Morning guys and gals.
Still chirpy after our performance on Saturday evening? Me too but the bar has been set. The Arsenal press, the level of commitment, the work ethic. We have seen our boys go toe to toe with a team which has caused us all sorts of problems over the last three years. We had enough chances to beat them too. Our next league game matters more now which is another home fixture against Wolves. We have to continue at this new found level of performance. Otherwise what’s the point of the last one?
I think we all pretty much agreed on who stood out against Liverpool, some of which were a pleasant surprise. Xhaka, Mustafi, the work rate of Ozil, Kolasinac on his return, Bellerín. I would say Torreria but we used to him playing at such a high level. Similar with Lacazette who might not always score but is forever working hard to do so for himself and others. Iwobi when he came on from the bench had an impact. A big one I’d say. I wasn’t overly impressed with Mkhitaryan, although other fans were. As for Ramsey, well I think his mind is elsewhere now he knows he’s leaving, and it’s showing in his football.
Their job is to give 100% for around 95 minutes a week. That’s it, well, unless we have two fixtures but even then, unless it’s a league game, Unai Emery rotates. The rest of their time at work is training which might be hard work at times, but should be enjoyable. After all, they’re only doing what most young people would love to do as they get older. Getting paid for playing a sport they absolutely love.
I know there’ll be mistakes, players might have an off day as we all do, that’s life but we know now what they can do when they all give 100% effort. I desperately hope this is where we are and where will stay in that department. We can still improve in other areas of the game of course and I know that because Unai Emery has said so. That’s what more time and new players added to the squad should bring.
Klopp – £300m and three years. Guardiola – £450m and two years. Unai Emery – £70m and five months.
Mourinho has spent nearly £400m since joining Man Utd and his team are still miles away from winning the league. He constantly moans about not having enough money for players too. Idiot!
That’s worth remembering in my opinion.
No, we’re not going to win the league, not in my opinion anyway but how good does it feel to be into November with it still being a possibility? We’re just six points off top spot whereas we’re normally at least double that at this stage of the season. So far, so good I say.
Something else to be pleased about from Saturday evenings fixture was the way the game was officiated. I still think Liverpool’s disallowed goal was the correct decision. A player can’t come back into play from an offside position and Mané was definitely offside during the first passage of play. Perhaps Andre Marriner was a tad lenient on Fabinho but for the rest of the game, I thought he was pretty consistent. He certainly didn’t fall for the play acting from the Liverpool players as they went to ground when the wind blew so well done to him and his assistants. It makes a refreshing change not to be left reeling after yet another bad performance from the men in black.
I bet Riley soon changes that though.
Finally, the women kept their winning run going yesterday with a 3-1 victory over Birmingham. They weren’t at their best and left it late in the game to get their goals. Two really good strikes and a penalty won the day.
Enjoy your Monday guys…
The whole debacle about the offside decision really comes down to a single point. Mane, who the whole world agrees was offside, runs towards the ball, Leno advances and then Firmino (not offside) runs past him and lobs the ball against the bar. Is Mané interfering with play? I would have thought it obvious that he is. Leno is initially reacting to him and Firmino presumably gives him a shout and runs close to him and past him.
The ghoulish ref that BT had earning a few quid in the studio was quick to judgement and stated that Mané was not active and therefore the goal should stand. How can he not be active in that situation. Leno reacts to him initially. How can he not be interfering with play?
That’s how I saw it Adam. The Bt ref was a halfwit- no wonder he’s an ex ref..
Good report rico, morning all.
Rico, I mentioned a week or so back, that I felt for the first time in years, we are getting a fair shout on decisions that AW never had. Some even incorrectly going our way! You said, judge after the Liverpool game. Well according to most ‘experts’ we got away with one (I agree with you and Stuart Pearce on TS that it was Offside). Whatever, it could have gone either way, and again its not against us. So strange that we finally just getting a fair shout!
