Will never understand why the UK based fans listen on the regular to anything the likes of Neville or Carragher have to say about Arsenal.
And you can throw Keane in with them too.
Keane and Neville both from the same United/Arsenal rivalry era which was pure hatred , both former failed managers who surely must look at what Arteta has done and feel some level of jealousy.
Carragher, if you can gets past his accent, has a heavy Liverpool bias every time both clubs are mentioned in any sort of comparison or controversy.
Not like they offer any real insightful info or analysis either.
The problem with all the toxic positivity fans is that when your fantastical expectations that are untethered to reality, aren't fulfilled, you devolve to paranoid conspiracy theories.
There are premier league fan bases in the UK, that can't tell you what PGMOL means but whipped up Arsenal fans have made it their favorite excuse aggregator.
When your (our) club passes through a transfer window where the manager is publicly negotiating with his board (and owners) to get him attackers to cover for two key injuries, they did effing nada.
...but Pee-Gee-Em-oH-Hell shall be blamed for everything that ails Arsenal.
The price we were just quoted for the players we want this transfer period is less than what we will be quoted in the summer when there will definitely be more competition for the player????
That's a possibility but with Williams, Sesko and Zubimendi, the feeling is that we've been keen for a while and put in the ground work and that might work in our favour in the summer.
The players and their clubs didn't want to sell mid season so we would have had to step up to force the issue in January for those players who were willing to leave then.
We would have had to pay way over the odds for say, Watkins and if we still wanted him in the summer he'd potentially be cheaper.
once the squad is established, (and the cost is negotiated and line itemed out) it will just be a matter of maintaining the squad by rotating new players in for twilight'd players moving out.... wether through our academy or someone elses...
Despite what the Arteta surrogates tell you there was a significant opportunity likely missed this season thanks to poor planning and execution mostly last summer and this winter but you can kinda forgive them given no one really of note moved this January... except for Kvaratskhelia who would have been perfect but he's not Nico Williams (he's just cheaper and a bit better).
But can't do anything about it now have to mosy on and give it a go nonetheless. Just remember these people now who sell you on the future under Arteta are the biggest hypocrites and were the absolute worst moaners and said/allowed some of the most vile shit under Wenger and Emery.
- Arsenal are behind because of injuries to key players + PGMOL
- Man City are behind because of injuries + too much success, less desire, aging players (KDB, Gundo, Walker even Bernardo, Kovacic, Stones, Ederson, Ake are over 30, Akanji, Grealish will turn 30 in a few months, Rodri will be 29 this summer)
- Liverpool are ahead because no injuries to main attacking players and Salah is having an all timer season
There wasn't much between the three teams last season either.
This one, add the -8 points we've unjustly lost and we would be ahead of Pool even if Pool win their game in hand.
You do know that proper squad planning can help mitigate the injuries. For example we've needed a proper striker and arguably another winger better than Sterling who can actually help with rotation and keeping players fit. Had we got said players in and actually rotated at times we probably wouldn't be so hard hit with injuries...which we're not btw there's a table about injuries and we're like bottom 8 or something. Certainly the Saka injury was avoidable.
You do realize that you backed up my point right? You see that surely. Also grow up...watching sports and supporting a team is literally cheering when you're winning and moaning when your not.
I don't even know who Salah's substitute is? Is it that Chiesa dude who is never available? Was it Shaquiri 5 years ago? I actually got no clue cause Mo is always there.
Clubs pumped with petrol money and 115 charges don't have comparable substitutes to their star players.
Of course our squad is a work in progress, it always is especially when we've just returned to the CL last season and we've been balancing the books in the last 2 windows.
As far as moaning, do it when you think the club and the people in it, aren't trying their best and lack ambition and desire to win things. I was there, I was moaning. I can see progress, I appreciate it and I cherish the work done behind the scenes.
The management isn't perfect, Arteta isn't perfect, the players aren't perfect. But collectively, everyone is trying their absolute hardest to deliver us trophies. In 22/23 we didn't go all the way because of an injury to Saliba, last season even if just the disgusting Newcastle goal was chalked off, like it should have, we would have won the league.
We've literally lost the title twice because of fine margins. Everything else was spot on, tough work, a lot of progress and finishing on high points. You're condemning your club/team because we lost 1st place by 2 points (unfairly)?
That little margin is nothing in sports, we just have to keep being this consistent - 3 out 3 seasons challenging. Everyone is trying. You shouldn't demand the title. All you can wish is for the club to try their hardest to win it. And they are trying everything in their powers. Not perfect, but good enough to compete every year and hopefully this summer we add the missing pieces and hope for good luck with injuries and PGMOL.
