Morning all.
A quick update on our Champions League fixtures and who we play before and after.
Thursday September 19th Atalanta Away (between away fixtures against Totts and Man City)
Tuesday October 1st 2024 PSG Home (between two home games, Leicester City and Southampton)
Tuesday October 22nd Shakhtar Donetsk Home (between away Bournemouth and home Liverpool)
Wednesday November 6th Inter Milan Away (between two away games, Newcastle and Chelsea)
Tuesday November 26th Sporting CP Away (between home Nottingham Forest, away West Ham)
Wednesday December 11th Monaco Home (between Fulham away and West Ham home)
Wednesday January 22nd Dinamo Zagreb Home (between Villa home and Wolves away)
Wednesday January 29th Girona Away (between Man City home, Wolves away)
So we have two Champions League fixtures away from home before we play Man City in the league. If I was an old cynic, I’d suggest that was planned however, I’m not sure City are football’s favourites these day, not with the 115 charges hanging over their heads. In fact by the time the home fixture against City takes place, the outcome of that hearing could be known.
I’m not sure it makes a difference who we face either side of a Champions League fixture because there is no easy game in the Premier League, not any more. The travelling is more of an issue I think but that’s European football for you.
Totts were beaten by Newcastle yesterday before Liverpool thumped a dreadful Man Utd side. Three wins out of three has turned Liverpool into title contenders. I know, it’s ridiculous at this stage of the season. I wonder if Utd are considered one of the favourites for relegation are their poor start? Of course not although such an outcome would be hilarious.
The Declan Rice red card saga has rumbled on which is no surprise and the majority of the opinions are that the decision was a bad one. A wrong one too bearing in mind similar incidents go on in all games and go unpunished. I feel sorry for Declan Rice as it’s the first time in his career he’s been sent off and he’ll know his teammates will have to take on Totts without him.
One thing we do know is that the ten players fought hard on Saturday to secure a point when Brighton had the upper hand and whoever comes in for him when we face Totts will fight just as hard for three points. Let’s not forget, we have Jorginho to come in, one of our many defenders are more than capable of slotting into midfield and Raheem Sterling should in theory be ready to make his Arsenal debut at some stage of the game. There would be no better time to win any doubters over by putting in a great performance. The winning goal would be even better.
Then I woke up from my dream…..
Catch up in the comments..
I was chatting to a Liverpool fan in my cab shortly after the Euros had ended, the first 5 fixtures of every expected contender had been recently published in some article predicting how the league would look and I was talking to him about that.
Everyone and their dog was focusing on Arsenal and City but I’d noticed how winnable Liverpool’s opening 5 games were and I mentioned to my Scouse passenger that I reckoned that Liverpool would be top after those 5 games! That on the back of a new manager and inactivity in the summer window.
Maybe it’s Liverpool’s turn this season to be the main challengers to the artificial Mancs?
Morning Rico
From where I was watching on Saturday nobody expected the red card for Rice. The first instinct was that the Brighton defender had been given the yellow for violent conduct. The next was that both players had been sent off. The realisation that the ref had only carded Rice and sent him off was greeted with disbelief all round the stadium.
One of the worst decisions I have seen in a long time. The easy explanation is ineptitude and ‘following rules’. The tougher version is corruption. Referees are in a position to influence games with seemingly stupid decisions, which could result in financial reward via lucrative trips to the Middle East, for instance.
Brighton looked unlikely to score until the sending off. Playing 40 minutes with 10 men tipped the odds firmly the other way.
Remember the Van Persie sending off at Barcelona years ago? Arsenal were pushing Barcelona close at that point in the game, and RVPs sending off killed the game. That ref was found to be taking backhanders. A seemingly inept decision explained by simple corruption.
Good morning all.
Kev from yesterday’s post, in the first game or two fewer players tried influencing the refs and a number of those did were booked. Now both the players and the officials seem to have forgotten the new rules. Try counting the number of both teams players surrounding the ref during the Rice incident.
Cicero maybe Kavanagh forgot the new rule in his excitement at being able to help out his team, Man City, it’s easy to overlook things when you’re in the midst of cheating
I see that Arsenal have turned down a €35m bid for Trossard by a Saudi club, no wonder Leo looks miserable at missing out on the gravy train
You do have to wonder Pete ,
There is a bias caused by the regionalisation of the refereeing community . I have suspected that the playing field was not even but when I saw this https://shewore.com/2024/09/01/manchester-black-cartel-cost-arsenal-points-again/ it came home quite graphically.
The greatest number of the population of this country is in London and the home counties , but not 1 ?
We even have one from Australia.
My son and I always called it the M62 mafia and that was when Fergie ran the roost , I don’t know who runs it now maybe it’s someone in the middle East or in a betting office somewhere like Singapore.
I was amused to read Ten Hag’s response to questions about his teams dire performance at home to Liverpool, “I’m not Harry Potter”. Ha ha he’s not Harry Redknap either and from the “head in hands” reaction of majority owner Jim Ratcliffe, he may be joining Old ‘Arry in the ranks of the unemployed quite soon.
Hi Pete, all.
I think everyone watching would have been surprised, shocked even when Rice received his matching orders.
There must be referees south of the Watford Gap but perhaps they conveniently fail their referee tests. After all, can’t have levelling up in the game can we…
Afternoon Rico and all.
