Morning all.
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In this game, certainly in the Premier League, I think there is four types of clubs.
- Those who see winning the title as their only aim. Anything else is a bad season.
- A top four finish is a must. Without it, a manager’s job is seriously at risk.
- Europa qualification.
- Survival.
I’m sure the aim for every club is to win the league but for the majority, deep down the owners, manager and players know that’s little more than a dream with bettering the previous seasons finish would be an achievement. The newly promoted clubs would probably just be happy to retain their Premier League status.
Right now I think Arsenal sit at number 3, with number 2 being the next step which I know sounds obvious. I’ve said this before and perhaps by repeating it I’ll sound as if I’m trying to absolve Mikel Arteta of any kind of criticism which I’m not because he should be under as much scrutiny as any other manager/head coach but he’s been in place for five minutes and with a group of players he had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with signing. Mari and Cedric aside. He has to be given time, time to work things out for himself.
Remember, it took Pep Guardiola time and vast amounts of money to win the League and as yet, his City side haven’t won anything in Europe. It took Jugen Klopp three years to build a squad which looked like it could win the League, four to actually win it. Credit where it’s due though, they’ve won the Champions League although one has to admit that Lady Luck rode her journey with them.
Arsenal are in my opinion, three/four years behind the top two clubs in England but without Man City’s money and without a Coutinho to sell. I always think ‘Ford’ when I type his name.
Of course it’s great that UEFA have agreed to relax FFP this season because that means Stan Kroenke can go financially wild but before we get too excited, so can every other club owners. However, this really is the summer when Arsenal need to be busy because transfer fees are expected to be lower and with pay cuts already in place across European clubs, wages are likely to be lower too. May hay whilst the sun shines Arsenal.
But back to this little flurry of fixtures for Arsenal and the push for European football. Yes, those hopes took a dent on Wednesday night after losing to Man City but the realist knows that it takes a better team/squad than Mikel Arteta has to win up there and that’s with eleven players on the pitch and without suffering two early injuries. Perhaps we should therefore put that game to bed, forget it and forget what followed the sending off of David Luiz.
The fixtures come fast and furious for the next few weeks and we have another this afternoon. After the criticism the club received for their late flight landing in Manchester a few days ago, I’d imagine Mikel Arteta and his players are already taking a stroll along the glorious south coastal sands. I jest of course, it’s pebbles.
Mikel Arteta and his squad have an opportunity to bounce back with a victory although these days, a trip to the south coast to face Brighton is not a fixture to be taken lightly. Even so, Brighton haven’t won a fixture in 2020 and this is their first fixture since the restart. Graham Potter has just the one player out through injury. He also has a good record against Arsenal. Which means nothing.
We’re without Luiz of course. Pablo Mari and Granit Xhaka miss out too although there’s been nothing official on the extent of either players injury. I’m not going to guess at who’ll Arteta will start with today but at some stage I’m sure we’ll see Pepe and Gabriel. I’d like to see them both start because they’re exciting footballers to watch. A real threat to any opposition and they’re our future.
With Toots and Man Utd playing out a draw last night, it’s an opportunity for us to close the gap between ourselves and them. Although we really need to up our goal difference. Just in case…
Enjoy the game guys, see you in the comments.
Brazilian outlet ColunaDoFLA have announced that the loan deal for the Flamengo defender Pablo Mari has now been made permanent by Arsenal.
They reported this morning (Translated by Google)….
Sealed deal! After loan, Arsenal completes purchase of Flamengo’s Pablo Marí
Defender Pablo Marí arrived at Flamengo in the second half of 2019 and became a key player in Jorge Jesus’ team. With such success, it did not take long to attract interest from Europeans. Earlier this year, he was loaned to Arsenal, and the English club decided to exercise the purchase right and stay with the athlete permanently.
With the purchase, Pablo Marí became the most expensive defender ever negotiated by Flamengo. Since the start of the loan, Fla had already received € 5 million. In total, the transaction can reach € 16 million, with bonuses.
Orlight, Rico, orlight 😉😂 nice post to start the day with, ta very much!
