Morning all.
Jeffrey Schlupp should have seen red for his potential leg breaking challenge on Callum Chambers. Christian Benteke should have seen red for slapping Elneny in a retaliation incident and Zaha should have been booked at least once for antics in the penalty area. Saka, who was thankfully offside, also made the most of a challenge by their keeper. Had he not been offside, I’m sure Taylor would have produced a yellow card.
There was also an off the ball incident involving Kieran Tierney which for the tough nut he is, I was surprised he made such a big deal of it. “Boooooooo” went the Crystal Palace fans every time he touched the ball but he got his own back by crossing the ball from which Pepe scored our opening goal.
They equalised through Benteke who beat our defensive line to head past Bernd Leno. Benteke is big and strong, but Arsenal could and should have done better.
Toots by now had lost their match which made it more important for Arsenal to win but after the equaliser and Saka being subbed, we were all over the place. Leno kept us in the game really and thank goodness he did because as Odegaard lofted a pace cross in towards the back post, Gabriel Martinelli was there to meet it. Determination and doggedness earned him his goal. A goal not even VAR could rule out, although not for the want of trying. Then came some magic from Pepe. A run at the defenders, a lovely finish and the win was secured. Great result.
If my maths is right, even if we win on Sunday and those above us in the table lose, our best position would be 7th and 7th would mean we’d go into the Europa Conference League Cup and I’m not sure that’ll be a good thing. Unless Mikel Arteta uses the competition to play fringe players and under 23’s etc.
Roy Hodgson didn’t get the result he wanted last night on what was the last time the Selhurst Park crowd will see him in the dugout but I thought the send off he received by both sets of players, the fans and Mikel Arteta was spot on but no more than he deserved. He comes across as a really nice bloke, even though his players like to stick the boot in. I think he’s the only manager in the game who speaks as many if not more languages than Arsene Wenger. His final match as Palace manager is against Liverpool and wouldn’t it be ironic if his team could win that one and with it, ensure his old club aren’t in the Champions League next season. I’d love it.
The final day’s fixture which will ultimately decide the Champions League and Europa places are:
-
Arsenal v Brighton and Hove Albion
-
Aston Villa v Chelsea
-
Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion
-
Leicester City v Toots
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Liverpool v Crystal Palace
-
Manchester City v Everton
-
West Ham United v Southampton
As well as hoping the Brighton players turn up with their minds already focussed on their two weeks on a beach somewhere, Arsenal need a few favours from other clubs. Man City, West Brom, Southampton and Leicester. Palace too but just because I really dislike Liverpool.
See you in the comments.
Yeah good points.Particularly re “ Taylor “ & VAR .you could tell var was desperate to disallow it.Compare that to the scousers goal against Burnley.well offside The panel on sky were amazed.But var bent over backwards to give it to the scousers.A corrupt system if there ever was one.Needs a total revamp.Again.
Just watching match of the day, there were a lot of odd decisions last night.
A question, do we need, I wonder, referees to operate VAR, I mean VAR is technology and a reference on what’s happened, you don’t need to pass a physical you just need to be mentally switch on an understand the game, surely ex players could be trained to operate it?
What we don’t need imo Kev is the same people who are poor referees in their own right, operating VAR. All the system needs is people who understand the laws of the game inside out so no, they don’t need to be qualified referees imo.
Scott sorry I meant Elneny not Saka but there was some strange decisions in the match
@FabrizioRomano
Joe Willock continues to score goals with Newcastle… and Arsenal have a clear position for his future: he’s expected to return to #AFC and have his chance with the 1st team in the pre-season. Then he will leave the club only if ‘important bids’ will arrive.
Exactly Rico, what’s the point in using people who make poor decisions on the pitch to then replicate those same poor decisions in a VAR studio?
I’m sure ex players could look at and judge incidents just as well as referees, all they need is a crash course on the laws.
Hi Rico and all
Kev I would say no to having ex players in charge of the VAR, can you imagine Kane and Zaha in charge of the VAR the game would be full of divers.
Rico/Kev, are they poor decision makers, or simply biased?
I know you guys can’t answer that question but you get my point.
Geoff fair enough-you did have time there hahaha
Thoughts I’d missed something lol
There are always strange calls when we play.
I’ve a feeling Willock might be this summers Martinez Kev.
Totally agree Kev and have said the same for ages. There’s nothing wrong with technology, just the buffoons who operate it.
