A Sunday post-prandial delight may be an inappropriately delectable way to describe the forthcoming visit of Sheffield United to the New Home of Football. I expect a torrid physical challenge from determined, muscular Yorkshiremen as we attempt to get the fusty aroma of two consecutive visits to Anfield out of our hair.
Talk of a match against Sheffield United brings a memorable moment to mind – from the 2003 FA Cup semi-final in which, in his 1000th senior game, 39 year-old David Seaman pulled off a wonder-save late in the game to ensure that Freddie’s 34th minute goal took The Arsenal through to win the cup final against Southampton. An unforgettable moment from an otherwise forgotten game.
The Blades have so far made heavy weather of their second season back in the big time having failed to score any goals in their first three PL games against the might of Wolves, Villa and Leeds. However, they did score one goal against Burnley in the League Cup. In fact, Sheffield United made plenty of opportunities in the Yorkshire derby, had 15 shots on goal and were denied a goal by poor finishing and world-class saves by the Leeds keeper. I hope that their poor goal-scoring record continues and that The Arsenal’s habitual generosity to struggling opponents is withheld.
Last season the Blades looked odds on to finish above us as we struggled to claw our way towards a place offering European competition but they faltered, as of course did we, in the final furlong. They finished a place below us in ninth, a very good season for a newly promoted side. That place was obtained through defensive resilience rather than offensive brilliance and their concession of 39 goals was bettered only by the top three whilst their identical tally of 39 goals scored bettered only four clubs, two of whom were relegated. The Blades average of nine shots per game last season was the worst in the PL, below even The Arsenal‘s paltry eleven.
Our re-introduction to the Blades last season took place at Bramall Lane on a bleak Monday night in October and ended in a 1-0 defeat during the downward spiral of Unai Emery’s team. It was described by the Guvna, in one of his last match reports, as “Punchless Gunners Humiliated Again” (https://goonerholic.com/2019/10/punchless-gunners-humiliated-again/). The game turned on Mike Dean’s decision at 0-0 not to award a penalty when Sokratis, goal side of Egan, was blatantly pulled back in the opposition box. Our performance was so flat that Dave observed that he “tire(s) of a team that isn’t playing a style of football the sum of which its individual parts should most certainly deliver much, much better”. That sums up where we were a year ago. How he would have relished the improvements since Mikel Arteta took over the reins.
There is a cautionary warning to that historical note. Sheffield United came into that game after three consecutive defeats with the label of “Relegation Candidate” hanging over them. On the other hand, The Arsenal, despite several disjointed performances, could have regained the top three place from which we had just slipped. As the Guvna aptly observed, “Welcome to a struggling side, The Arsenal, let’s gift them an opener!” Over recent years we have indeed regularly shown an inappropriate degree of generosity to teams on a bad run of form. Let’s not do that again, please!
Our opponents’ last visit to our place was in January during Mikel Arteta’s first month in charge. This was expertly described by Countryman100 in one of this site’s early match reports (https://www.goonerholicsforever.com/?p=159). That game was dominated by the defensive resilience of the Blades. We fought out a 1-1 draw taking the lead just before half-time through Martinelli after a move involving Laca and Saka. However, the Blades were yet again assisted by Mike Dean’s decision not to award a penalty for a clear trip on Pepe and the game finished with an 83rd minute equaliser for the Yorkshiremen to which we failed to respond. MA8’s teams have certainly shown much more resilience since the lockdown as his work on the training ground and on their psychology has sunk in.
We last met United in June in the FA Cup Quarter Final at Bramall Lane, a hard-fought match, well reported by Countryman100 (https://www.goonerholicsforever.com/?p=982). He described us as playing a fluid 3-4-3 with Saka moving between a midfield of Xhaka and Willock flanked by AMN and KT as wingbacks and a front two of Pepe and Lacazette. The Arsenal took the lead against the run of play, from a Pepe penalty on 25 minutes and dominated the rest of the first half but we were second-best throughout the second with high balls raining into our box. We were finally undone by a long throw and a fluffed clearance by Kola from which the Blades equalised on 87 minutes. The Arsenal defence then had to withstand a battering and rely on two good Martinez saves before Ceballos popped up in the opposition box to smash the ball into the goal with his right foot from close range in added time. This may give us an inkling of the nature of tomorrow’s game.
Against Leeds last week, the Blades lined up with three at the back, martialled by the able Ampadu with wing backs Baldock and Stevens thrown forward to pin their opposite numbers back. The former in particular regularly pops up in the opposition box. They have replaced last season’s excellent loan keeper from Manure with the so far equally competent Ramsdale, signed for £18m from Bournemouth.
Will the Blades be as offensively inclined on their travels or revert to a low block hoping to catch us on the break through Burke, McGoldrick, McBurnie or their shiny-new record signing, the former Liverpool and Swansea loan striker, Brewster? Sheffield United tend to flood midfield with hard-working scrappers like Osborn, Lundstram, Berge, Sharp and Fleck, several of whom have a modicum of skill. When they defend set-pieces we can expect a strict tight man-for-man approach with much grappling. They are hard to break down, as that goals against tally from last season attests. On the basis of precedent, we can expect a scrap with a well organised defence, few chances and an aerial bombardment when they venture forward, as they will.
