In recent days and weeks, we have seen how media driven narratives can take hold in a title race. Arsenal have spent the majority of the season so far sat at the summit of the Premier League table. Since a 2-0 win over West Ham on 4th October, we have not yet been prised from our perch. This year we have been the team to chase as opposed to the chasers.
Such a position seems to invite itself into talk of a potential “bottling” from certain dim-witted individuals holding dangerous power in terms of fuelling whatever narrative has been decided for that week, usually every bit as obnoxious and poorly argued as the one which preceded it. We sit six points clear of Manchester City, a very healthy position to be in with 13 games to go. This time last week we were also six points clear. But despite that, this week’s Sky Sports narrative “argues” that following Manchester City’s win at Anfield, Arsenal will be looking over their shoulders. This is despite the previous week’s narrative which “argued” the title was essentially wrapped up for Arsenal. So, a week later, we hold the same numerical advantage with one less game for both sides to play and yet if you were to listen to these narratives you would be led to believe that Arsenal are in a weaker and more precarious position to the one, they were in a week ago. So, there we have it.
For us rational folk (and we are in a dwindling minority these days it seems) we know better than to listen to such dross. And one would suspect that is the same of our players and manager. To Brentford we shall commence our latest battle on our quest for the title on Thursday night. They will provide a stern test; we can be sure of that. Probably sterner than that of Leeds and Sunderland. A tough place to go for Arsenal perhaps. That’s what the TNT commentator on Spurs vs Newcastle last night said. Let’s have a look, shall we? What’s that? Arsenal winning on each of their last four visits to Brentford? But that doesn’t tally with what the “expert” commentator on TNT said! How can that be? It’s almost like these people are told what to say regardless of the relationship between their pre-determined narrative and the truth.
I’m not saying Brentford are not a decent side. Far from it. I am merely demonstrating how football analysis is increasingly driven by whatever will get the most clicks. We are all bored of hearing pundits talk almost entirely in soundbites. It’s almost like they are trying to get as many viral clips for social media as possible. Well, that’s exactly what it sounds like. In the UK, if you subscribe to Sky and TNT, you are more than likely paying over £100 a month to listen to these absolute chancers. Is that value for money? Increasingly, these broadcasters and media outlets (mostly digital but now increasingly in print too) are seemingly catering to an audience that isn’t interested in detailed analysis but more into much shorter sensationalist quotes and clips that can be shared and LOL’d at 10,000 times a minute. Because an oddball with a mic’ shouting expletives and poorly thought-out nonsense at a camera gets more revenue than a pundit sharing his or her rational analysis based on the facts and what they have seen and not what they’d like to see. There is no place for rationality in football anymore. Not if you want to make loadsa’ money anyway.
I suppose we just have to block out the noise. That’s one good thing. We can choose not to listen to these people. When you watch tomorrow’s game on TV you can choose not to tune in for the baseless pre-match analysis, you may even choose to watch the game on mute which is a shame but sometimes it has to be done. When you are scrolling X (formerly known as Twatter) you can simply choose to scroll past the 38-year-old basement dweller screeching “Arteta owttt” into his mic’. And as for the players, they are professionals who are attuned to this sort of thing. Do your talking on the pitch and let the Mancunian has-beens and never-were’s boil in their jealousy that they don’t have an ounce of the talent Arteta has.
But that’s quite enough moaning from me. This will be a big test, but I think at this point we are all confident we can and will overcome it. Brentford are in serious contention for a European spot, currently sat 7th on 39 points, hilariously level with Liverpool. Following on from the departures of Bryan Mbuemo and Yoanne Wissa last summer many, including me, expected them to toil in the relegation battle especially as this was coupled with the departure of manager and lifelong Gooner Thomas Frank to Spurs. I wonder how he’s getting on? Silver Member Frank was replaced with Brentford’s set piece coach, Keith Andrews which raised many eyebrows indeed. But the Irishman has proved everybody wrong as Brentford look set for perhaps their first foray into the continental stage. Just as well Heathrow’s only down the road.
In terms of team selection, we can expect a strong side given Sunday’s FA Cup tie at home to Wigan will provide much opportunity for rotation. This would be my predicted lineup.
