Fresh off the PL calamity of Leicester being let off for blatant PSR breaches due to a very blatant loophole, today Chelsea are let off and cleared by the PL because the PL considers Chelsea effectively selling its hotels to ITSELF for 75m. The specific loophole was that Chelsea FC sold their hotels to the holding company that owns the club.
The PL cleared this as acceptable
I’m sorry but the PL is fucking pathetic. When they drafted these PSR rules were they scribbled on the back of a fag packet in 5 minutes by a random guy down the pub?
HOW can they have not factored in either relegation or holding company sales as loopholes in advance? This is so, so pathetic. Every one of the PL’s lawyers should be sacked
Safe to say we can consider city’s 115 charges as case closed because there’s NO WAY IN HELL they won’t run rings around this silly bunch of fools. Their PSR rule design and enforcement is starting to make PGMOL look competent, Jesus H Christ….
Our midfield discussion could be very different if, like almost all previous occasions, Partey returns crooked after interhull. How could Partey not consider dropping his NT commitment knowing how his last couple of seasons went? He talked about fighting etc but from sick bay? Fingers crossed...
So Leicester have escaped punishment for breaching PSR due to an extremely dumb technicality due to very poorly written rules
This gives me very little confidence that the PL can get even the basics right and will probably have rings run around them by city’s lawyers as well based on god knows what other loopholes they will have left in there
Leicester escaped because they got relegated and were outside the PL’s jurisdiction for a year and there was a 2 week period whereby they ‘might’ have made enough sales to have avoided breaking the rules. Pretty astounding that a hearing is coming down to what Leicester ‘might’ have done rather than a factual analysis of what *did* happen.
Can the PL get anything right?
How is it possible that when writing these rules they never factored in any concept of relegation scenarios? Apparently they thought only perennial top half of the table teams would ever breach PSR? How very very dumb. It mostly been bottom half teams getting punished so far…
Between the abject quality of officiating in the PL, the frankly pathetic way the city charges have been handled (bundling them all together and taking years to review rather than doing it in small batches to deliver decisions more quickly) and now with this, the PL demonstrates time and time again that it’s not fit for purpose in spite of how monetarily valuable its product is.
City are going to get off those charge’s precisely because they are dated and there are just too many of them.
From the outset, I wrote that the premier league strategy was to overwhelm city with so many charges to create a leverage that will ensure in a plea deal.
Unfortunately and rather predictably, city will contest every one of them with a tooth pick and use that large volume to protract the process until they get a loophole. They will find something because top lawyers always find something.
As a matter of fact my sentiment is that the League authorities don't want Arsenal to win the title otherwise they've have done so last season or the season before baring crucial 'deliberate' controversial refereeing decisions made against Arsenal. Somebody somewhere is definitely behind the broad day light robbery off Arsenal this couple of seasons.
Last Saturday's robbery was deliberate, it's part of the game plan to deny Arsenal their first EPL trophy in two decades!
Arsenal have already been robbed of two points and this is enough to cost you the title.
There's so much corruption inside the EPL and this is sad given the league is adjudged the best in the world.
It might be weird to some but I think we should be playing Zincehnko in midfield vs Atalanta with Rice at 6. The NLD will be too much for Zinny. But I think he can handle a game at LCM. Pep has played him there numerous times and he also has played there a lot for Ukraine.
NLD has to be a double pivot with Jorginho and Partey with attacking fullbacks for me. I would play Calafiori at LB and use him to hold the width while the LW comes inside and the 2CMs in Partey and Jorginho stay behind. White will join the 2 CBs to get the 325. That is the best option with the personnel we have.
I agree that that is where Zinchy belongs but I don’t know why Arteta continues to persist with him at a position that simply highlights his weaknesses and exposes him to abuse and ridicule. It’s almost as stupid as playing Partey at right back! I don’t want Jorginho anywhere on the field for the NLD! Sorry the man is a liability and will cause Partey’s fragile lower body to crumble trying to carry Jorgi on his back.