It’s match day (half- hearted yay!) So they’re without a win this year… just like Sterling was without a goal in 12 (?) They beat us at home, back in December – I was there and was not amused 😂 So I’m a little nervous! It’s a bummer we’re without Torreira and Xhaka! I’ve read Zech Medley has been added to the squad…After Wednesday, I said I was going to go and do my weekly shop instead and not watch, but I’ve calmed down now and will go earlier 😂
Some good games on today, Rico.. and did you see Reading play Stoke? Come on you Royals!!
It is depressing thinking how far behind the top teams we are at this moment in time! There’s only one way to go though and I have faith in Mikel to take us there! Poor sod though, I wouldn’t want his job 😂 COYG
Morning all and thanks Rico.
As a Gooner I am only interested in Number One, but I know our owner is into Number Two`s!………………but in a reversal, we fans have to put up with his shit with him taking the piss!…………I`ve always been good with the English language! hahaha
Technical question?………………………………The Trouble and Strife gets BT Sport on her phone, does anyone know if I can somehow get it to connect to my smart TV for todays game?
Ha ha Sue, morning to you and all.
Bugger, I missed Reading on tv, I was trying to finish ‘Seven Seconds’ – awful. Not the topic but the film.
I’m looking forward to the game. I might change my mind five minutes in though.. 😂
You should be able to watch it Lc if your wife has the app, does she get it free with the phone or through BT?
https://www.bt.com/sport/app/learn/
Here’s another.
https://www.bt.com/help/bt-sport/getting-set-up/app/mobile-and-tablet/can-i-stream-bt-sport-using-chromecast-or-apple-tv-
Reading kick off the same time as us.. highlights will be on Quest at 9.30pm
Just seen thanks. I thought you meant they’d played. Typical they’re playing at 3pm…
It’s the way I word things, Rico 🤪
It’s the country bumpkin way Sue, I too muddle my words up. According to others, including my English teacher back in the day…
Hi Rico and All we really need a win tonight to keep the pressure on the teams above. we were never going to win last week but we have a good chance tonight
We’re after Papa Gueye according to The Mirror. He wants to cancel his five year deal which he agreed with Watford back in January now we’re interested.
Hi Rico just wonder has Man city had their appeal against transfer ban herd yet as i have herd nothing
Good morning all, I agree with your headline Rico, but as well as scoring goals we need to stop conceding so many. Of course with the enforced absence of a certain Brazilian defender perhaps an improvement in the goals against stat is in the pipe-line.
Could Saliba be drafted in against Norwich City on July 1st? or Wolves on July 4th?
We’re on the same wavelength then, Rico 😂😂
Soccer AM is back at 11!! Love Jimmy Bullard!
What was Seven Seconds about, Rico? Not familiar with it. Do you watch Gogglebox?
Possiblly an HDMI lead although what size I don’t know but I can get a lap top to tv through one .
I feel sorry for Arteta , he is faced with all the problems that haunted Emery and luck is most definitely not with him. Most supporters had written the season off pre corona but the break allowed hope to creep in and then at City we came to face to face with all the problems he could wish for . He was playing a better team , his plans were decimated in 20 minutes and ground into the dirt by a stupid sending off from a referee who incidentally comes from Manchester . ( just saying ).
However he still has the same squad and the same problems . Ozil , Xhaka , under performers that we all know need to be moved on but probably he knows it too but can’t do anything about it.
At the moment it feels like a new beginning but it really isn’t , just a continuation of the past problems that have built since the latter Wenger years.
Was it Emery’s fault ? certainly he lost the players and had communication problems and it was right that he left but Arteta has not got a clean board to work on he has exactly the same mess to clear up . 2 to 3 years I reckon.
If Pablo Mari wasn’t sitting at home, with ankle ligament damage, I would be over the moon at the tidings of his signing. As it is I’m in dread of hearing that he won’t be ready before Christmas. Par for the course with so many of our recent signings. 😕
Hi Geoff, no idea re City but it’s quiet so my guess is it’s ongoing.
It’s a racially motivated hate crime story Sue, just badly done in my opinion.
Oh yes, love gogglebox. I’d never heard of it until Lee on here mentioned it.
Potter, well said. We’re on a very similar page.
Geoff , Man City were given a two window ban on 15th March 2019, so the ban has now expired. They are waiting to hear if their appeal against their ban from European football has been successful.
