying to note that Anderson had a great t game too
He can’t be man of the match because he’s on the losing side
He showed his quality, no lie there.

raptora

AFC Superfan calling LeGrove posters shit fans. There’s nothing new under the sun… is there?

Dissenter

Who’s unhappy here, after we beat a very good team away, on opening day.
Weirdly manufacturing drama to fulfill the grandiose option that you’re the better fan, as usual.

Dissenter

rap
You beat me to it.
Blog was roundly united and positive, until big schlong fan strolls in; see my wang is bigger than yours.
Always about his pompous ass.

Rich

Diss What more do you want? I’ve acknowledged it was a game of fine margins, and we managed to just push the margins in our favour. We didn’t create much, Martinelli should have done better early on, he needs to put that away. We scored off a really nicely worked corner, and then got lucky with a breakaway goal with a deflection, the only other chance we had was when Jesus put Odegaard through, and he certainly should have got his shot away. Palace in spite of their possession late in the first half, and throughout the second, only created… Read more »

Youdaman

Agree with Pierre, Anderson was not closed down
On too many occasions. We got away wish it.
Great win but lots to work on

Ishola70

Everyone has said they are very happy with the win.

But with the superfans there can be no nuance at all. No areas where you can state things may need improving. No views on players that may have not have played well as others.

It’s got to be shangri-la.

AFC Forever

raptora

‘Superfan’

No mate just a normal Arsenal fan who enjoys winning.

You are shit fans mate. Fact. All you do is dig players or the manager out win, lose or draw. Seriously, you think that’s how to behave when the team you ‘claim’ to support gets a fantastic away win? Think about it.

Pierre

Afc forever
It’s not trolling to say that Arsenal shouldn’t allowed the same player to hit 12 passes over the top of our high defensive line.

Surely if a team is playing a high line they don’t give the opposition’s best passer so much time on the ball…suicidal , but we got away with it this time.

It led to us giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, leading to at least one clear cut chance that was well saved by Ramsdale.

Nigel Tufnel

Childish understanding as usual. Of course on the day of a nice away victory, where we usually struggle against Palace ultras…
…….Someone crying for Bissouma…. Again.

It never ends.

We don’t play that way, and if we did, we’ve got Elneny who has even filled in at CB.

You’d have us bring on 5 CBs and 2 keepers with that mentality. What do you even see when you watch football games?

Can you please try listening to tactical podcasts or something?

Dissenter

Rich I don’t disagree that we largely controlled the game against. very good side that plays very well at home. A team that outplayed us for 180 minutes last season. It’s the first game and we expect that we will get better. That’s the spirit of the closing down comments. it’s about how we get better. Ben White was placed under so much pressure in the second half because Anderson get making those diagonal passes to Zaha to set up one-on-ones. I mentioned against the grain of popular comments here during the game that Ben White was having a great… Read more »

azed

In my opinion, Zaha is an obstacle to the progress of Palace. He might be a good dribbler but he slows down the game for Palace, makes the wrong decision most of the time and looks for the foul rather than what’s more effective.

Pierre

Markymark
“.Pierre. It’s pretty obvious you never go to live matches , never have been understood that a team can be beaten despite having mom or at least good performances. You don’t get players holding their all sometimes desperately, you don’t get the sudden swing back of play . You don’t get that Vieira through every last chip he had and Arteta held until he void and then swung the change”

If i could understand a word you said i might be able to respond , i think you win tonight’s award for talking boll.

Nigel Tufnel

And who said fluke goal?

On a designed play from a corner?

Oxymoronic.

Pierre

Talking bollocks

Dissenter

azed
Until Olise returns, Palace need Zaha healthy to stand a chance of winning games.