This is spot on: “…but if you are angry over this window, you either believe we didn't sign a player that was available, you think we should have paid massively over the odds for one, or you'd have been happy with something substandard to get us over the line.”
I’m going to tonight’s game and live in Durham so know a lot of Newcastle fans. Believe me they are a nervous bunch going into this game. If we get an early goal it will certainly be interesting to see how they react.
You penned this article at the right time Pedro because safe to say we’re all riding very damned high from a glorious city thrashing
I still can’t get over how cathartic it was. My soul was happy when MLS scored. A proper GTFO moment.
I was saying all second half I want Ethan to come on. He just needs to get one half chance sighter cutting in from the right. We know what he can do. Lad comes on far too late, gets one sighter, cuts in and BANG. Fuck off. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant
Don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a win that much.
It has left me wondering if the lads will find the same mindset going into the Newcastle game. If we do, we’ll go through.
But a key fact here is that explosive never say die siege mentality Arsenal has showed up only in the last two second halves recently. After the red card vs wolves and after the equalizer vs city. If we are going to win anything this season we need to be starting games that way, not waiting for our backs to be against the wall before we find the bravery and stop giving a fuck.
That’s how we did it second half of last season. We rocked up with that monster mindset and we’re smashing teams (including Newcastle) in a first half blowout. If we play safe and boring margins football in the first half against Newcastle we might be out of the tie by half time. But start fast, score within 20 mins and keep up the pressure and we will absolutely go through
People are comparing what Gary Neville and Carragher said in punditry after the first city-Arsenal fixture and what they said after Sunday.
They didn’t have a problem with Haaland telling Arteta to stay humble and Haaland smashing a ball at the back of Gabriel’s head. They thought it was funny.
Now the same two idiots are acting sanctimoniously after a clean respectful return game with playful banter occurred on Sunday.
I’m so glad I don’t have to listen to Gary Neville week in-week out. I don’t tune in to CBS champions league studio punditry because I can’t understand what Carragher is saying to begin with- all I see in him is the dude who spits at little girls.
The hypocricy of this people is beyond words, what I really don't understand is even usually rational people including friends anything good about Arsenal not to speak a fantastic win brings the worst out of them, why ? I am unable to understand it let alone explain it other than some deep lying insecurity and inferiority complex, what will they become if we were to win something big ?
I'm not crying to get the media paint us in a favorable light. Just don't make us the villains. Antagonizing an 18 year old after the shit Haaland created to begin with, is such an agenda based reaction. Like, you cannot tell me that's alright in any way.
There are some neutral/positive articles at least.
Sean Walsh, goaldotcom Feb 1, 2025 (a day before the game)
A 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, during which Arsenal defended for their lives for the second half following Leandro Trossard's controversial red card, was the latest chapter in this new-age rivalry. Yet arguably the most iconic moment from that game came after the final whistle was sounded by referee Michael Oliver.
Across the pitch walked Mikel Arteta to console his crestfallen players, who were within seconds of securing a first win on City's turf since 2015. He bristled beyond Erling Haaland with a quick shake of the hand, but the Norwegian wasn't up for mere niceties and sportsmanship.
"Stay humble, eh?" television cameras picked up Haaland saying. Eyes steely and power challenged, Arteta spun back in his direction. It felt like a seminal moment and canon event in the Spaniard's story, and this weekend he has the chance for revenge.
Arteta gave up being Guardiola's assistant to take the top job at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and though league success against his mentor eluded him, he did strike a hammer blow in his first season, knocking his former side out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage. Victory in the final against Chelsea ensured Arteta had enough credit in the bank to survive a rocky 2020-21 campaign and beginning to the following 2021-22 season, which included a 5-0 drubbing at the Etihad.
That defeat was the turning point in Arteta's reign. From there, he began weeding out the old guard and building around his young core of players, empowering the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. When City made the trip down to the Emirates a few months later, Arsenal swarmed and overwhelmed the champions with youth and endeavour. Alas, that still wasn't enough, as the visitors secured a late 2-1 victory following a string of questionable refereeing decisions.
The message from the outside world was clear when Arsenal made the journey north to Manchester towards the start of 2024-25 - if you want to pip City to top spot, you'll have to beat them in their back yard. Whereas the stalemate in March 2024 was incredibly dull and without event, the Gunners showed far more ambition this time around. Haaland's opener was quickly cancelled out by a worldie from Riccardo Calafiori, and a header from set-piece extraordinaire Gabriel Magalhaes saw them lead at the Etihad for the first time in nearly a decade.