I know a lot of people will not agree with me but I still recon the game would be better off if we got rid of the off side rule but I would leave all the other rules alone
Hi Geoff, using ex players is just an example and they don’t have to be from the PL etc. A Sunday league player would know the rules.
Geoff, it’s the best game in the world.
The more the rules change, the less the spectacle is enjoyed imo
I thought Benteke looked offside for the goal and this was essentially confirmed by the unwillingness of VAR or BT Sport to provide a line-aligned view. I am not sorry to see Roy depart. He seems like an affable bloke but he encourages some brutal tactics. Obviously him moving with the times. Last night wasn’t the first time I have seen his teams dish out some appalling stick and has he never mentioned the whole diving-to-cheat thing to Zaha? Seems not as he remains a serial-offender. We could so easily have finished the game with a couple of serious injuries. But, at least we now know that it is ok to swing an elbow into an opponents face as long as the contact isn’t too severe. It is, apparently just a matter of the strength of the impact .
Seems to me that one of the biggest problems Arteta is going to have is what to do with the Aubamayang situation. He was dire last night and has been for the whole season really. If a £25 million bid came in?
He’s trading on past glories, big time at the moment.
So many mistakes are made in a lot of matches Scott so it’s hard to tell. Perhaps it’s just as simple as the referees being of a dreadful standard. Many decisions are and always will be subjective so that’s half the problem I think. The incident involving Elneny is a prime example. I’m sure someone like Clattenberg and Oliver would have sent Benteke off.
I wouldn’t like to see that Geoff, I’d just rather the rules changed so only a player’s foot/feet can be offside only. Not a strand of hair or an elbow.
Rico, but can they really be that bad?
Again, I’m not asking you to answer as it’s impossible to know, but when the entire viewing audience sees something and those that count manage to miss it, how?
How can it be and how can it happen so often?
At least part of the time, or some of the officials must be biased.
It happens in all sports though, no question.
One thing that doesn’t help the honest officials who make poor calls are the constant slow motion, frame by frame replays.
I think all calls by VAR should be made at normal speed.
If the eye can’t pick it up, why are we really worrying?
I mean, it’s supposedly there to stop the absolute changers.
Adam I think that a majority of our squad could be moved on if a £25m bid came in…
Rico. If true, that shows how badly the club is being run. I doubt that Arsenal could buy Ollie Watkins for that money.
Any decent bid for Aubameyang Adam and I hope the club take it. As you said, he was awful last night and we were pretty much playing with ten men.
I guess Scott, because they’re not accountable. Who other than football fans are asking questions? The whole refereeing setup needs an overhaul I think. Starting with Riley who really needs to retire or be sacked.
He’s been that way for a while now though hasn’t he? It’s going to need addressing in the close season I imagine.
We are still a mess, just less of a mess than 12 months ago imo
Auba is taking the piss and I’d take anything for him now-get that wage off the books, Martinelli is clearly the better option, Falogun seems to be on the rise so let them have their chance.
Willock Adam?
I’d like to think the club are intending to move Aubameyang on in the summer. He’s clearly not happy and the fact that he’s the captain, makes his attitude and performances even worse.
Why Arteta continues to play him I just don’t know.
Willock has done great at Newcastle and obviously needs to be given a serious chance in the first team I reckon Rico. Whether he fits in with the manager’s ideas I don’t know.
Rico, yes, and the fact that the media are so silent is a disgrace.
Some of these calls are so blatantly wrong, it’s crazy to think so little is said.
I wonder, back in the day when Arsene Wenger pulled off a bit of a coup for £16m – and we all thought that he’d bought in the next big thing at right back – yes Calum Chambers.
Now you have to wonder if the loose defensive coaching of Wenger benefited Chambers because he went into a sharp decline after some questionable performances? He was for awhile set for a move to Crystal Palace, but I think that injury scuppered that move.
He then went on to become the top performer at at centre back at Middlesbrough for year whilst on loan and then followed that up with a Player of the Season loan at Fulham in midfield but he never really cut it at Arsenal until Arteta arrived.
Initially Calum was in the side under Arteta and playing really well in a back three and Rob Holding was on his way to Newcastle with another Martinez moment pending. But an injury to Calum and a change of heart kept Rob at Arsenal so that he could continue his unbeaten record vs Chelsea.