Nah I’d sooner play Trossard as a false nine and move Havertz back to the 8
Without sounding hysterical by saying it’s an anti Arsenal conspiracy, it’s actually an anti Arsenal conspiracy. I don’t understand why the club are just taking it and not raising hell. Incompetence, double standards, corruption or whatever. None of them are a good look for the PL product.
Well, we're going to need to buy a midfielder (even if its for only one season) once Partey drops, and with Merino out long-term, who is a freebie that's better we can get? I didn't know Jorginho can play 3 games a week. After Rice's suspension and the likely injury to Partey, its a midfield trio of Ode, Rice, and Jorginho playing 3 games a week.
Who is coming into that midfield then? Havertz is who we need up top or playing Trossard in Ode's position. We're getting overrun with that setup. I'm giving our transfer window a 6/10. Squad building after shifting out the unwanted has been complacent given our history of crocks and freak injuries.
He did the best thing he could. He is on loan and we don't need to pile pressure on him. At least with Eddie and ESR, we showed faith in academy players. We don't need the discussions about whether he deserves those numbers. Now there won't be any.
But I was thinking more along the lines of if Atletico Bilbao are out of the Europa League by January..
That we could keep the No10 ready for Nico Williams to inherit.
I like Trossard, I’m certainly not desperate to get rid of him, he’s an incredibly versatile and productive forward, who I’d expect to contribute with excellent end-product.
But if Saudi wants to give us £40 million for a 30yr old who rarely completes 90 minutes in January, and we can put that money towards signing Nico Williams?..
That’s the type of squad adjustment I could easily be talked into.
Fans can’t complain about Arsenal being shit sellers, then also refuse to understand the concept of knowing when to let go.
Obviously the conditions and timing of any sale needs to be right, but if we don’t sell players while they still hold value..
Then trying to sell them once they start declining, becomes incredibly difficult.
For those who are a bit slow at the back, this isn’t anti-Trossard, or that I don’t like or rate him… But under the right conditions and the type of replace we could secure, I wouldn’t consider him completely untouchable either.
I am like you. I like Trossard and he is clutch. But I would sell if a really good offer came in for him and we can replace him with a player who can do what he does and be a dribbling threat with pace.
But the caliber of the replacement should be really high. If not the money is useless to us. If it is a longterm solution, I don't mind cashing in. But, I would wait till the end of the season and sell next summer In any case.
You're dreaming if you think Nico is leaving Bilbao in January. It just won't happen. You don't sell a Trossard midseason. Dumb move, dick move, only Rich would do that to replace him with Conor Gallagher or his latest Gordon. Weirdo.
Also, building a squad does not equate to stripping it of it's best and most potent players because they are 30. There's more value in selling underperforming and younger assets. If Martinelli is to go with Nico coming in, insert a buyback clause, first refusal to reduce the hurt some fans might feel.
You're obsessed. Trossard is untouchable. If Nico comes, it's an addition and not a subtraction. Might as well sell Martinelli then. I know you're itching to drop that one. His form has fallen off a cliff and doesn't seem to be progressing. Martinelli off the bench for Nico does not produce what Trossard does.
As many have said previously, if Martinelli had the support Saka has with Odegaard, White, Partey, then he would produce better displays. Our left flank is disfunctional. We had Zinchenko, Tomiyasu and now Timber inverting. Where is the full back on the overlap, like we have on the right side? Where is the support from midfield- Rice can't do that as a number 8 too well. The one time Martinelli flourished was when we had Jesus interchanging and even Xhaka played his part. See what Saka would do without the support he's had for three seasons. Martinelli is a gem as we saw two seasons ago. He runs at defenders at his best- Trossard doesn't, and is best as a sub, when he comes on and plays off the striker. Calling for Martinelli to be sold is pathetic.
Its not about support; its about decision-making and footballing brain. Saka delivers week in and week out because he has it in spades. Same with Trossard despite not having the durability or endless speed. You want Nico Williams like everyone else. Guess who is getting sacrificed based on performances? ESR despite being a crock; look how that turned out. Martinelli is not much of a crock, but there's a clear lack of progression there.
Martinelli is a much better defender than both Saka and Trossard. Like having a second LB. His tracking back is why he starts-- even when Tross is scoring.