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – There was much about Saturday’s game to be pleased about, but as you noted there are still areas where we could and should improve. The team are really starting to gel and play as a unit with little or no grandstanding. Players who are likely and expected to score are just as likely to turn providers. It will be very interesting to see who, if anyone, we sign in the January window.
As for Rambo, the team have shown they can survive and flourish without him. I’d prefer that he stayed at Arsenal, but as you say his mind seems to be elsewhere. Yet, being in the shop window he isn’t doing much to impress other clubs and managers. Unless he already has an agreement in principal, he isn’t doing the club or himself any great favours.
Morning Andrew, thanks. Yes, I remember you saying that now and you were spot on. Perhaps Riley was anti Wenger rather than anti Arsenal. Unless they’ve all been told to up their game, or they fear VAR exposing them.
Morning Cg.
I actually think we’re better without Ramsey.
Morning all.
For years, we copped the raw end of the stick from officials, for whatever reason.
We are having even luck atm and people are complaining.
Let them 🙂 🙂
CG, I saw a report today suggesting Bayern are looking at Ramsey,
That’d be interesting.
Ideally Ramsey will go abroad but for Arsenal, I think it’s better he stays in the PL because then we’ve more chance getting some money for him in January.
I reckon Everton might go for him, or Bournemouth.
Scott – Good evening. We’ve had had plenty of rain here this last couple of weeks. I wish I could send you some.
Interesting about your Bayern comment. Maybe that why he has been relatively anonymous and average of late. He’s not playing badly, but does seem to marking time.
Good morning everyone………..well, THAT was an improvement all round.
VERY pleasing, especially from a few players I’d been critical of.
I just love UE’s passion and enthusiasm as he engages with his players, from the technical area.
If he can keep this improvement going, I reckon we’re going to be happier Gooners in the not too distant future.
As for the rest, I think you ably covered pretty much all of the news Rico.
Morning all from the epicentre of sun and another fine post Rico.
If I was in cahrge of all refereeing decissions life would be easy !………………….any one in an off side position would be off side, it`s so simple yet the powers that be still want all this ……………not active…..phase one and two………..not interfering with play shit !………….make it easy for fcuks sake !………………he was fcuking off side full stop !
Now we I have quitetened down after an impressive draw, lets be real, we only drew !……………..beat them, chavs, Man C, Spuds, ManU with such a performance then the excitement will be justfied !
Honestly, I cant ever remember such a open top bus parade for a draw in my life as a Gooner !……………….please lets become Totnumb and make a video of it ! hahahaha
Andorra, it sure was. As I said yesterday, the tackle on Salah by Xhaka in our box summed us up I thought. As did Torreria sticking Mané on backside. Loved it.
Thanks Lc.
Good morning all and thanks Rico for the post, as good as ever.
Even a halfwit referee is preferable to some of the numbskulls masquerading under the auspices of Mike Riley and his PGMOL.
I like your optimism Rico, but having looked at the Chelsea and Man.City results winning the Premiership is beyond our reach, the best we can hope for is third and I would gladly take that right now.
It’s been a lovely Autumn morning here in Broadland, cool and sunny, but it’s clouding over now and there’s a hint of wood smoke in the air. Most of the apples are off the tree, the last of the blackberries are in the freezer, crumbles to come. Ah, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness..
Thanks Cicero. I don’t think we have a hope in hell of winning the league, but, what my post said is doesn’t it make a refreshing change to still be up there with the chance of doing so. Seasons before at this stage of the season we’ve been twelve or more points behind the leaders.
I’d be thrilled if Emery gets us a top four spot but equally, I won’t be too disappointed if he doesn’t. This season has always been abut steadying the ship for me and already he’s done far more than just that.
Rumours abroad of Ramsey to Bayern so maybe that will be the one .
As for refereeing decisions you only have to think back to to league cup final and the wrong sending off of Adebayor when in fact it was I believe Eboue.
Wenger got video evidence and went to the F.A and proved them to be wrong , they never gave him an even break after that.