And so up to today, it’s been pretty well documented that Hector wants to leave and that Arteta is in favour of that scenario, Soares has failed to nail it at right back and so a new man for that position is needed and I’ve heard some crazy fees suggested for the likes of Aarons and Hakimi (spelling) et al, but in the meantime Chambers has been doing a solid job in the position Wenger signed him for…
So does Arteta have the answer to the right back position already in situ…
Your views?
Rico, it would take considerably more than a “crash course” to allow ex-payers to operate the VAR system. The majority will have spent years playing the game but still have only a rudimentary idea of the laws.
(From previous post)
Good morning Rico and all
Fine win yesterday. that is a run of 4 wins, And Pepe has scored in the last two games for a total of 14 goals this season
imo the team for the last match should be…….
Leno
Chambers, Holding, Mari/Gabriel,Tierney
Xhaka, Partey
Saka, ESR, Pepe
Martinelli
Ceballos Willian, and Auba should be rested after such a gruelling season in which they ran their socks off 🤣🤣🤣🤣
https://www.facebook.com/100001961536624/posts/5781201591955168/?d=n
I told you all a week back this was simmering away, and it wasn’t a random guess, the mail was solid.
There is no guarantee it’ll happen, but these guys are deadly serious and will go to great lengths to get it done
yes Scott….I know I am being harsh with regards my next game line up re Auba etc But was being honest. Brutally honest
You could see that he was tired. And taking the kick off must have taken a lot of his strength poor sod. Carrying all that wage in his pocket will surely leave him with a scoliosis surely. tired feet and foggy mind as well.
Dont tell me porkies that Willian will be refreshed for next game because he sat out this one. Recovery can take longer than expected in certain cases. And Ceballos needs to be well rested to be strong enough to board the plane to Madrid even though Kev has offered to install a bed in his cab just to drive him to Heathrow airport.
BDW….I liked reading the post Rico. And I do not think that the match officials operating VAR are not up to scratch. They are good. What makes you think otherwise.
Lately they have invested in a walking stick though. Being bent so much of the time has left its toll and they need a stick to walk
I think so too Adam. He can look like a headless chicken at times but he’s certainly impressed at Newcastle.
Ex players was just an example Cicero, the point we’re trying to make is that a referee doesn’t need to operate VAR, just someone who knows the rules and has no agenda.
I think we should keep VAR but cut out its responsibility for off-side decisions. All off-sides should be decided on the pitch, perhaps by the two linesman and the use of rock, paper, scissors best of three. The chances of getting the correct decision, by this method, could hardly be worse than at the moment.
Hahahaha Devil!!!
Gee I really am starting to detest Auba.
You could see early this season he was out of sorts and I’m sure we all thought/hopes it was merely a form slump.
It wasn’t.
He’s cashed in and taken an early retirement.
I know this view won’t be popular but I don’t think Arsene Wenger was a good coach for younger players. Walcott, Chambers, Holding, Chamberlain, even Wilshere we’re just a few who didn’t really improve under him.
someone who knows the rules and has no agenda? You’re not asking for much then Rico. 😉
Rico, Chambers and Holding are the only players who’ve improved since Arsene left.
Is that down to Arteta?
The problem I have with off side rule is why should a striker get penalised just because he is quicker than the defender that’s all.
Rico I would often have a discussion with my friends before he passed away about Wenger I would say Wenger should retire and coach the younger players around 15 years old and he was convinced that Wenger was a better coach for players over 21 years old
Geoff, if the striker is quicker than the defender, he shouldn’t need to be offside.
I reckon Wenger should’ve stuck to managing and had coaches do the coaching.
Vastly different jobs
Really Scott, so you think that Martinez was a better goalkeeper under Wenger then?
Then there is Xhaka, surely he’s playing his best football under Arteta?
😀 Cicero. Just me then. Lol
I don’t think so Scott. Both have always had the potential it’s just I think Wenger often hanged them out to dry.
I think Wenger was best with players who could think for themselves on the pitch Geoff.
Kev, where did I mention Martinez, though which manager did he thrive under?
The same Arteta many say they’ve seen no progress under 🙂
Xhaka wasn’t a youngster when he joined us so not sure how he’s relevant.
Of course, I did say Arsene wasn’t a coach and should’ve stuck to managing………
Rico, I agree but then, fans also hung them out to dry often enough.