When I argued that Ødegaard would go onto be our best signing since Alexis…
You flat couldn’t get your head around that, and were incredibly dismissive.
When I started arguing 21 months ago we should try to dump Partey…
You couldn’t get your tiny little mind around that…
Then you pivoted to my position.. Then you pivoted back… Now you’re back to worrying about him away on international duty again.
I’m no mathematician… But that’s 4 positions, and 3 U-Turn’s..
Who knows what you position will be this time next week?…
You haven’t got a clue what you think, you’re incapable of anything resembling a coherent or consistent line of thinking.
I like Trossard… I think he’ll deliver big and decisive moments for us this season.
But under specific circumstances, like a fee that’s significantly above market rate…
And we can secure a younger player of a high caliber, with a high ceiling in January..
Then yes I’d be open to a sale…
Past performances are no guarantee of future results… Trossard is a very important player, but rarely completes 90 minutes.
I’m happy for him to stay… But in the unlikely event that a big bid came for Trossard, at the same time a top winger like Williams or Gordon becomes available..
That’s a trade I’d make.. Particularly in a FFP world.
You clearly don't rate Trossard or recognize his importance. Without him, we didn't come second last season. Without him, we don't win the league this season, but who knows about that if Sterling actually keeps his word about us about to see the best of him? I never at any point said anything about Odegaard. In regards to Partey, he is a crock, so losing him, I honestly did not care because whats the point when he can't string games together? The big difference to Trossard, who is not a crock, is an actual game changer in the box and makes no difference that he can't play 90 minutes, but when he does come on, he delivers when you need an ice cold finisher. You're not replacing that with buying rubbish "robust" Conor Gallagher types. You try to act like you know how to play football manager, but I'm sure all your so-called teams built in that game stink because you sell all your best players. LOL
Odegaard is not our best signing since Alexis. He's not helped us win anything. Struggles to complete 90 mins and some people could argue about his limitations.
Haha I just read somwhere that Rabiot could be gotten. A free agent of something like that. TO be honest, he would make a great cover for Merino being out, TP eventually will be out etc. If his wages can be kept reasonable, why not
I mean, at this point I would take him. Partey going to play for Ghana and likely getting injured there or the moment he returns to training. I've seen this film way too many times. I'll be surprised if he remains fit (a miracle). Might as well start praying to all the gods, including the football god, whoever the hell it is.
They will be as careful as we are with him. Arsenal will brief them ahead of time.
They have a very scoring cast of defenders; Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
He’ll probably get subbed into one of the two games.
Fresh off the PL calamity of Leicester being let off for blatant PSR breaches due to a very blatant loophole, today Chelsea are let off and cleared by the PL because the PL considers Chelsea effectively selling its hotels to ITSELF for 75m. The specific loophole was that Chelsea FC sold their hotels to the holding company that owns the club.
The PL cleared this as acceptable
I’m sorry but the PL is fucking pathetic. When they drafted these PSR rules were they scribbled on the back of a fag packet in 5 minutes by a random guy down the pub?
HOW can they have not factored in either relegation or holding company sales as loopholes in advance? This is so, so pathetic. Every one of the PL’s lawyers should be sacked
Safe to say we can consider city’s 115 charges as case closed because there’s NO WAY IN HELL they won’t run rings around this silly bunch of fools. Their PSR rule design and enforcement is starting to make PGMOL look competent, Jesus H Christ….
Our midfield discussion could be very different if, like almost all previous occasions, Partey returns crooked after interhull. How could Partey not consider dropping his NT commitment knowing how his last couple of seasons went? He talked about fighting etc but from sick bay? Fingers crossed...
So Leicester have escaped punishment for breaching PSR due to an extremely dumb technicality due to very poorly written rules
This gives me very little confidence that the PL can get even the basics right and will probably have rings run around them by city’s lawyers as well based on god knows what other loopholes they will have left in there
Leicester escaped because they got relegated and were outside the PL’s jurisdiction for a year and there was a 2 week period whereby they ‘might’ have made enough sales to have avoided breaking the rules. Pretty astounding that a hearing is coming down to what Leicester ‘might’ have done rather than a factual analysis of what *did* happen.