I’ve a feeling Mari snapped his Achilles which means a long, long lay off.
It would be excellent if Saliba was both fit and available on July 1st. Last we heard of him he was on the sick list!
As for today,, it all depends on who turns up. A group of hungry youngsters or an unruly mob of unrefined green horns?
A few years ago the result of this game would have been a cast iron away win, but now……?
Let’s hope we’re smiling by 5 o’clock😊
Good afternoon one and all. Welcome to the business end of our roller coaster of a season.
Jenny and Lee are my favourites! How about you? Celebrity Gogglebox is great too… I love Martin and Roman Kemp… and how funny (or should I say thick) are Shaun and Bez?! They’re the perfect example of why you shouldn’t do drugs 😂😂
Wavy, I thought Saliba had been playing before the French league ended, playing well too I’m sure. Would nice if something went our way for a change.
I’ve just finished watching Gangs of London, complete and utter tripe, I can’t think why I bothered.
The Rugby Football Union is considering banning the singing of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” at England matches because it is linked to slavery. As the song was written by a slave as a prayer begging to be released from slavery surely singing it shows solidarity with anti-slavery sentiments.
The next woke idea will be to replace “White” with “Multi-Ethnic” in the name of the cliffs near Dover. 😕
Favs are Jenny and Lee Sue. Love Dwain, Twain and Tremain too although I wish I knew how to spell their names. 😂
Quite like all the celebs, Maureen Lipman is an incredible woman, mind you, I like her in Corrie too.
Cicero, imo, it’s all gone a bit too far now. Let history be and move forward I think.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1274326297758613505?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Ooh my boyfriend returns…. Kolasinac 🥰
COYG
Nearly a totally different starting eleven.
Leno, ,Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Ceballos, Pepe, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Ozil on the bench, the closest he’s been to starting in an away game this year!
Rico, you’re right I remember now. The french league is over so he’s ours again I presume. So…..?
1st July Wavy but cant see him being allowed to play.
I do wish the commentators would remember that 11 v 11, we were drawing at City!!
So unlucky Saka. Wicked strike.
Would’ve been some goal, Rico!! 👍
Good, thanks Sue.
He deserves a goal, or three… 😆
Reading 1 up, Rico
Aubameyang looks looks lethargic and totally uninterested. Attempts 1, On target 0.
I’ve just seen Freddie Mercury playing for the Arsenal! Hector Bellerin has morphed into the late Queen front man. You look!
Our bad luck continues….
Bloomin heck, when will it end…
Leno being carried off with what looks like a serious leg injury.
This is when we need a strong captain and a few leaders to raise their game.
Poor first half.
Dirty Brighton.
Atkinson dreadful. As is our front three. Saka the one bright light.
Nice..
Leno made his feelings clear as he went off. What a dirty team, Pepe taken out twice, hand in face of Saka, but VAR says that’s fine. Two booked.
You have to feel for Arteta it just keeps piling on
At last, Pepe does something positive.
WHAT A BEAUTY!!!
Water break takes away the momentum
I don’t believe it…..
Shit!!
90 odd minutes of my life I’ll never get back. What a pile of poop that performance was.
Made worse at the end…
That definitely puts the kibosh on our premiership season.
We should’ve watched Reading, Rico!!
My oh my we really are crap.. Brighton did the double over us…. I’m disgusted and embarrassed…..
Wish I had Sue.
That dirty sod got MOTM as well… unbloodybelievable!!
Another nightmare. Too much wrong to even begin talking about.
Mikel Arteta has a gigantic task on his hands.
What`s Hector going to do with all them trees?
Why didn’t I go to Tesco?!!! 🤬
Brighton won the 1st game in 2020
We lost 2x with Brighton this year
Haven’t won in Brighton in 5 years
As for the game:
– We continue to play against 15. How is it possible for Bissouma to have reached the end of the game without at least a yellow when he should have taken 2 reds?
– The referee was terrible.
– Does the VAR only exist for scoring off-side and validating goals?
– The team should have been “refreshed” after the Arsenal goal
– Ceballos must appear much more
– If there were doubts, we have a worse team than the first 6, being at the level of some others, we are out of luck and we always play against more players.