HEADLINE :-
Wenger: Linesman lied to get Adebayor sent off in Carling Cup Final
By IAN LADYMAN
Daily Mail 01 March 2007
Arsene Wenger has launched an astonishing attack on the linesman who was involved in Emmanuel Adebayor’s red card on Sunday.
Adebayor was one of three players to be sent off in a 20-man brawl but Wenger is convinced the linesman who reported his player had punched Frank Lampard is a “liar”.
Read more:
• Match photos: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
• Dishonest! Wenger angered as the FA pile on charges
Wenger immediately went on the offensive and saved his most passionate words for the subject of the weekend’s Carling Cup defeat in Cardiff.
With striker Adebayor and defender Emmanuel Eboue both charged by the FA in the wake of the 20-man brawl that marred the end of the final, Wenger believes that his players have been victims of an injustice.
Adebayor has amazingly chosen to contest a charge of refusing to leave the field after his dismissal.
But it is his actual sending off that still incenses his manager and last night Wenger called upon Chelsea’s Frank Lampard to come forward and say whether or not he was punched by Adebayor in the melee.
Wenger said: “Adebayor did not punch anybody. I do not agree with the report of the linesman. For me, he lied.
“I would like to ask Frank Lampard if he has been punched. I want him to tell the truth. If he says ‘Yes’ then I will accept that.
“But we have watched it with a microscope. We do not see anything. If you can see him punching Frank Lampard then I would like you to show me.
“It is difficult for us to accept that he has been charged. Is it a coincidence that after a 20-man brawl only the Arsenal players were guilty?”
By accusing a match official of deliberately telling a lie, Wenger has now risked an FA charge of his own but that will not bother him
“It has been that way all season. I can show you a whole tape of them if you like.
He never was shy of pointing out the errors of their ways to the officials Potter. Most of the time he was right…
Hi CG, we’ve had some rain or late, but where they really need it, still very, very little so send away 🙂
Rico, on the balance of things, I’d rather Ramsey head overseas.
Rather he do damage to other clubs than ours.
I think we will nab 4th spot.
What are we to make of the latest wheeze to create more income for Europe’s elite clubs, A European Super League?
According to the German news magazine Der Spiegel, a number of clubs around Europe have been in secret talks to break away from their domestic leagues at the end of the 20/21 season and form their own super league. English clubs involved include Manchester City and United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The breakaway league will consist of eleven founder members and five “guest” teams. The founder members will be immune to relegation and will be given guaranteed membership for twenty years.
The other founder members will be Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, AC Milan and Paris St. Germain.
The guest members will be Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Inter MiIan, Roma and Marseille.
Participating clubs will be outside the control of their home Football Associations and will not retain membership of their domestic leagues. The Super League will not be affiliated to UEFA.
All of the clubs named deny any intention of forming or joining such a league. However, none have denied attending a meeting where, it is alleged, such discussions did take place
Scott, you reckon he’ll do damage then? 😜
Cicero, I read somewhere that Arsenal have no intention of joining this proposed breakaway group. Means we’ll win the PL at a canter each season….. 😆
I certainly don’t think such a league will do the game any good.
Cicero – The last paragraph of your 11:23 a.m. reminds me of the Ian Carmichael voice over prologues to the old claymation TV series of Wind in the Willows. Simpler times.
Cicero – This is not the first time a ‘European Super League’ has been touted. It always seems to die after these clubs squeeze some concessions from UEFA. Although the last time I remember it the clubs remained members of their respective FA’s and thereby UEFA.
If the clubs abstain from membership of their respective FA’s, UEFA, etc.; their players could find themselves ineligible to play for their national teams in UEFA/FIFA sanctioned tournaments. Also, ‘guest clubs’ that are dropped/demoted from the ESL would most likely have difficulty re-entering their regular home leagues. This create all sorts of problems with player recruitment and transfers. Sounds about as complicated as Brexit.