Can the PL get anything right?
How is it possible that when writing these rules they never factored in any concept of relegation scenarios? Apparently they thought only perennial top half of the table teams would ever breach PSR? How very very dumb. It mostly been bottom half teams getting punished so far…
Between the abject quality of officiating in the PL, the frankly pathetic way the city charges have been handled (bundling them all together and taking years to review rather than doing it in small batches to deliver decisions more quickly) and now with this, the PL demonstrates time and time again that it’s not fit for purpose in spite of how monetarily valuable its product is.
City are going to get off those charge’s precisely because they are dated and there are just too many of them.
From the outset, I wrote that the premier league strategy was to overwhelm city with so many charges to create a leverage that will ensure in a plea deal.
Unfortunately and rather predictably, city will contest every one of them with a tooth pick and use that large volume to protract the process until they get a loophole. They will find something because top lawyers always find something.
As a matter of fact my sentiment is that the League authorities don't want Arsenal to win the title otherwise they've have done so last season or the season before baring crucial 'deliberate' controversial refereeing decisions made against Arsenal. Somebody somewhere is definitely behind the broad day light robbery off Arsenal this couple of seasons.
Last Saturday's robbery was deliberate, it's part of the game plan to deny Arsenal their first EPL trophy in two decades!
Arsenal have already been robbed of two points and this is enough to cost you the title.
There's so much corruption inside the EPL and this is sad given the league is adjudged the best in the world.
New post:
It might be weird to some but I think we should be playing Zincehnko in midfield vs Atalanta with Rice at 6. The NLD will be too much for Zinny. But I think he can handle a game at LCM. Pep has played him there numerous times and he also has played there a lot for Ukraine.
NLD has to be a double pivot with Jorginho and Partey with attacking fullbacks for me. I would play Calafiori at LB and use him to hold the width while the LW comes inside and the 2CMs in Partey and Jorginho stay behind. White will join the 2 CBs to get the 325. That is the best option with the personnel we have.
I agree that that is where Zinchy belongs but I don’t know why Arteta continues to persist with him at a position that simply highlights his weaknesses and exposes him to abuse and ridicule. It’s almost as stupid as playing Partey at right back! I don’t want Jorginho anywhere on the field for the NLD! Sorry the man is a liability and will cause Partey’s fragile lower body to crumble trying to carry Jorgi on his back.
Nah I’d sooner play Trossard as a false nine and move Havertz back to the 8
Arteta would never play him there. Its just one of those things we can dream of that will never happen, like Arteta actually rotating. LOL
https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1830549624702013639
https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1439909920011395073
Absolute bollocks.& they roll out Dermot Gallagher a PGMOL stooge for an opinion.Youve got to be f** ng kidding me.
This is just terrible refereeing. That second video is a straight red card. No common sense being applied here either.
So everyone can just scythe a player down and get away with it apparently.
Can anyone explain the difference?..
Yep, one got the decision correct, one didn't
Which decision was right?..
In all honesty, the Rice one.
The other applied "common sense" which should be eradicated from the game.
Without sounding hysterical by saying it’s an anti Arsenal conspiracy, it’s actually an anti Arsenal conspiracy. I don’t understand why the club are just taking it and not raising hell. Incompetence, double standards, corruption or whatever. None of them are a good look for the PL product.
Apparently the club released the video with reverse angle...but agreed not doing enough
Merino will be back at some point
Zinchenko can play a hybrid role
We now have players that can invert from two sides
Our strengths lie in the system
Sterling is going to be a starter for us, on a rotational,basis.
Trossard, despite his production hasn’t skated an undeniable claim to start
Martinelli is in poor form
I expect him to start the NLD and again at city.
There has to be a good chance both Trossard + Martinelli start the NLD.
I get the feeling Arteta doesn’t want a midfield trio without one of Rice, Merino, or Havertz in it.
As we’re far too lightweight, I’d rather we didn’t have to move Havertz back, but with Rice + Merino out, I suspect that’ll be the move.
Trossard at false 9, Martinelli left, Partey, Ødegaard, Havertz in midfield.
Yeah I think havertz will be used at CM vs spurs and I also think that’s the right decision.
