Morning all.
Thirteen league games to go. We appear to have a new lease of life thanks to the arrival of Auba and Mikki, whereas points are being dropped by those above us. City are Champions elect I’d say and Utd are just about out of range for us to catch with eleven points the gap between us and them so it’s a big battle now for those last two Champions League spots.
3rd. Liverpool – 51 points.
4th. Chelsea – 50 points.
5th Totts – 49 points.
6th. Arsenal – 45 points.
39 points are on offer between now and the end of the season so from looking out of contention for a top four spot a few weeks ago, we are right back in the mix. Not for one minute is getting top four something to celebrate, but it’s important for so many other reasons. Money is one, top players want to be in the competition and as Kev pointed out yesterday, next year both our kit and stadium sponsorship deals need to be renewed. If the club want a bigger and better deal than they struck last time with Puma or any other sports manufacturer, they need to be in the Champions League imo. The more money the club earns, the more money there should be for players too. We need to see more Abua’s and no Sanogo’s. Also, if Arsene Wenger does walk away in May, being in the Champions League could be a deal clincher for any top top manager. Not that I think we’d need it because as we’ve often said before, our club is a sleeping giant just waiting to be taken to the level required to compete with the best sides in the PL and across Europe. I’m convinced that any great manager would snap the boards hand off should they be offered the job one day.
Chelsea will soon be in the hunt for a new manager, to be fair, Roman probably has one lined up already. It gets easier for him to make his selection because his options are running out as he changes managers more than most men change their socks. (Just checking you’re reading) They were thumped 4-1 last night by Watford. Yes I know they beat us too but that doesn’t mean I can’t smile. Down to ten men after half an hour and being a goal down their task was a tricky one. Hazard made the scores level but a late flurry from the home team pushed Conte further towards the sack. The three points dropped helps us, as does the draw at the weekend between Liverpool and Totts, but we’ll only benefit if we can take advantage over the next few weeks and months.
Champions League and Europa return this month, next week in fact and Arsene Wenger has a decision to make. Does he go for both or does he prioritise one? He’s also got to think about the Cup Final later this month. Abua can’t play Europa so that’s an easy decision. Mikki can though I think as Mourinho didn’t play him in the Champions League. Also, we have Mavropanos, who despite expected to go out on loan, has been impressive for the under 23’s. I expect he’ll be involved in our Europa challenge, as could Santi Cazorla in the latter stages if we get there after Arsene Wenger named him in the squad. It’d be great to see the little Spaniard return. Had we been out of the race for top four, I’d imagine the decision for Wenger would have been made easier for him as he’d want to win the Europa Cup as it guarantees a Champions League spot next season but now, he can go for both. That’s if he wasn’t planning to do so anyway.
With Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool all competing in the Champions League and no doubt hoping to win it, they’ll probably be fielding strong sides which can take it’s toll on their players. We however can continue to field a mixed team of youth and experience in our European campaign keeping our first team fresh and fit.
Fit to get fourth spot, or even better, third. It’s possible, it really is…
Brighton, Leicester, Newcastle, ManU and Huddersfield are our remaining away fixtures in the EPL… Under normal circumstances you’d expect Arsenal to be able to take 12 points from that lot, maybe a draw at OT and 13. So a top-four finish is still on and more likely than winning the UEFA Cup, even if I’d rather win that european pot tbh.
Good Morning Rico, it’s a nice day out here in Essex, not that warm but the sun has got its hat on, we’ll a bit…
Morning Kev. Our away form has to improve at some stage and we know how AW can get his players up for a top four fight… 😉
Morning rico, think we are 6th not 5th 🙂
Not joining you in your turning against poor Sanchez, I thought you were someone in disguise reading a previous posting. You be saying he’s a diver next! Seriously, lets remember him for all the good things he has done, sometimes nearly single-handed. I don’t believe his performances, even if dropped slightly, were worse than other players, still a match-winner for me and I would have picked him to stay over Ozil.
Loved the ending last night, even willed on that irritating outspoken Deeney for the match!
Hi Andrew, I’ve corrected the post now, thanks for pointing it out.
I did say I loved Alexis though and that he’s a great player. Just not one Wenger could either build around or manage well.
Well if Ozil keeps the work rate up, maybe we done ok. Whatever might happen, we could have ended a lot worse. Hoping it works out with this new Irish geezer Micky Tarrin or whatever!
PS – very hard to post today, ‘invalid tokens’. Sounded like something from London Underground! Finally got through on Firefox. Chrome usually works but not today, nor Edge.
That’s strange Andrew, my Chrome is fine. Perhaps that’s why it’s so quiet.
I reckon Mikki is going to be just fine, a new lease of life and all that…
With Auba , Lacazette , Mikhitarian , Wilshere , Ramsey , Xhaka , Elneny and Iwobi we have options to play with one or two up front , it might benefit our away tactics and give other managers something to think about.
If you compare the newcomers to the ones that have left , we have upgrades on Giroud and Walcott but Sanchez as a player is irreplacable but our transfer policy forced us into a corner but I think although on the surface it looks like a step backwards , it may actually prove to be two steps forward.
Good afternoon rico and all,
As good a result as last night’s, it still irks me that f***face Mike Dean is still allowed to referee in the PL. .
The little git is a disgrace, one thing I agree with AW of. .
He is really beyond substandard.
Lucky for him it’s all about the under fire Conte this morning!
Knowing how useless and corrupt the PGMOL can be, they could appoint him to officiate the NL derby just to despise AW and make a point ..