Although I dont want us to be in a ESL and disagree with such a format if it involves leaving the EPL the thought of The Spuds not being in it as they are not considered big enough to be in it or even in the guest group does feel me with joy ! hahahaha…………………………however, if it is a closed membership and runs alternatively to UEFA`s CL and we still stay in EPL then yes, as long as Spuds lose out !…………………..the indignation they would suffer would be taken to a new level and we would gloat with new smugness never seen in north London before !
CG, There are a whole host of reasons why the Super League is, probably, a non-starter. Not the least being the fact that the English clubs are contractually committed to The Premiership until after the end of the current broadcasting rights deal which runs until the end of 21/22 season.
Rico I would be entirely against the formation of such a league and, should Arsenal ever join such a league, it would end my wish to continue to be a Gooner.
Laca`s goal again………..
https://twitter.com/mohitprior/status/1059224565736337409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1059224565736337409&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycannon.com%2F2018%2F11%2Fvideo-the-15-pass-buildup-to-alexandre-lacazettes-liverpool-equaliser%2F
Cicero, totally understand that. I really hope we don’t entertain the idea. Don’t think we will though as it goes against Arsenals principles imo, tradition.
Can’t imag for one minute that Stan Kroenke would want us to try and go toe to toe financially with the ‘elite’ teams.
I agree absolutely that the referee did the best and the right thing by disallowing Mane’s goal. How can a player coming from an offside position be the fisrt to touch the ball that came from a team mate’s touch? I say team mate because the ball came off the bar when Mane put it into the back of the net, it didn’t come off Leno’s boots or gloves. There is nowhere in the laws of football that the post or bar is said to equal a man (or a defending player in this case).
The only people/pundits/journos who complained about the disallowed Liverpool ‘goal’ are those who wanted Liverpool to win and Arsenal especially to lose.
Mane was interfering with play, he was in the face of Leno so how could he not be?!
First phase, second phase, this isn’t rugby, he was offside when the crucial pass was made, the linesman allowed play to continue until Mane became active – end of fcuking story, get over it…
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico, thoroughly agree with your first paragraph, Wolves is vital to keeping us on a roll, they’re good, but the Spuds beat them and so should we, but first let’s put a dangerous and wounded Sporting Lisbon to bed, win the group and rotate in the last two group games…
Andrew, we have no idea how Arsene Wenger treated referees behind the scenes, maybe he was dismissive of them, I believe he could go ‘ into one’ in the dressing rooms.
Maybe the referees had more of an issue with ‘him’ rather than Arsenal, could be that Emery is more liked by them and they subconsciously give him a fair crack of the whip.
Whatever the reason, it makes a pleasant change…
Scott, I’m not sure that Bayern would pay the kind of package for Ramsey, that is required to persuade him and his advisors to sanction a move to the Bundesliga, sounds like agent rumours to me.
Afternoon Kev. I think my thought behind that was down to our past. One great performance followed by another ten poor performances, or something like that. I don’t think Emery will let that happen though, or at least he doesn’t seem to be the kind of coach who would.
For me he is off-side. The mean reason is. the ball comes from the bar and not from the goalkeapper. Mane was offside during the last shoot from Firmino and still offside, even the ball is passing to the back of Firmino and he wasn’t offside then, but the ball came straigth from Firmino (and in this time Mane was offisidee) and nobody touch the ball between the last shoot from Firmino and the shoot from Mane. So Mane, has benefited from his irregular position from the start to score the goal.
If Leno was touched the ball was a clear goal.
Morning all.
It was offside to the letter of the law, so those Scousers and critics wishing it wasn’t can do so all they like.
Kev, agent rumours-you old cynic hahaha
Ramsey will have a choice of plenty of clubs though, no question.
Rico-cheeky bugger 🙂 🙂
And Wolwes were scored a clear goal!
You are right Scott, I am a cynic, but less of the old… 🙂
.
Hahaha Kev,
How does “well experienced” sound 🙂
IMO Mane was onside but interfering with play so right decision…. get fucked scousers!
I like the last bit Lee….
Morning to you and all.
New post up now.