Did Wenger gain a false reputation in football for giving youngsters a chance because finances dictated he find cheaper, younger players???
I mean, giving youngsters a chance and improving them is two different things.
That’s different Scott, we’re talking players and coaching. As a fan, I just see game to game and comment.
Scott you didn’t mention a lot of players, you just used two to make a point and I used one to make another point… 🤥
Holding made a lot of progress under Emery actually and arguably was our best centre back before Sir Marcus Rashford CBE ‘did him’ at Old Toilet.
As did Saka Kev. Emery gave him his chance I think. Had Emery stayed, I think we’d have seen ESR in the team before we did too, and Saliba.
Weren’t Chambers and Holding youngsters when they joining us?
The same as Xhaka… 🤓
Yes I agree with you Rico, Emery was sabotaged by the Ozil clique not the youngsters.
Kev, I only mentioned them when responding to Rico.
I know that I’m probably going against the grain on here (sorry Cicero) but I think we have to give Aubameyang a bit more latitude, it’s taken awhile for Gabriel to fully recover, if he has, from WuFlu and who knows he might have actually contracted Long WuFlu?
Aubameyang could still be recovering from his illness and he could also be adapting to a regular central role, something he’s not had to do since Arteta took over?
So let’s see how he goes next season.
He’s not going anywhere is he, we all know that?
I know Scott and I only mentioned who I mentioned when I was responding to you as I wasn’t responding to Rico, who I think was responding generally to everyone, although I could be wrong as she maybe was responding to Adam who was also responding generally to everyone but as Rico often says ‘It’s Ok To Disagree’ and I do like disagreeing with you Digger. 😉
Excuse me, my cat is crying at the back door.
Absolutely agree Kev. I know Emery wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but most things were against him from the start. Players and board especially.
Kev, I’m too tired to decipher that hahahaha
Scott, have an early night. 😄
The cat say hello…. 😉
I’m a dog person, Kev 😉
Scott, you’ve really upset Barney… 😁
Fekken Barney, temperamental little bugger 🙂
I just logged in a different way and the whole site looks different!!!
After all these years I can’t moment and not type my bloody user name and password every comment.
Cicero, this will make you very happy as I’ll have more time to comment 🙂 🙂 :)!
I believe that AW was both good and bad with regards the youngsters. Arteta is good for the youngsters as well. As was Emery, who I still believe to be a very good coach and as Rico pointed out would have made sure that our youngsters would have developed earlier as well. And I will give reasons for it.
I will say it straight…..AW’s lack of a professional career at the top saw him fail many times. SAF was a player and so knew the flows and ebbs of the game by observing it around him. AW was not a regular for his few clubs and rarely played. He saw the game from the side but SAF, Arteta, Emery had the added bonus that besides seeing the game from the side they had the opportunity of looking at the enemy in the eye. Trust me…they are different experiences. So while AW was good with the youngsters because he introduced them in his teams, he lacked the tactical nous (of this I dont have any doubts as he rarely did tactics and preferred to have players who were good ones and allowed them to be themselves and play creatively) and this failed him in developing the kids. Its one thing getting a ready made player like Petit, Gilberto, Vieira, the entire back line GG built, etc. And its another having to coach them when to go forward, when to play the pass, which side do you want the ball player to go and how to make the runs.
So in essence while AW gave the youngsters their chance he did not continue developing them on the field of play and therefore they reached a level and stopped there. AW was loved by the players because he always told them to go out and play. But telling them what to do when they have the ball and when they dont have it I am afraid he failed at that. That is why the team suffered under Arteta because he wanted them to play a certain way within tactics and they were not prepared to do that. The youngsters are different as they had never been coached by AWs philospohy.
Emery was hamstrung by those on top of him (Sanlehi etc) and those under him…the Ozil clique. Had he stayed we would be in a much better position than we are now. I love Arteta but have the utmost respect for Emery because he is a top coach. And I want him to win the Europa lge not becuase I hate United but because I want him to do so. if he wasnt a good coach he would not have won the Europa lge three times and taken another team in the final only to be undermined by a host of players who turned out to be Medusa’s serpents.
Oh and bdw…Mustafi has been released by Schalke just 6 months after joining them, Kolasinac will not be retained but will come back while Ozil is still struggling. Serves them right. I just hope that Arteta will release him. I am just disgusted by the three of them.