The refs that failed there test failed because they were to honest.
I wonder how many clubs have broken the FFP play hopeing to get away with it.
Good Afternoon Lady and Housers
Thanks for the post and fixtures Rico.
Pete, I have been banging the drum loooooonnnggggg before Covid. More than ten years ago in fact. Many housers, especially those who have been writing in this blog even before I began, can testify to that.. I follow Italian Serie A quite closely, the Maltese Premier football as well. And when you keep seeing and hearing the same things and observe patterns then you can easily conclude that even in the EPL, when a certain pattern emerges you can be 110% sure that certain decisions have been taken because of other things which influence it. Corruption can come in many forms. Not only money exchanging hands. It can be other things as well.
Its like a snowball effect. Wait till the first case is caught. Then it will come down with a domino effect or like a pack of cards.
Certain decision beggar belief when they are taken….yet they are never a surprise. Sometimes we know before the game itself that in certain situation the players give the ref a choice and he will oblige against Arsenal. even if it is blatant.
I can tell you this……if the refs take the correct decisions consistently wherever Arsenal are concerned, the chances are that this team can go an entire season unbeaten (if we take the chances that is).
Afternoon Geoff, Devil.
I think clubs which have breached PSR/FFP will be dealt with swiftly going forwards. City were/are different because of the large number of alleged charges.
Devil, much missed Adam used to say that there’s a big story out there just waiting for the right person to write it and yes, he was referring to the officials and their clear and obvious biases. In fact that’s the only thing clear and obvious when it comes to referees and the rules they choose to implement.
Chris Kavanagh comes from Greater Manchester and supposedly supports non league Droylsden .
Yeah right !
There is 2 ways I can see that will fix the issues with the refs / officals
(1) a break away league in that country
(2) top players refuse to go to that league unless they play for certain clubs that they know get well looked after.
it’s so important the premier league win the case against Man C or it will open the flood gates for many clubs to break the rules.
Dont hold your breath Geoff .
A bit like me supporting Reading Potter…
I’ve a feeling the PL won the first case City took out against Geoff, otherwise I doubt the second case would be going ahead as quickly as it is.
Afternoon rico, house. I thought that case City brought was going to have results weeks ago. Anyone know what happened?
Afternoon Andrew, nope, it’s all been kept quiet or at least I’ve not read about any result.
The trial will begin in September and a verdict will be reached around March/April of 2025 and then City will most likely appeal which will drag it on.
Reddit /Liverpool site.
to stop them appealing if they loose, warn them that every think gets doubled, and make sure it means dropping to 2nd /4th division.
I’m not 100% sure, but didn’t City take legal action against other clubs
I suppose much depends on how compelling the evidence against them is because even City might realise an appeal would be futile.
Morning all.
Good morning Rico and all.
Arsenal turned down an initial loan proposal from Saudi team Al-Ittihad for Trossard. The eventual value of the move would have been £30 million. But as The Premiership window had already closed Arsenal would not have been able to bring in a replacement until January.
Autumn is here, pissing down at the moment.
Morning Cicero.
I’m glad we turned the offer down as he’s one of our more clinical finishers.
Morning Rico and to all concerned.
There was absolutely no chance of Arsenal selling Trossard, even if it was money up front. Next summer though everything is up for consideration.
Morning Kev, yep, more departures next summer I’m sure. Jorginho, Zinchenko, Jesus and probably Kiwior. I reckon Martinelli might go too.
Tomiyasu too…
add Party to that list.
Morning Rico and all.
Hi Geoff, how could I forget him. 😝
Will need St Albans van hire to move all those possesions from London Colney
At least Kev would probably agree to drive it…. Lol
Guys, are you still having problems with the comments not reloading?
There’s an offer on the Travelzoo website for tickets to the Carabao Cup game against Bolton, just £119 each.
Mine seem ok Rico.
Blimey, that’s a rip off..
Thanks Cicero, mines not…
Yes the site loads then goes blank as the comments load seperately
That’s what it’s doing with me too.
A very kind man is looking at the problem..
Morning all,
12 days until the next Arsenal game and it’s Spurs away. I’m not any more worried than usual about that,it’s more the Atalanta game away on Thursday then the Man City game on the Sunday also away. Meanwhile City play at home on the Tuesday – how is that fair?Perhaps we might have some injured players back or at least Raheem Sterling available. He would have been a great signing 10 years ago ,at least he has experience of winning and should be motivated to get his England place back.
My grandchildren have been down for the week so I didn’t even see the Brighton result until Saturday night.
I’ve seen highlights now,how the Brighton player escaped punishment is a mystery. Also if the ref had no choice but to yellow card Rice how come he ignored the Brighton player kicking the ball away in the first half. Apologies,you’ve probably gone over that already.
A win against Spurs and I will be in a much better mood!
I’d feel a lot better if Rice was available for the NLD Limey..
Yes,
Jorginho and Partey I suppose fitness permitting,unless Arteta springs a surprise and plays Zinchenko or someone else in midfield.
Rico mine keeps asking me to join your site news letter so I can back issues other than that I had one go missing but seem ok.
Liverpoll has a better team than Arsenal and above all it has what Arsenal doesn’t have.
Morning..
New post up.