What of The Arsenal’s worthy warriors? I find it difficult to predict our formation confidently, given that we have started with a back three for months but predominantly played a 4-4-2 in our most recent match and started with a flexible 3-4-3 that was pushed back into a 5-4-1 in the 3-1 defeat. I suspect Thursday’s flexible 4-4-2 is closer to MA8’s desired style of play than the 3-4-3 that he has used as a way of stabilising a ragged and demoralised group. In our last game, I particularly liked the way Willock and Saka got forward from ‘midfield’ positions to aid the attackers as we really haven’t seen nearly enough of that from our midfielders recently, and added muscle to the midfield duo when Liverpool had possession. I suspect MA8 values the ability of KT and Saka in particular but also AMN, Kola and Willian to move between positions as possession switches or as the games tactical priorities evolve as the game develops. I suspect it’s about players for Mikel, not formations.
The victory on Thursday will have helped to heal any psychological wounds from the ravaging by the champions last Monday and the change in personnel will have allowed some weary limbs to recover. Monday’s team may not have set the heather on fire but the players who lost 3-1 worked their socks off to try to get something from that game and will have benefited from the break. On the other hand, several of those who put in a full shift on Thursday will no doubt be knackered. Considering performances in those two games (the second for several reasons, not least the quality of the opposition, was clearly better), the players who played in each and the relatively short interval from Thursday to Sunday, I expect a team close to that outlined below, illustrated as a 3-4-3 but expected to play flexibly between that and 4-4-2 and all permutations between.
Leno
Holding, Luiz, Tierney;
Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, AMN;
Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Key decisions will be whether Gabriel who was outstanding on Thursday and combined well with Holding, gets the nod over Luiz or Gabriel retains his place with Holding dropping out for Luiz having played 90 minutes in both midweek games. I would be surprised if Ceballos dropped out for Elneny given how he re-energised the midfield as an attacking force when he replaced Elneny on Monday and I suspect that’s why he wasn’t asked to play the full 90 on Thursday. AMN gets the nod over Saka despite the latter being the more potent attacking force because Saka looked knackered and cramped up badly from 80 minutes on Thursday. Lacazette gets the nod over Nketiah because the latter played most of Thursday’s game and he will be keen to make amends for his miss on Monday. I hope he succeeds!
The Holic Pound
Much as I would like us to keep a clean sheet, sadly I don’t expect us to achieve that. In part because of our remaining defensive frailties but also because of our traditional generosity to struggling teams and the fact that despite failing to score in any of their three PL games this season the Blades were only thwarted by an excellent keeper on their last outing. We also have an excellent shot-stopper but we still have vulnerabilities elsewhere in our defence and on the law of averages the Blades are bound to score eventually. Nor do I expect us to find scoring easy against this team against whom we have hitherto struggled to score. Thus, I will lay the Holic pound on 2-1 to the good guys, currently available at 31/4 (bookies have clearly been working on their fractions since I was last in their shops). If you are more optimistic about our defensive capabilities, you can get 1-0 at 21/4 or 2-0 at 25/4.
Go blunt those Blades, Gunners!
Thanks Bath for the double whammy;
a fine preview and a chance to read
again The Guvnor’s spot on summary
of a woeful performance at Bramall
Lane (is it still called that?) last
season. We were terrible that night.
And not a lot better in the home game
but we did show more fight in the cup
game and I thought it was an important
win at the time. The same determination
should see us through this time and I
like the look of your suggested 2-1
though I’d prefer a one nil to The
Arsenal.
In a way the Liverpoo match suited
Leno more than the likely aerial
assault of Sheff Utd and I hope we’ve
done our homework on limiting the
supply lines.
The team looks about right though
I’d like to see a better performance
from Willian this week and I also
hope a rested Auba will be the
difference. COYGS!!
Thank you Bath for such a wonderfully detailed preview.
I had forgotten all about last year’s abysmal away performance in this fixture. As you said ‘Holic would have loved our nascent renaissance under Mikel.
As much as any new signings I am also looking forward a lot to Martinelli’s return to full fitness. Around this time last season in the early stages of the League Cup and Europa he started to really grab our attention. Those headed goals outjumping defenders a head taller than him, the nonstop harrying and pressing, the understanding with Saka and neat interchanges in tight spaces…
Your team selection is the likeliest. However I wonder if we might see a 4-3-3 with Ceballos as the attacking midfielder in front of Xhaka and Elneny.
Goals are hard to come by these days but I think we are capable of a 3-1 win.
Idly checking Sheff Utd’s PL results
since we beat them in the FA cup.
Played 9, lost 8, drawn 1.
Scored one goal and let in sixteen.