Trossard's dismissal shortly before half-time changed the game entirely, and so Arsenal resorted to the shut-up-shop approach. It was a John Stones strike away from working, too. The devastation in the travelling camp branched between melancholy and fury, with Haaland's 'humble' line only serving to boil frustration. It may yet turn out to be one more bookmark in Arteta's tale.
Haaland seemingly inflicted a curse upon himself since taunting Arteta, as the football gods have not taken kindly to his victory lap in September. After breaking the deadlock that day, he went on to score only three times in his next 13 Premier League fixtures. Though his form has picked up since and he is second behind only Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot race, the expectation is he will be leapfrogged again by an Alexander Isak or even a Chris Wood.
But like his manager, Haaland has committed his future to City regardless. Pretty much all of his future, in fact, inking a record 10-year contract which will take him well into his thirties. Goodness knows if the planet will even be hospitable at that point, but he'll still be rolled out in a sky-blue shirt anyway.
Nevertheless, it is Haaland, rather than Arteta, who has been humbled. His heel turn hasn't quite gone according to plan and he can expect a hostile reception on Sunday. If Arsenal win, you wouldn't put it past the PA blaring Kendrick Lamar's 'Humble' at full-time.
This game has come at the most opportune of times for Arsenal and the complete inverse for City. It was around this point of last season that the Gunners clicked into gear and got their act together, piecing together a number of high-stakes wins to put themselves back in a position to challenge.
Three more points to hunt down Liverpool would be sweet enough, but the added bonus of tailspinning City again is the added cherry of motivation on top, even if Arteta and Co will publicly downplay such thinking. City, at this point of a rivalry which now boasts a Wikipedia page, are the pretenders of the two, and every player in the Arsenal dressing room scarred by previous burns will want to inflict further damage.
For Haaland, the stakes are equally as high, even if they are differing and were only raised to this level by his own idiocy and ego. The pressure is on him to keep scoring the goals to recover City's season, to block out the Emirates noise, to prove himself a capable leader of a new generation for the next 10 years of his lengthy contract. Sunday could turn metaphorically bloody if he doesn't live up to his own hype.
Sorry for the long article but the writer hit a few homeruns:
- the 5-0 loss to City in August 2021 was a turning point for Arsenal (10-man Arsenal again btw)
- the "Stay humble" mess Haaland created out of thin air, surely played a significant part in our players' mind going for blood and scoring as many goals as we did the other day
- he predicted that Kendrick's song Humble will be played at the Emirates
- "For Haaland, the stakes are equally as high, even if they are differing and were only raised to this level by his own idiocy and ego. The pressure is on him to keep scoring the goals to recover City's season, to block out the Emirates noise, to prove himself a capable leader of a new generation for the next 10 years of his lengthy contract. Sunday could turn metaphorically bloody if he doesn't live up to his own hype."
The man at the centre of this newfound rivalry, the convoluted Oppenheimer of Arsenal's enjoyment today. From minute one, the Gunners sought to antagonise Haaland, and despite a bump in the road with his second-half header, they had their vengeance.
Gabriel Magalhaes, bounced with the ball after City's last-gasp leveller back in September's 2-2 draw, screamed and shouted in the Norwegian's face in the opening exchanges, setting the tone in the battle of wits. Lewis-Skelly's 'zen' celebration mimicked that of Haaland's former self, sliding to the floor and lovingly surrounded by his senior team-mates.
Home supporters revelled in Haaland's misfortune, sticking it to him with several derogatory chants. He tried to save face by pointing to the golden Premier League winners' badge on his sleeve at full-time, but given he stirred the pot with his 'stay humble' comments before, this was a lame get-out. You made this bed, Erling, and now you have to lie in it.
LOSER: Phil Foden
Foden, the worthy winner of last season's Player of the Year awards, hasn't quite looked himself this season. He put a slow start down to fitness and injury issues, particularly off the back of a gruelling and testing Euro 2024 campaign in which he was criticised for his performances.
The 24-year-old has found some form against some of the Premier League's lesser sides, but looked way out of his depth against top-quality opposition here. Lewis-Skelly locked him up with significant ease, and his only assist of the day came for Partey, handing the Ghanaian possession leading to Arsenal's second goal.
Guardiola had clearly seen enough when he hooked Foden just after the hour mark. His title-winning exploits feel like a lifetime ago, and with so much talent coming through, his England spot is certainly up for grabs.
LOSER: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola knew what he was doing when he signed up for City's rebuild by penning a new contract over the autumn. If anyone understood just how deep their issues ran, it was him.