Why’s Rabiot still available?
Football circles are small, people know people and they talk and chat.
I bet the reports about Rabiot behind closed doors isn’t flattering.
...his momager...
Well, we're going to need to buy a midfielder (even if its for only one season) once Partey drops, and with Merino out long-term, who is a freebie that's better we can get? I didn't know Jorginho can play 3 games a week. After Rice's suspension and the likely injury to Partey, its a midfield trio of Ode, Rice, and Jorginho playing 3 games a week.
id still take him. That size and left footed. Aside his momma, he can be a squadie
I think it’s better to wait till January and buy/set up a summer buy for a younger version of Partey.
Who is coming into that midfield then? Havertz is who we need up top or playing Trossard in Ode's position. We're getting overrun with that setup. I'm giving our transfer window a 6/10. Squad building after shifting out the unwanted has been complacent given our history of crocks and freak injuries.
Sterling takes the No30.
No10 + No14 both still available.
He did the best thing he could. He is on loan and we don't need to pile pressure on him. At least with Eddie and ESR, we showed faith in academy players. We don't need the discussions about whether he deserves those numbers. Now there won't be any.
Maybe I’m in football manager mode…
But I was thinking more along the lines of if Atletico Bilbao are out of the Europa League by January..
That we could keep the No10 ready for Nico Williams to inherit.
I like Trossard, I’m certainly not desperate to get rid of him, he’s an incredibly versatile and productive forward, who I’d expect to contribute with excellent end-product.
But if Saudi wants to give us £40 million for a 30yr old who rarely completes 90 minutes in January, and we can put that money towards signing Nico Williams?..
That’s the type of squad adjustment I could easily be talked into.
Fans can’t complain about Arsenal being shit sellers, then also refuse to understand the concept of knowing when to let go.
Obviously the conditions and timing of any sale needs to be right, but if we don’t sell players while they still hold value..
Then trying to sell them once they start declining, becomes incredibly difficult.
For those who are a bit slow at the back, this isn’t anti-Trossard, or that I don’t like or rate him… But under the right conditions and the type of replace we could secure, I wouldn’t consider him completely untouchable either.
I am like you. I like Trossard and he is clutch. But I would sell if a really good offer came in for him and we can replace him with a player who can do what he does and be a dribbling threat with pace.
But the caliber of the replacement should be really high. If not the money is useless to us. If it is a longterm solution, I don't mind cashing in. But, I would wait till the end of the season and sell next summer In any case.
You're dreaming if you think Nico is leaving Bilbao in January. It just won't happen. You don't sell a Trossard midseason. Dumb move, dick move, only Rich would do that to replace him with Conor Gallagher or his latest Gordon. Weirdo.
Also, building a squad does not equate to stripping it of it's best and most potent players because they are 30. There's more value in selling underperforming and younger assets. If Martinelli is to go with Nico coming in, insert a buyback clause, first refusal to reduce the hurt some fans might feel.
You're obsessed. Trossard is untouchable. If Nico comes, it's an addition and not a subtraction. Might as well sell Martinelli then. I know you're itching to drop that one. His form has fallen off a cliff and doesn't seem to be progressing. Martinelli off the bench for Nico does not produce what Trossard does.
As many have said previously, if Martinelli had the support Saka has with Odegaard, White, Partey, then he would produce better displays. Our left flank is disfunctional. We had Zinchenko, Tomiyasu and now Timber inverting. Where is the full back on the overlap, like we have on the right side? Where is the support from midfield- Rice can't do that as a number 8 too well. The one time Martinelli flourished was when we had Jesus interchanging and even Xhaka played his part. See what Saka would do without the support he's had for three seasons. Martinelli is a gem as we saw two seasons ago. He runs at defenders at his best- Trossard doesn't, and is best as a sub, when he comes on and plays off the striker. Calling for Martinelli to be sold is pathetic.
Its not about support; its about decision-making and footballing brain. Saka delivers week in and week out because he has it in spades. Same with Trossard despite not having the durability or endless speed. You want Nico Williams like everyone else. Guess who is getting sacrificed based on performances? ESR despite being a crock; look how that turned out. Martinelli is not much of a crock, but there's a clear lack of progression there.