After all he would be at home with all his spuds buddies .
Pochettino was spotted last night at the game as well. .allegedly in a scouting mission. .propably Deulefue who had outstanding game!
Evening all and thank you Rico.
I only see CL as a sponsorship enhancing thing I dont beleieve it is the main reason for player buying as you only have to look at Manshafter and Chavs who have missed CL, but still managed to get top players……Pogba !………to players the main attraction to them is money and lots of it !
I have no feeling good or bad for CL, it has bored me to death for too many years, so as a fan I dont give a toss either way.
Seems that a lot of people have been brainwashed or hypnotised by our last result thinking it is a turnibg point, yes, I hope it is, but I expected to beat Everton even if the two new guys would have been unavailable, we have a great home record, so it was a normal win, lets see what we are away from home with the new two as that`s where we have been pants.
Its` too early to judge imo, yes, the new two are great additions imo, but it`s the defence that concerns us all, a point or a win in the NLD will be a good or great result, a loss and your post of optimism will be squashed and we will be back to this seasons norm !……………………………….actually, even a draw will be rubbish if both Bin Dippers and Chavs win their next game, it is the old cliche of MWG, especially with only 12 games to go.
I should imagine Wenger will look at the results this weekend to decide his options in the EL, too soon imo for the new Greek guy, if Wenger wants CL then it is now time to take EL really seriously as the next round if we get through will not see us entertain any easy team.
Goals from last night, not sure what part of Eddies body his first goal came off !
http://www.arsenalstation.com/2018/02/06/video-nelson-scores-beauty-nketiah-bags-hat-trick-as-arsenal-u23s-thrash-everton/
Evening Kk and all.
Not sure what’s worse, Dean or the appointment that is confirmed. Anthony Taylor….
I reckon the Greek might be in the Europa squad Lc..
rico, no offence but have you ever watched the TCM channel, all them Greeks walking around like they haven’t got a worry in the world …….the jury’s still out for me !
Potter, not taking the pish matey, just can’t see us finishing top 4 ……..nite Gooners.
Morning Rico and all. Anthony Taylor? Sod that. Will he pick up the dives and the rest of the cheating that makes up the Spurs repertoire?
Doubtful I would say.
Morning all.
Adam…………………………..He only has to look at their new badge to get an indication of what`s about to happen !……
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVXgP7FXUAAfNt1.jpg
Morning Adam, Lc and all.
It’s been so quiet I thought I’d have a day off.. 🙂
Just come down for a cup of something hot , rotten weather and working outside . not been paying attention to football , maybe I could apply for a job on the board at Arsenal.
Ha ha Potter.
That’s a good idea Rico. I think I’ll have a day off too. 🙂
Howdy folks seems sven has found us another gem. Karim demibray of hoffenheim. A box to box beast of a player. Just saw a few videos on him on YouTube. Kid really can ball. We need someone of his skill set plus another German to make ozil feel at home. Lol
Signed or on the ‘to do’ list of dreams??
Afternoon all. Lovely day again on the Costa del East Midlands!
Baking hot here in the Cornish Sahara !
😆
I think we need Borat to make Mkhitaryan feel at home !
😉
“You ve got alli dele alli I just don’t think you understand he’s got more pubic hairs than you ve got silverware you ve got dele alli ????????Newport fans last night.
Goonster, have you seen the pitch the Totts have to play on in the next round?
Morning to you and all.
Morning Rico no i haven’t…just concerned about the Wembley pitch. Looks really horrible last night. Had a bumpy feel to it. Won’t be surprised if those jammy scums sabotaged it so we won’t play our free flowing footie.
Ha ha goonster, it’ll be the same for both sides..
Nah Rico they can play better on them surfaces we can’t. Just hope we won’t be setting up to play that tiki taka bullshit. Hit them with salvos of counter attacking football. We ‘ve got the players for that now. I don’t want to see those ponderous sideways never advancing just on the same spot football. I ‘ll lose my shit.
Heard we ‘re reallu looking at Maurizio sarri to take over from arsene. Oh Lord in heaven. That ‘ll be the signing of the decade. Surpassing ozil Sanchez and auba’s. This guy is the way forward. He plays football the way it should be. Fast,quick movements and easy on the eye. Heard Chelsea wants him but he ‘ll rather manage us. God I hope there’s an element of truth in these stories. First it was carlo ancelloti then Joachim loew now the pick of the litter sarri?? Rico have you seen what he’s done for napoli this season?? With limited funds too!!! He ‘ll take us to the next level Rico. We ‘ll be the barca of the British isles. Make it happen Ivan. God help me. Arsenal ‘ll be the death of me.
Well soon see Goonie, no point in stressing…
I know Rico but this is our chance to nab a real world class manager. If we don’t Bayern juve or the chavs might beat us to him. Sarri is the real deal ma’am. He’s giving allegri a run for his money in the serie A. He’s exactly what we need.
I thought Napoli were struggling?
Not the case it seems, they top their league… lol
No ma’am they are leading the serie A with a point. Juve just can’t seem to shake them. Sarri has got them playing the best football in Europe and yes I mean europe!
Him jardim hassenhuttl and nagelsmann *spelling are my first choice don’t get me wrong I ‘ll take anyone over Wenger right now even sparky ?but those 3 are the top of my list right now. They don’t require huge sums to be competitive plus they actually set up to win every game playing the brand of football that ‘ll make a man…..you know the rest Rico ?????
Were’t they dumped out of the CL though?
New post up now..