There has to be at least a smidgen of regret in his mind, though. So much surgery is still required on a team dying on their last legs. He is no longer the Premier League's premier manager, the tactician who would hardly misstep on his way to glory.
City's staff and players will look to Guardiola to guide them through this tricky period. The concerning element is he is not a manager who has had to deal with many of those across his successful career. Things might get worse before they get better again.
LOSER: Man City's fear factor
And what of City in general? The only punters who didn't foresee today's demise were pessimistic Arsenal fans who needed a precedent to be set before believing they could really run through their new rivals.
On paper, it was clear the Gunners would rip right through City. A lightweight midfield of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva was overrun, while Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes are evidently not defenders who can be relied upon in a team so susceptible on the break.
The fear factor City have held over England and beyond has dissipated. They are simply another team jostling for European position. It's going to take a lot more than a £150m January transfer window to restore their status.
Lewis-Skelly was already popular among Arsenal fans heading into this game, an impressive addition to Arteta's senior squad having worked his way through the youth ranks. By half-time, he was on top of Phil Foden and locking the reigning Player of the Year down. Another 45 minutes later and he was just about shedding his 'prince' title for that of 'king'.
His goal, deftly cutting inside onto his right foot and firing into the far corner, was itself a thing of beauty, but to twist the knife with another Haaland jab will ensure he's remembered round these parts regardless of how the rest of his career pans out. If Haaland was the antagonist, Lewis-Skelly was his superior protagonist.
Those at the Hale End academy will have been left smiling from ear to ear, with Lewis-Skelly's goal followed by an equally superb effort from close friend Nwaneri. That youth production line just keeps on rolling.
WINNER: Kai Havertz
God loves a trier, and for better or worse, that's certainly what Havertz is. He may not be the most fierce of opponents, have the cleanest of technique or ooze charisma, but you can bet he will fight tooth and nail for this Arsenal side.
For many, that isn't enough to lead the line for a side hoping to win the Premier League and Champions League. That's completely fair, particularly once you factor in how horrendous his miss in the first half was, the confidence clearly drained from his body as he shaped up to roll the ball wide from close range.
But he kept at it. He kept going again and again. Maybe that's because he couldn't sink any lower, but he was rewarded in the end for his efforts. The goal Havertz did score was impressive, and he was suitably serenaded by the home crowd for it.
At least until the summer, Havertz's place in the starting line up should be safe. What he does between now and then will tell us how secure that spot is in the long term.
WINNER: Premier League
It's not a good look for the so-called best league in the world to be dominated by one club. City's downfall is a blessing in disguise for the Premier League, bringing in a new age of competitiveness and a bit more parity.
Arsenal, though still unlikely to pip Liverpool to the title, have at least shown they can move into another gear for the rest of the season. They will try and chomp away at that six-point gap, which could still turn to nine if the Reds win their game in hand.
Meanwhile, this deliciously bitter rivalry with City is what sport needs. Arteta hoped pre-match that his players had put September's fixture behind them, but that wasn't the case and was if anything the opposite. Supporters chanted at Haaland, the stadium DJ played 'Humble' by Kendrick Lamar at full-time and Guardiola was booed down the tunnel.
The Premier League should be world-leading in these aspects. Sunday's showdown was quite the tonic in all regards.
Will never understand why the UK based fans listen on the regular to anything the likes of Neville or Carragher have to say about Arsenal.
And you can throw Keane in with them too.
Keane and Neville both from the same United/Arsenal rivalry era which was pure hatred , both former failed managers who surely must look at what Arteta has done and feel some level of jealousy.
Carragher, if you can gets past his accent, has a heavy Liverpool bias every time both clubs are mentioned in any sort of comparison or controversy.
Not like they offer any real insightful info or analysis either.
Madness to do it to yourself.
The problem with all the toxic positivity fans is that when your fantastical expectations that are untethered to reality, aren't fulfilled, you devolve to paranoid conspiracy theories.
There are premier league fan bases in the UK, that can't tell you what PGMOL means but whipped up Arsenal fans have made it their favorite excuse aggregator.
When your (our) club passes through a transfer window where the manager is publicly negotiating with his board (and owners) to get him attackers to cover for two key injuries, they did effing nada.
...but Pee-Gee-Em-oH-Hell shall be blamed for everything that ails Arsenal.
That picture of Nwaneri and MLS as kids though... pretty darn cute.
Where’s “GUNS OF HACKNEY” loved him told it like it was/is.???
i also believe that PGMOL will cost us more point....Pep and Slot are already working them with their comments
the 8 points lost will be hard to recover from....
i cant help but think... WHAT IF:
The price we were just quoted for the players we want this transfer period is less than what we will be quoted in the summer when there will definitely be more competition for the player????