Mr Serge

. PierreAugust 5, 2022 23:54:20 Markymark “.Pierre. It’s pretty obvious you never go to live matches , never have been understood that a team can be beaten despite having mom or at least good performances. You don’t get players holding their all sometimes desperately, you don’t get the sudden swing back of play . You don’t get that Vieira through every last chip he had and Arteta held until he void and then swung the change”If i could understand a word you said i might be able to respond , i think you win tonight’s award for talking boll Lol… Read more »

Mr Serge

Palace are very very strong at home the fact that we had a clean sheet and all 3 debutants had great games is fantastic

I just want saliba to sign da ting now before we all start getting anxious

Fedda

We beat one of our bogey teams. As good as it gets!

Venga, Dani

Mikel Arteta has won 50 league matches with Arsenal after 98 games in charge, making him the second-quickest manager to reach 50 top-flight wins for the Gunners, after Arsene Wenger.

Nigel Tufnel

I’m loving Salibas play for us so far…. If he signs to stay at Arsenal, he’ll be my favorite player and I’ll be posting heart emojis. I’m still on record for that… I’ve said for a while now… I’m gonna do a giant hypocritical 180 ..shamefully..if he commits. If he doesn’t, he’s a dick and I’m not gonna blame Arsenal either. He can fuck off to PSG. Until that moment, he’s gonna get a fair shake from me on performances, and I’m not looking to amplify any mistakes that may come. My motm today. Keep playing great, and commit to… Read more »

Venga, Dani

If Willy Saliba sings Im getting his name on my jersey

Nigel Tufnel

Tweet….daily cannon

Palace fouls 11. Cards 0
Arsenal fouls 6. Cards 2

So as it was, it shall forever be.

Venga, Dani

White definitely earned his yellow but if Xhaka’s is a yellow than Palace needed 2 more yellows as well. FFS

Rich

Nigel

One rule for Xhaka, and another rule for everyone else.

Can’t complain about White + Xhaka’s yellows, but certainly some double standards on display.

MidwestGun

I thought the refereeing was pretty fair overall to be honest. …Anthony Taylor can be a decent referee. Also, those stats are wrong.. Palace got a yellow card.

MidwestGun

Another referee gives Palace 2 pks for handball.

Nigel Tufnel

Yeah Midwest now I think I remember they got a yellow!

That makes a difference to me, not as lopsided.

Xhakas was deserved because I hate diving, but I feel like nobody else gets called for that since Suarez left England.

MidwestGun

I mean I’ll call referees out if I think they are biased.. but I can see why Taylor made the decisions he did.. I thought Eze was diving as well for them.. not to mention Zaha easily goes down…. but Xhaka kind of forced him to make that yellow card call because he was beyond the last defender when he took a dive. Anyhow.. overall like I said …. Ive seen worse especially on the road.

China1

Well before the game I said the following wishes

3 points by hook or crook
A Jesus goal to maintain preseason form
Saliba to start 90 mins and a clean sheet

2.5 out of three is more than enough. Jesus didn’t score but was still good. Everything else came true

It’s now well over 300 minutes of football for Saliba without him knowing what it feels like to concede a goal at this club. Long may that continue.

Southern Slide Tackle

3 massive points! Not a peak Arsenal performance but I think some are under appreciating how massive this away win can be for the season. Realistically, the momentum from this game can lead us to 10-12 points out of the next 4 games. It gives the organization and players the belief that the preseason results are more truth than fiction.

China1

Look there will be lots of valid comments about how to improve but before the game would any of us have taken that? I 100% would. I think the opening game for us has a little extra significance because 1) we tanked the start last season and 2) we’ve had such a good preseason that to drop points would’ve generated a lot of noise, ‘same old arsenal being soft when it counts’ or whatever. We already had a lot of pundits talking shit about us these last few days. 3 points and a clean sheet. Savor it. The pundits can… Read more »

Pedro

Massive win lads. Hardest game until United, and it’s harder to go to Palace than Old Trafford.

I AM ELATED!

Pedro

Middy, felt like we got away with some bad handball moments!

Pedro

This blog is very pleasant when we do well!