– Another player out of the competition
– Europe becomes a mirage
So disappointed and angry. Especially after seeing his interview, ‘Arsenal need to show humility, they went a goal up but then they got what they deserved’. And Ferdinand says of his interview ‘what refreshing honesty’. Would have liked interviewer to ask about his drop to the floor in agony at end.
That’s the football season back!
I didn’t even bother watching Andrew..
Sue, I just wonder how long before fans get restless. Like you, I feel sorry for Arteta. Can’t be easy with what he’s been left and what’s happening on and probably off the pitch. I hope Arteta has broad shoulders and courage b3cause he’s going to need it i think.
Same old ‘big players’ letting the club down I think.
Rico.. your 5.43… that is exactly why I said I wouldn’t want his job.. the stress of it all… it’s bad enough watching as a fan..
Aww Coco has come to cheer me up 🙂
One bright spot in an otherwise disappointing afternoon was the way Rob Holding returned to first team action. Cool, calm and for the most part quietly effective. If he suffers no after effects of ninety plus minutes he could become the first name on the team sheet for the next game and many more to come.
Agreed Cicero.
Sue, the body language of Aubameyang and Lacazette suggests to me that they want out. How can any manager gee them up if I’m right. Injuries, under performing players or players who simply aren’t right for the challenge ahead is a tough nut for anyone to crack.
We really do need to offload a few this summer, regardless of how.
What a unit Traore from Wolves is! Came on in the 64th minute and picked up MOTM, if only we had a beast like that!
Now Bournemouth v Palace…
Rico.. People want results/success instantly… I’ve seen ‘Arteta out’ already online! I think some people genuinely thought he’d turn us into contenders overnight!! Poor sod, I used to feel sorry.for Arsene too….. it’s so frustrating and I think even if Pep came in, he’d struggle with this lot too!
Blimey!…………just seen that we are away again on Thursday, how do our cardboard cut-out travelling away fans afford it, especially if they have been furloughed!
😂😂😂 Le Coq!!
Personally I thought Gangs of London was the dogs doodahs!
You’re right, Rico, in all you say. We really do need a mass exodus… I can’t handle
much more of this rubbish… we’re already deep in the mire and imagine how much worse it’ll be next season, with all around us strengthening, we’ll be left even further behind and our closest rivals will be Bournemouth, West Ham and Palace (no disrespect 😁)
Palace 2 up, I knew eventually I’d see some decent football today 😂
Starting with Aubameyang and Lacazette Sue… 😂
I’ve just finished 13 reasons why on Netflix.
.. and cried like a baby (just like earlier at full time 🤣)
To be honest, Rico, at full time I’d have quite happily got rid of the whole bloody lot of them 🤣
You and me both Sue. Are you watching the news about Reading? Nasty.
Potter, tough call.
Ceballos or Elneny? Discuss
Yes, very nasty, Rico…. shocking!
Ceballos or Elneny…. i think Ceballos just edges it for me…
Got to pay Madrid about £ 10 million for another season apparently whereas Elneny is already under contract.
And just to add to our woes now the photos of Guendouzi grabbing Depauy’s throat have got out we can look forward to losing him for a while too.
I guess what happens to Guendouzi depends on what Atkinson says in his report. Hopefully he’ll say he saw it and felt there was nothing to penalise. Yeah right!
Ceballos or Elneny, ideally neither, in fact I wish we could sell all our experienced players, barring one or two and start with a whole new squad next season. Fed up with the lot of them
Morning all.
New post up.
Very disappointing all round.
The player that takes out our keeper scores the winner FFS???
Talk about rubbing salt into the wound!!!
I’d be looking to sell
Auba and Laca, and replace them with one young striker.
Potter, in no way am I condoning Guendouzis actions, but how much damage did he do compared the challenge on Leno?
One gets off Scot free, one goes for potentially weeks and we lose both ways.
Farcical.
Look how he went down after Matteo ‘grabbed’ him!! I’m not condoning what he did, but for a youngster he’s not afraid to get stuck in…is he our only player with cojones??!!
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there 🙂
Did anyone see the ring of fire solar eclipse?
Can’t see us paying 10m for another season long loan…. which is ok with me…but bringing Elneny back won’t solve our midfield issues either…. as it won’t cost though, it’ll probably happen!