That's a possibility but with Williams, Sesko and Zubimendi, the feeling is that we've been keen for a while and put in the ground work and that might work in our favour in the summer.
The players and their clubs didn't want to sell mid season so we would have had to step up to force the issue in January for those players who were willing to leave then.
We would have had to pay way over the odds for say, Watkins and if we still wanted him in the summer he'd potentially be cheaper.
Zuba hasnt officially signed has he?
He's under contract.
A player can only sign for a new club if down to last 6 months. There was a story that Jorginho has done just that.
yes im aware of jorginho...not so confident in this zuba story...
i saw Jorginho as one to move this summer anyway....
it would be nice if he's really commitied to us...but i suspect his agent is angling for a better payday
Every agent wants a better payday!
its always negotiated
thats why a lot of people think its better to sign someone as soon as possible.....the cost effectiveness can be argued later
once the squad is established, (and the cost is negotiated and line itemed out) it will just be a matter of maintaining the squad by rotating new players in for twilight'd players moving out.... wether through our academy or someone elses...
Thought it was 70years? lol!Middle of the last century? No?
Despite what the Arteta surrogates tell you there was a significant opportunity likely missed this season thanks to poor planning and execution mostly last summer and this winter but you can kinda forgive them given no one really of note moved this January... except for Kvaratskhelia who would have been perfect but he's not Nico Williams (he's just cheaper and a bit better).
But can't do anything about it now have to mosy on and give it a go nonetheless. Just remember these people now who sell you on the future under Arteta are the biggest hypocrites and were the absolute worst moaners and said/allowed some of the most vile shit under Wenger and Emery.
The way I see it:
- Arsenal are behind because of injuries to key players + PGMOL
- Man City are behind because of injuries + too much success, less desire, aging players (KDB, Gundo, Walker even Bernardo, Kovacic, Stones, Ederson, Ake are over 30, Akanji, Grealish will turn 30 in a few months, Rodri will be 29 this summer)
- Liverpool are ahead because no injuries to main attacking players and Salah is having an all timer season
There wasn't much between the three teams last season either.
This one, add the -8 points we've unjustly lost and we would be ahead of Pool even if Pool win their game in hand.
You do know that proper squad planning can help mitigate the injuries. For example we've needed a proper striker and arguably another winger better than Sterling who can actually help with rotation and keeping players fit. Had we got said players in and actually rotated at times we probably wouldn't be so hard hit with injuries...which we're not btw there's a table about injuries and we're like bottom 8 or something. Certainly the Saka injury was avoidable.
Proper squad planning mitigated the injuries when Virgil got injured and Liverpool finished on 69 points in 20/21.
Proper squad planning mitigated the injuries when Rodri got injured and City are currently 5th.
We've had about 50 injuries this season and we still should be 1st in the table.
But let's moan instead.
You do realize that you backed up my point right? You see that surely. Also grow up...watching sports and supporting a team is literally cheering when you're winning and moaning when your not.
I don't even know who Salah's substitute is? Is it that Chiesa dude who is never available? Was it Shaquiri 5 years ago? I actually got no clue cause Mo is always there.
Clubs pumped with petrol money and 115 charges don't have comparable substitutes to their star players.
Of course our squad is a work in progress, it always is especially when we've just returned to the CL last season and we've been balancing the books in the last 2 windows.
As far as moaning, do it when you think the club and the people in it, aren't trying their best and lack ambition and desire to win things. I was there, I was moaning. I can see progress, I appreciate it and I cherish the work done behind the scenes.
The management isn't perfect, Arteta isn't perfect, the players aren't perfect. But collectively, everyone is trying their absolute hardest to deliver us trophies. In 22/23 we didn't go all the way because of an injury to Saliba, last season even if just the disgusting Newcastle goal was chalked off, like it should have, we would have won the league.
We've literally lost the title twice because of fine margins. Everything else was spot on, tough work, a lot of progress and finishing on high points. You're condemning your club/team because we lost 1st place by 2 points (unfairly)?
That little margin is nothing in sports, we just have to keep being this consistent - 3 out 3 seasons challenging. Everyone is trying. You shouldn't demand the title. All you can wish is for the club to try their hardest to win it. And they are trying everything in their powers. Not perfect, but good enough to compete every year and hopefully this summer we add the missing pieces and hope for good luck with injuries and PGMOL.
how is it MCity can afford more players?
after a cleanout this summer...three players will put us in better position depth wise...wish we could have picked up at least one during this window
Raptora, you have been on fire for a month.
