Morning all.
The results at the weekend certainly did us a favour. West Ham lost, Wolves drew and so did Man Utd. Chelsea must be kicking themselves for dropping two points, as for Utd, well, they just kicked out at the opposition. I think it’s safe to say that we can expect some similar treatment on Thursday night. Interestingly, Ronaldo started on the bench, something which he wasn’t happy with according to reports in the press and after the game he stomped off down the tunnel without shaking anyone’s hand. Bless him eh! Not!
Chelsea bossed the possession stats with 66% and had twenty odd shots at the Utd goal. De Gea was in fine form apparently. If Chelsea want to pip Liverpool or Man City to the League title, they’ll need to be more ruthless in front of goal.
If Arsenal want to finish in a European spot, they too will need to be more ruthless in front of goal, something which Mikel Arteta is well aware of:
Yeah, after the 2-0 we know we have to go to a different level as a team. We gave too many sloppy balls away and weren’t organised in the press and we allowed them to run a few times and it created a different feeling. That’s the moment that we have to give even more, and go for the third or the fourth and make another step forward. We had moments in the first half when we took the game where we wanted, but without really hurting them enough, and not playing with enough urgency and probably quality as well.
It’s a discussion which isn’t going to go away anytime soon in my opinion. Arsenal need more goals. I understand why Mikel Arteta stands by Aubameyang because I’d imagine he hopes that one or two goals from the captain would kick start a goal fest but honestly, I can’t see it happening. If he was 23 years old with all the talent in the world, then yes but we’re talking about a player who is coming to the end of his footballing career. The Premier League is unforgiving. It’s harder than any other League in the world in my opinion and Aubameyang isn’t cutting it anymore. His body language tells me that any fight he one had has gone and his confidence has gone with it.
The Utd game is going to be tough both mentally and physically. Mikel Arteta has to go there with a squad of warriors. Players who will battle hard for every single ball and Aubameyang isn’t one of them. Unlike Lacazette, who is, and Martinelli. Honestly, I think if Aubameyang starts on Thursday, it’s advantage Man Utd. Martin Atkinson is the referee for this fixture by the way, with Andre Marriner on VAR. Oh goodie!
Lastly, a huge well done to and Arsenal and Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema who has been named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2021. Utterly deserved in my opinion.
It’s a bit unexpected to be honest. It’s pretty cool to win something like this, and with the fans voting it’s extra special. Miedema told BBC Sport.
Is she kidding? It was only a matter of time before she was voted footballer of the year. In fact I’d say this should be her second or third by now. Miedema has been fantastic for both club and country for a while. Just a shame Mikel Arteta can’t slot her into his first team. 66 goals in 75 appearances would go down nicely.
See you in the comments.
The real bad news is not Ragnick rocking up as manager but Atkinson( who hates us) being put in charge of the fixture & the icing on the cake is Andre Marriner in charge of VAR as the back upjust in case Atkinson slips up & forgets to stitch us up with a dodgy decision.Expect no favours & at at least one vital match changing decision to go against us.Mike Riley’s little welcome gift for Ralphie.
Think we are all resigned to that scenario Uwot . Old Trafford the scene of Riley’s greatest injustice it’s a S**t fest waiting to happen.
Watching yesterday McTominay is the new Scholes going around thinking he’s hard and Fernandes and Fred could get jobs at the national theatre,
We are up against it before we start.
I would like a win but would take a draw now now if it means no sending offs , but I am not convinced that it won’t happen.
It was always going to be Atkinson…
I’d take a draw now too. But we can win and if we don’t give Atkinson a decision to make, he can’t make it.
Good morning Rico and Everyone.
Contrary to the consensus here I don’t think ManU are impressive enough to overwhelm us and all, if feel if we get a draw it will be as a result of the cheating us for it. We can and will possibly beat them.
Morning Mexzy, I too think we can we win. As long as everyone turns up in the right frame of mind.
we don’t give Atkinson a decision to make, he can’t make it.
He will probably make one up .
Then VAR should intervene. Hang on, it’s Marriner.
‘evening all, as Jack Warner used to say.
McTominay is not the only one who likes to put it about a bit, that clumsy sod Fred does it too and Fernandes is a greater diver than Grealish. But I’m sure Mike Reilly has marked Atkinson and Marinner’s cards so all three will be given a free pass.
Ah good old Dixon of Dock Green. They don’t make them like that these days.
Rico is there any laws to say we can not drop Auba and transfer Vivianne Miedema in January to replace him
The strike rate of Miedema is undoubted in her own field and as much as I believe that it’s great fun to make spoof comments ……………….. seriously ?
Would she be as successful against Ramsdale or other keepers at his standard.
I have to admit that I don’t watch women’s football but it’s becoming harder to ignore as the television slips it in to their schedules and local news programmes but the one thing you have to notice is the standard of the defending and goalkeeping in particular any shot in a top corner is virtually guaranteed to go in.
Anyway that’s my take on it and I have a pack of baco foil with me so I can make a hat should I need it.
Yes Geoff and the physicality of the Premier League is much greater than in the women’s game.
Absolutely agree Potter, Arsenal could do with a player with her kind of stats and that’s as far as it goes. I think you’d be surprised at the standard of the women’s game, especially the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. They face each other in the FA Cup Final which I believe is this weekend. If you’re snowed in, take a peep.
New post up now