They should thank their lucky stars the Arsenal owner is Kroenke because if it had been me I would have paid off their contracts and made public their involvement in all the bad things that happened at the club.
Agree re Emery Devil. I too hope his team batter Utd and for the same reasons as you, although I do dislike Utd.
Just that I detest Utd 🙂
what’s the point in using people who make poor decisions on the pitch to then replicate those same poor decisions in a VAR studio?
Good question but unfortunately they don’t believe that they make poor decisions . If Riley is to be believed they get 95% right.
Riley is 99% of the problem imo.
Potter they are right that they dont believe they make poor decisions. Because the decisions are done with a certain weights which are pulled by hidden strings. That is why most refs are bending down and need a walking stick. Riley has two sticks himself infact. One for each hand. He has bended himself so much in the past and is so presently so occupied helping others to bend that its taken a toll on his health. The bones can only take so much
For all the mistakes Wenger made There was a lot of good he done like taking the players from smoking, drinking and meat pies to eating healthy and concentrating on getting fitter and more professional and winning trophies
yes we all recognize that Geoff, He made so many good things that it far outweighs his mistakes. and we all love him even though he spent around 5-7 years longer than he should have done.
but we were referring to development in young players in this case.
IMO AW did only 1 big mistake throughout the time he spent with us…..he neglected the domestic front after 2005 in order to achieve the holy grail of winning the champions lge. had he concentrated on winning on the domestic front I am sure he would have won a lot more trophies….more EPL, more FA Cups and even the League cup. But he wanted the CL. and that hindered him from winning more.
Kev likes a meat pie.
So do I, there’s one about to be served up in fifteen minutes. Steak and kidney with new potatoes and fresh picked asparagus.
I don’t Adam. 😀
Wenger made loads of mistakes Devil, refusing to seek advice or accept help possibly being the worst.
https://metro.co.uk/2021/05/20/dennis-bergkamp-sends-message-to-josh-kroenke-over-arsenal-takeover-14613728/?fbclid=IwAR1xPDlq_Ks2jlb6iDCztIlPvqxv6-MiulsLsYn-wKJVRDebv1h7IW6Lf1E
I read that earlier from Bergkamp. Seems Ek is serious about the club.
Rico. I thought not. 😀
Ha ha Adam.
Mmmmm, meat pies.
EveningRico and the House.
It looks like it is going to bea cliff hnger finish to the seson.
Are we going to see another totting ham day.
I think we will.
Kev Your 11.51 on Chambers
I think you are right he could be the ans to the
right back replacement for Bellerin.
It looks like he is forming a good understanding with Rob Holding
and they are the age when they reach their peak.
Rob was 20 when he joind and Chambers was 19.
So far their time at the club has been hard going but I for one
think that is behined them.
Evening Rick, I hope so re both Holding and Chambers, and St Toots day.
I love a meat pie, especially with mash n liquor, I also love cheese.
Rico/Rick, I really don’t want Arsenal to finish 7th and end up in the Conference, so I wouldn’t be sorry to see Arsenal draw with Brighton, I’m not too fussed about finishing above Tottenham, they’re the least of our worries, once Harry Kane leaves they’re finished.
Rico, I bet you could muller a fish pie? 😉
You must have the stewed eels to go with it Kev.
White wine will taste heavenly with a fish pie Rico. Especially if you take pineapple with cream after.
Good morning Rico and all
Did you see what a worldie the ASton Villa ‘player’ Reguilon scored??? For a full back that deserves the Puskas award. And he had an assist later on. I heard that Villa don’t pay his wages so he should be an option to rotate with Tierney when the latter needs a breather. 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣 The only problem is that the Villa fans love him to bits.
Not these days Kev, not for about five years or more. 😝
Depends what Levy does with the money re Kane Kev, if the get a good manager who is allowed to reinvest it, they could benefit in a way Liverpool did by selling Cortinho. I’m hoping for the opposite of course.
Morning Devil, all.
I’m not fussed either way re the Europa Conference. On one hand it’ll give the younger players a chance to gain experience but on the other, It’ll be a pain in the bum if Arteta takes it ‘seriously’.
https://highbury-house.com/2021/05/21/emery-and-arteta-proved-right/
New post up now
Sorry Cicero, I couldn’t quite handle the eels mate, but a fruit pie was always welcome.
Pineapple and ice cream for me DG