I'm shocked guy who fits narrative gets attaboy.
More like he is not a miserable cunt like some people.
I know right. Imagine how much nicer it'd be everyone just agreed with each other.
This is spot on: “…but if you are angry over this window, you either believe we didn't sign a player that was available, you think we should have paid massively over the odds for one, or you'd have been happy with something substandard to get us over the line.”
Kvaratskhelia. 70 million euros. Not in the least substandard.
I have never written about Arsenal in a position this good.
You do know Arsene Wenger actually won league titles right?
Blog didnt exist in 04
September 2007. Marko trying to correct you is very Marko. 'Gormless' as he would say.
I was convinced that you and that bear guy Geoff were around longer? So you created legrove to moan about Wenger right after he was successful...oof
This blog was absolutely around for some of Wenger's success
looking back on past glories is so like Manure fans
Phil Foden is 24 years old
Dude has barely put in 3 good performances since the end of the last league campaign (he was dreadful at the euros)
I’m going to tonight’s game and live in Durham so know a lot of Newcastle fans. Believe me they are a nervous bunch going into this game. If we get an early goal it will certainly be interesting to see how they react.
Newcastle fans are understandably fatalistic after 55 years without a trophy!
You penned this article at the right time Pedro because safe to say we’re all riding very damned high from a glorious city thrashing
I still can’t get over how cathartic it was. My soul was happy when MLS scored. A proper GTFO moment.
I was saying all second half I want Ethan to come on. He just needs to get one half chance sighter cutting in from the right. We know what he can do. Lad comes on far too late, gets one sighter, cuts in and BANG. Fuck off. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant
Don’t remember the last time I enjoyed a win that much.
It has left me wondering if the lads will find the same mindset going into the Newcastle game. If we do, we’ll go through.
But a key fact here is that explosive never say die siege mentality Arsenal has showed up only in the last two second halves recently. After the red card vs wolves and after the equalizer vs city. If we are going to win anything this season we need to be starting games that way, not waiting for our backs to be against the wall before we find the bravery and stop giving a fuck.
That’s how we did it second half of last season. We rocked up with that monster mindset and we’re smashing teams (including Newcastle) in a first half blowout. If we play safe and boring margins football in the first half against Newcastle we might be out of the tie by half time. But start fast, score within 20 mins and keep up the pressure and we will absolutely go through
https://x.com/bukayocore/status/1887095111198081325
"Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, right, have been best friends since the age of six"
A photo of our new star boys as kids. How cool is that.
Fantastic. Cheers . I skimmed the comments tho . What a place of horror
People are comparing what Gary Neville and Carragher said in punditry after the first city-Arsenal fixture and what they said after Sunday.
They didn’t have a problem with Haaland telling Arteta to stay humble and Haaland smashing a ball at the back of Gabriel’s head. They thought it was funny.
Now the same two idiots are acting sanctimoniously after a clean respectful return game with playful banter occurred on Sunday.
I’m so glad I don’t have to listen to Gary Neville week in-week out. I don’t tune in to CBS champions league studio punditry because I can’t understand what Carragher is saying to begin with- all I see in him is the dude who spits at little girls.
The hypocricy of this people is beyond words, what I really don't understand is even usually rational people including friends anything good about Arsenal not to speak a fantastic win brings the worst out of them, why ? I am unable to understand it let alone explain it other than some deep lying insecurity and inferiority complex, what will they become if we were to win something big ?
I'm not crying to get the media paint us in a favorable light. Just don't make us the villains. Antagonizing an 18 year old after the shit Haaland created to begin with, is such an agenda based reaction. Like, you cannot tell me that's alright in any way.
There are some neutral/positive articles at least.
Sean Walsh, goaldotcom Feb 1, 2025 (a day before the game)
A 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, during which Arsenal defended for their lives for the second half following Leandro Trossard's controversial red card, was the latest chapter in this new-age rivalry. Yet arguably the most iconic moment from that game came after the final whistle was sounded by referee Michael Oliver.
Across the pitch walked Mikel Arteta to console his crestfallen players, who were within seconds of securing a first win on City's turf since 2015. He bristled beyond Erling Haaland with a quick shake of the hand, but the Norwegian wasn't up for mere niceties and sportsmanship.
"Stay humble, eh?" television cameras picked up Haaland saying. Eyes steely and power challenged, Arteta spun back in his direction. It felt like a seminal moment and canon event in the Spaniard's story, and this weekend he has the chance for revenge.