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel Hincapie
Zubimendi Rice Havertz
Madueke Gyokeres Martinelli
Trossard seemed to pick up a knock in the closing stages of the 3-0 win over Sunderland, but it looked relatively minor. Even so, I don’t think he will be risked. Martinelli is a more than able backup. Arteta said today that both Saka and Odegaard will have late tests on their fitness so perhaps they will be on the bench. And I think Gyokeres will start given the excellent form he’s been in.
My Prediction is a hard fought 2-0 win on the road.
COYG!
Thanks 21cg for your fine preview and anti-anti-Arsenal meedja diatribe. Come on the professional performance 🎭 n this potentially tricky fixture, and the three points to the Arsenal. 💪🏻
What bt8 said @1.
I would add to your list of broadcast alternatives one in a language you don’t understand. Here, a VPN or a stream is your friend. You still get a sense of the flow of the game. The commentary might be just as inane, but you’ll never know.
And now the Ginger Nut has got the heave-ho at Forest. It’s getting hard to keep up!
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c98p80g568do
Thanks 21CG, your side looks fine to me though I wouldn’t be surprised if Ode or Saka start. Or if Martinelli starts on the right after Noni’s struggles on Saturday.
Maybe Cala will start again in defence too.
1-0 to The Arsenal will work fine for me.
I weep not for Dyche of course but I believe that if Forest
had scored from one of their 35 shots, 10 on target, 3
big chances then Dyche would still have a job today.
Seems an odd way to run a football club to me. Marinakis
will apparently set a PL record when he appoints his 4th
manager of the season. I am available for a fixed fee of
2 million quid for the rest of the season – no refunds.
Nice piece, 21CG.
To Ned’s comment on preferred viewing/listening strategy, I have recently taken up BtM’s suggestion of muting the box and lining up the visuals with the .com commentary. It’s a bit fiddly and does mean that you’re a tad behind live but it’s a small price to pay for not having to listen to the compulsory vacuous Manc drone/Scouse whine offered on Sky, or the likes of Don Goodman with his “I’ll tell you what I want to see rather than clearly whats actually happening” approach on TNT. Co-comms are often done by Adrian Clarke, who is genuinely insightful and pretty honest. There’s an old-fashioned concept. Likewise David Hillier.
Thanks 21st
I’m happy that Goonerholics is as close to social that my media consumption gets so don’t therefore have any problem with commentators or pundits. White noise.
Looks like the NLD will present us with another “new manager bounce”, not for the first time this season, but not one that I’m much concerned about at this stage. Not that I really care but it might be good for the Spuds fans if they got relegated this year. It might be a wake up call for the owners and they might stand a chance of winning some games in the Championship, although maybe not!
As for Dyche, and those before, why would anybody seriously believe that the manager’s job at Forest is worth the stress and aggravation of working with the owner?
I wonder how much longer Edu will survive.
As for Brentford, I don’t mind them as a club and I don’t mind Andrews either, he seems a decent sort. I hope we smash them. 2-0 will do fine.
UTA
Cheers 21CG.
What Noosa said (the various things).
Though not sure we will keep a clean sheet tonight, but any kind of win is pretty much vital.
Last time around, I watched a match on mute. French commentators used to be less irritating, but these days I find them poor. I might have said that already, I can’t remember. They are not necessarily anti-Arsenal biased, just inept.
And unfortunately, the ‘crowd noise only’ option that was operational over the last few seasons has become unavailable on Canal+, so it’s either bear them or cut the sound off completely.
I relate absolutely to your negativity on both the pundits and ‘X’, 21 CG, while at the same time, I’m reassured by your positivity on the likelihood of an excellent outcome in the land of Bumble Bee and the Stingers.
On the former, I’ll bore you by endorsing again the merits of Clarke & Roebuck, preferably a few seconds behind the game – have your own opinion on an incident than have it validated or reality checked a few seconds later by your mate Clarkie while the crowd noise reverberates absent of Mancunian, Liverpudlian whine.