Martinelli is a much better defender than both Saka and Trossard. Like having a second LB. His tracking back is why he starts-- even when Tross is scoring.
Izzo
When I argued that Ødegaard would go onto be our best signing since Alexis…
You flat couldn’t get your head around that, and were incredibly dismissive.
When I started arguing 21 months ago we should try to dump Partey…
You couldn’t get your tiny little mind around that…
Then you pivoted to my position.. Then you pivoted back… Now you’re back to worrying about him away on international duty again.
I’m no mathematician… But that’s 4 positions, and 3 U-Turn’s..
Who knows what you position will be this time next week?…
You haven’t got a clue what you think, you’re incapable of anything resembling a coherent or consistent line of thinking.
I like Trossard… I think he’ll deliver big and decisive moments for us this season.
But under specific circumstances, like a fee that’s significantly above market rate…
And we can secure a younger player of a high caliber, with a high ceiling in January..
Then yes I’d be open to a sale…
Past performances are no guarantee of future results… Trossard is a very important player, but rarely completes 90 minutes.
I’m happy for him to stay… But in the unlikely event that a big bid came for Trossard, at the same time a top winger like Williams or Gordon becomes available..
That’s a trade I’d make.. Particularly in a FFP world.
You clearly don't rate Trossard or recognize his importance. Without him, we didn't come second last season. Without him, we don't win the league this season, but who knows about that if Sterling actually keeps his word about us about to see the best of him? I never at any point said anything about Odegaard. In regards to Partey, he is a crock, so losing him, I honestly did not care because whats the point when he can't string games together? The big difference to Trossard, who is not a crock, is an actual game changer in the box and makes no difference that he can't play 90 minutes, but when he does come on, he delivers when you need an ice cold finisher. You're not replacing that with buying rubbish "robust" Conor Gallagher types. You try to act like you know how to play football manager, but I'm sure all your so-called teams built in that game stink because you sell all your best players. LOL
Izzo
You haven’t got a clue what you think.
You’ve started your post with:
“You clearly don't rate Trossard or recognize his importance”
If that’s your conclusion from reading my post?….
Then you need to reread my reasoning, because I clearly rate him, and think he’ll play a big part this season.
Just under the right circumstances, I’d be open to an exit.. Without being desperate to let him go.
That reasoning will likely be beyond your mental comprehension, but that doesn’t surprise me.
Izzo
You have got a clue what you think.
You’ve started your post with:
“You clearly don't rate Trossard or recognize his importance”
If that’s your conclusion from reading my post?….
Then you need to reread my reasoning.
Odegaard is not our best signing since Alexis. He's not helped us win anything. Struggles to complete 90 mins and some people could argue about his limitations.
Saliba has been our best signing since Alexis.
Ødegaard doesn’t struggle to complete 90 minutes.
At least get your facts straight.
Martinelli should be sold if he cannot cut the mustard
LOL, look, he knows the significance of both numbers, so he did the right thing. He's only here for the season, then its bye-bye.
The likes of Spurs, Chelsea and Newcastle should buy Partey, Jesus or Zinchenko from us. These players would get them top 4.
Haha I just read somwhere that Rabiot could be gotten. A free agent of something like that. TO be honest, he would make a great cover for Merino being out, TP eventually will be out etc. If his wages can be kept reasonable, why not
I mean, at this point I would take him. Partey going to play for Ghana and likely getting injured there or the moment he returns to training. I've seen this film way too many times. I'll be surprised if he remains fit (a miracle). Might as well start praying to all the gods, including the football god, whoever the hell it is.
Watch THE GOAL WE CONCEDED he goes with the wrong foot yet again
So Gabrielle cost us 2 points and our new Mikel for 2 months.....................
2 Points? How?
Timber pictured training with the Dutch squad.
They’re home to Bosnia on Saturday, then home to Germany on Tuesday, hopefully they’re sensible with his game time
They will be as careful as we are with him. Arsenal will brief them ahead of time.
They have a very scoring cast of defenders; Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
He’ll probably get subbed into one of the two games.