Arteta gave up being Guardiola's assistant to take the top job at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019, and though league success against his mentor eluded him, he did strike a hammer blow in his first season, knocking his former side out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage. Victory in the final against Chelsea ensured Arteta had enough credit in the bank to survive a rocky 2020-21 campaign and beginning to the following 2021-22 season, which included a 5-0 drubbing at the Etihad.
That defeat was the turning point in Arteta's reign. From there, he began weeding out the old guard and building around his young core of players, empowering the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. When City made the trip down to the Emirates a few months later, Arsenal swarmed and overwhelmed the champions with youth and endeavour. Alas, that still wasn't enough, as the visitors secured a late 2-1 victory following a string of questionable refereeing decisions.
The message from the outside world was clear when Arsenal made the journey north to Manchester towards the start of 2024-25 - if you want to pip City to top spot, you'll have to beat them in their back yard. Whereas the stalemate in March 2024 was incredibly dull and without event, the Gunners showed far more ambition this time around. Haaland's opener was quickly cancelled out by a worldie from Riccardo Calafiori, and a header from set-piece extraordinaire Gabriel Magalhaes saw them lead at the Etihad for the first time in nearly a decade.
Trossard's dismissal shortly before half-time changed the game entirely, and so Arsenal resorted to the shut-up-shop approach. It was a John Stones strike away from working, too. The devastation in the travelling camp branched between melancholy and fury, with Haaland's 'humble' line only serving to boil frustration. It may yet turn out to be one more bookmark in Arteta's tale.
Haaland seemingly inflicted a curse upon himself since taunting Arteta, as the football gods have not taken kindly to his victory lap in September. After breaking the deadlock that day, he went on to score only three times in his next 13 Premier League fixtures. Though his form has picked up since and he is second behind only Mohamed Salah in the Golden Boot race, the expectation is he will be leapfrogged again by an Alexander Isak or even a Chris Wood.
But like his manager, Haaland has committed his future to City regardless. Pretty much all of his future, in fact, inking a record 10-year contract which will take him well into his thirties. Goodness knows if the planet will even be hospitable at that point, but he'll still be rolled out in a sky-blue shirt anyway.
Nevertheless, it is Haaland, rather than Arteta, who has been humbled. His heel turn hasn't quite gone according to plan and he can expect a hostile reception on Sunday. If Arsenal win, you wouldn't put it past the PA blaring Kendrick Lamar's 'Humble' at full-time.
This game has come at the most opportune of times for Arsenal and the complete inverse for City. It was around this point of last season that the Gunners clicked into gear and got their act together, piecing together a number of high-stakes wins to put themselves back in a position to challenge.
Three more points to hunt down Liverpool would be sweet enough, but the added bonus of tailspinning City again is the added cherry of motivation on top, even if Arteta and Co will publicly downplay such thinking. City, at this point of a rivalry which now boasts a Wikipedia page, are the pretenders of the two, and every player in the Arsenal dressing room scarred by previous burns will want to inflict further damage.
For Haaland, the stakes are equally as high, even if they are differing and were only raised to this level by his own idiocy and ego. The pressure is on him to keep scoring the goals to recover City's season, to block out the Emirates noise, to prove himself a capable leader of a new generation for the next 10 years of his lengthy contract. Sunday could turn metaphorically bloody if he doesn't live up to his own hype.
Sorry for the long article but the writer hit a few homeruns:
- the 5-0 loss to City in August 2021 was a turning point for Arsenal (10-man Arsenal again btw)
- the "Stay humble" mess Haaland created out of thin air, surely played a significant part in our players' mind going for blood and scoring as many goals as we did the other day
- he predicted that Kendrick's song Humble will be played at the Emirates
- "For Haaland, the stakes are equally as high, even if they are differing and were only raised to this level by his own idiocy and ego. The pressure is on him to keep scoring the goals to recover City's season, to block out the Emirates noise, to prove himself a capable leader of a new generation for the next 10 years of his lengthy contract. Sunday could turn metaphorically bloody if he doesn't live up to his own hype."
Sean Walsh, goaldotcom, Feb 2, 2025
LOSER: Erling Haaland
The man at the centre of this newfound rivalry, the convoluted Oppenheimer of Arsenal's enjoyment today. From minute one, the Gunners sought to antagonise Haaland, and despite a bump in the road with his second-half header, they had their vengeance.
Gabriel Magalhaes, bounced with the ball after City's last-gasp leveller back in September's 2-2 draw, screamed and shouted in the Norwegian's face in the opening exchanges, setting the tone in the battle of wits. Lewis-Skelly's 'zen' celebration mimicked that of Haaland's former self, sliding to the floor and lovingly surrounded by his senior team-mates.