On the latter, there isn’t the remotest doubt that tonight’s game is a real toughie and, having looked forward expectantly to the return of Havertz, news of another muscle injury is devastating. This should be the hour when cometh the man Eze. It would be fantastic to see Ebr play at the height of the standard of which he’s capable as a free roaming 10. I’d bite off any available hand for the 2-0 win you’re predicting. May your prediction bear fruit, ripe, mature and juicy, of which a sip leaves those bees well and truly stunned.
NLFE
Cheers 21CG. Exactly right – we just need to focus on what our club is doing, and ignore the rest.
I like Brentford. Excellent club. And I do think this will be tough. They are very solid at home. But I also think we are the best team in the league and this is the sort of game that champions win. 2-0 sounds good to me.
No Havertz though. As I have finally taken Saka out of my FPL team, he’ll probably start and score a couple. If he does, you’ll know who to thank. 😉
Superb preview 21CG. I fully concur with your observations on the mainstream sports media and your team, though clearly you were writing before the news on Kai. I will be delighted with 2-0 but expect it to be hard won. I will be seeking a stream on my I-phone tonight so any recommendations are welcome.
Ange has pretty much nailed it in his latest public statement: “I felt like Tottenham as a club were saying, ‘we’re one of the big boys’, and the reality is I don’t think they are.”
How could they be a big club considering what their former managers think (Thomas Frank would agree 100%, methinks).
bt8@13: Ange is falling in line with our countdown clock.
Cheers 21CG – a super preview. It made me chuckle as I thought it was only grumpy old men who despair at the standard of football commentary and punditry. Most of the are atrocious, none more than that Arsenal hating Manc*, exacerbated by the awful whining tone to his voice. Commentary immediate turned down. * There are more than one Arsenal hating Mancs of course, all from the Slur Red Nose era.
Onto tonight’s match as many have already commented that it will be a difficult encounter but the team will be up for it – they have a massive objective to prevail right through to season’s end and Mikel will be relentless with them.
COYRRR
Fine preview 21 CG
Two weeks ago we said much the same about our trip to Leeds . This was going to be the moment when Arsenal haters will rejoice . Leeds at Elland Road – a tough one . Well it wasn’t . Brentford might be tough but as 21 CG writes we’ve beaten them regularly in recent years .
Every title chase is a wild ride and this will be no different but I believe we can win it . Saka , Odegaard and Trossard have travelled but I suspect they will start from the bench . This could be a night when Gyokeres and Eze prove their prize tags were very good value
Keep the faith Holics !
Thank you 21CG for an excellent preview!
And a thousand thanks to TTG for your generosity in offering to help me out for the Sunderland match review and then the great report in quick time. Sorry didn’t get a chance to write earlier.
We just have to find ways to win. Given the injury situation, my preferred starting line-up would be:
Raya
Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Calafiori
Eze-Zubimendi-Rice
Madueke-Gyökeres-Martinelli
I will stick to my recent favorite 2-0 prediction for the mighty Arsenal! Clean sheet is where it’s at.
Come on Arsenal!
Raya,
Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie
Rice, Zubimendi, Eze
Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard
Bench: Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus.
Saliba joining Havertz off games; Saka and the skipper back on the bench.
Great header from Noni but a bastard of an equalizer
and now maybe Ode hurt again.
That long throw is murder unfortunately, have to win the headers
Fair result. Brentford were excellent. We didn’t make the most of good positions and some of our passing was poor. On the plus side, it was Gyokeres’s best all round game for us. 4 points in front at the top of the league. Not bad.
Not sure if we saved a point or dropped two, there. Heck of a game!
Tough time to play them, take the point and move on
A quick reminder to all GHF Predictathon players: the current matchweek does not end until after our rearranged game against Wolves next week, so no leaderboard update until then.
Credit to Brentford, they probably deserved more than a point. I’m really disappointed with our performance tonight.
I agree with the praise for Brentford .
They were a real handful and we deserved no better than a draw .Keith Andrews will start appearing on the sought after young coaches list very soon.
Let’s hope Odegaard is not seriously injured. He brought organisation and creativity to us tonight in equal measure . Eze was again so peripheral.
Mosquera and Rice both made great defensive interceptions tonight .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>