Home supporters revelled in Haaland's misfortune, sticking it to him with several derogatory chants. He tried to save face by pointing to the golden Premier League winners' badge on his sleeve at full-time, but given he stirred the pot with his 'stay humble' comments before, this was a lame get-out. You made this bed, Erling, and now you have to lie in it.
LOSER: Phil Foden
Foden, the worthy winner of last season's Player of the Year awards, hasn't quite looked himself this season. He put a slow start down to fitness and injury issues, particularly off the back of a gruelling and testing Euro 2024 campaign in which he was criticised for his performances.
The 24-year-old has found some form against some of the Premier League's lesser sides, but looked way out of his depth against top-quality opposition here. Lewis-Skelly locked him up with significant ease, and his only assist of the day came for Partey, handing the Ghanaian possession leading to Arsenal's second goal.
Guardiola had clearly seen enough when he hooked Foden just after the hour mark. His title-winning exploits feel like a lifetime ago, and with so much talent coming through, his England spot is certainly up for grabs.
LOSER: Pep Guardiola
Guardiola knew what he was doing when he signed up for City's rebuild by penning a new contract over the autumn. If anyone understood just how deep their issues ran, it was him.
There has to be at least a smidgen of regret in his mind, though. So much surgery is still required on a team dying on their last legs. He is no longer the Premier League's premier manager, the tactician who would hardly misstep on his way to glory.
City's staff and players will look to Guardiola to guide them through this tricky period. The concerning element is he is not a manager who has had to deal with many of those across his successful career. Things might get worse before they get better again.
LOSER: Man City's fear factor
And what of City in general? The only punters who didn't foresee today's demise were pessimistic Arsenal fans who needed a precedent to be set before believing they could really run through their new rivals.
On paper, it was clear the Gunners would rip right through City. A lightweight midfield of Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva was overrun, while Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes are evidently not defenders who can be relied upon in a team so susceptible on the break.
The fear factor City have held over England and beyond has dissipated. They are simply another team jostling for European position. It's going to take a lot more than a £150m January transfer window to restore their status.
WINNER: Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly was already popular among Arsenal fans heading into this game, an impressive addition to Arteta's senior squad having worked his way through the youth ranks. By half-time, he was on top of Phil Foden and locking the reigning Player of the Year down. Another 45 minutes later and he was just about shedding his 'prince' title for that of 'king'.
His goal, deftly cutting inside onto his right foot and firing into the far corner, was itself a thing of beauty, but to twist the knife with another Haaland jab will ensure he's remembered round these parts regardless of how the rest of his career pans out. If Haaland was the antagonist, Lewis-Skelly was his superior protagonist.
Those at the Hale End academy will have been left smiling from ear to ear, with Lewis-Skelly's goal followed by an equally superb effort from close friend Nwaneri. That youth production line just keeps on rolling.
WINNER: Kai Havertz
God loves a trier, and for better or worse, that's certainly what Havertz is. He may not be the most fierce of opponents, have the cleanest of technique or ooze charisma, but you can bet he will fight tooth and nail for this Arsenal side.
For many, that isn't enough to lead the line for a side hoping to win the Premier League and Champions League. That's completely fair, particularly once you factor in how horrendous his miss in the first half was, the confidence clearly drained from his body as he shaped up to roll the ball wide from close range.
But he kept at it. He kept going again and again. Maybe that's because he couldn't sink any lower, but he was rewarded in the end for his efforts. The goal Havertz did score was impressive, and he was suitably serenaded by the home crowd for it.
At least until the summer, Havertz's place in the starting line up should be safe. What he does between now and then will tell us how secure that spot is in the long term.
WINNER: Premier League
It's not a good look for the so-called best league in the world to be dominated by one club. City's downfall is a blessing in disguise for the Premier League, bringing in a new age of competitiveness and a bit more parity.
Arsenal, though still unlikely to pip Liverpool to the title, have at least shown they can move into another gear for the rest of the season. They will try and chomp away at that six-point gap, which could still turn to nine if the Reds win their game in hand.
Meanwhile, this deliciously bitter rivalry with City is what sport needs. Arteta hoped pre-match that his players had put September's fixture behind them, but that wasn't the case and was if anything the opposite. Supporters chanted at Haaland, the stadium DJ played 'Humble' by Kendrick Lamar at full-time and Guardiola was booed down the tunnel.
The Premier League should be world-leading in these aspects. Sunday's showdown was quite the tonic in all regards.