We broke their hearts with Dani’s
late goal.
I didn’t realise they’d been quite that
dire and so I’ve changed my mind.
Hit them early in these situations.
Win 5-0 and send them despondently
into a relegation-haunted winter of
discontent. A bit unkind of me but I
haven’t forgiven them for taking 4 pts
off us last season.
Scott Parker said Fulham need
a new centre back – I hope we’re
waiting on his doorstep this
morning.
A Saturday morning delight to read with my first coffee; a second post in a row from my hard working and learned friend Bathgooner. What a fine preview, beginning with tugging the heartstrings by quoting Goonerholic’s report on the game last autumn and ending with a good description of the current tactical fluidity that has us all staring at our screens trying to work out who is playing what role in the first ten minutes of a game.
I hope for Dani to start and for us to impose ourselves at home against a struggling side. We still feel, as fans, that we have problems at the back, but it was interesting to hear Jamie Carragher, who for all his one eyed descriptions of Liverpool knows a bit about defending, describing our back four in the league cup as “well drilled”, not a phrase used about our defence for many years. And that defence on Thursday had Kola in it! I do hope that he is packing his bags and has played his last game for us. I hope Gabriel starts, perhaps with Luiz and Rob if a three, or maybe just with Luiz if a back four. Saka or Pepe? I was less convinced by Pepe on Thursday than our worthy reporter, although he did produce one exquisite cross. Saka had a game with less game winning output than normal, although he worked hard in a free role across the attack.
I think we will keep a clean sheet and pop three in at the other end, to conclude a fine start to the season. Oh to be in North London tomorrow afternoon.
COYG
Thanks Bath for covering it all from every conceivable angle, on double duty with the excellent Dippers review and this Blades preview. My only contribution: beware the bite of the seemingly blunt Blades attack if we care to keep a clean sheet.
Oh Drats! Palace have gone and let the Chavs take their looming clean sheet.
Thoroughly good preview, Bath.
This will be a good test of our new found resilience. These are the sort of games that need to become routine wins.
If Gabriel plays, I think it will be instead of David Luiz rather than Holding, given the Brazilian is left footed.
Indeed both Brazilians are left footed.
But neither are as left footed as Pepe Ned
If we don’t get any new attacking midfielder does it mean a reconciliation with Ozil? I hope the club hierarchy don’t let Mikel down by failing to strengthen the midfield.
Good preview with some excellent observations and insights in there, Bath.
I don’t think we’ll see that back three though. I think Gabriel will play on the left of Luiz and Tierney will move out and up to the wing back slot to replace Ainsley.
IF your back three plays I think Saka will be introduced for AMN to add craft and help unlock a packed Blades defence. I don’t think this is a game that suits AMN’s talents.
‘Shiny new record signing Brewster’ put pen to paper too late to start the game, so Sheffield will need to put sheen on their blades by some other means.
@12 Keep the faith, Dr F. There will be one incomer, I’m sure.
Rather sadly, Ozil will likely be put in a red box marked “break glass and use in emergencies only”.
C100@11. Indeed. Both David Luiz and Gabriel can use their right legs for more than just standing on.
James is the best midfielder in Everton since Mikel left them for us. Has always been a class player and finally found a club in Europe where he can express himself. A super signing by Ancelotti.
BtM @ 14: Hope you are right. Otherwise it will be another case of so near yet so far which used to be the story with the lineup in Arsene’s later years.
I see Ozil and Matteo appearing prominently in training videos. Those who will remain at the club after the transfer window closes I am sure Mikel will get the best out of them.
Arsenal Twitter currently unreadable with anger over transfers (and I block the numpties). Keep the faith people. At least until 11pm on Monday.
Excellent work again, Bath.
I hadn’t actually noticed that Martinelli was back to full fitness. What with him, Edu, Luiz, Willian and Gabriel, the Emirates will be boasting more Brazilians than a Hollywood beauty parlour.
3-1 win for me – not daft enough to put money on it though 😉
Speaking of waxing, Leeds doing the same thing while Manchester City are waning at Elland Road. 😘
That game is like a basketball game. Scruz will like it. Sterling beginning to dive out of desperation.
Thanks guys. Enjoyed doing this preview.
@18 Trev, sadly Martinelli won’t resume full training until after Christmas – BUT – with all of these Brazilian players in the team you can expect to read some commentary on the Samba Band at the rear of Block 33 when fans are allowed to return.
If Denilson had the girls nipples rising like door stops, what will the scenery be like with four Brazilian’s on the field? 🙂 Book your tickets now!
An excellent preview Bath – it made a very good read. I don’t think you are far away with your suggested team and the 2-1 scoreline. The blades do lack a cutting edge but we are known for our generosity to those clubs struggling to score. In turn we do find it hard to create a great deal of scoring opportunities against opposition who defend in numbers and like to remind us it’s a “man’s game”!
The lack of new signings will be a great disappointment if that transpires to be the case at 2300 on Monday. I suspect not only is it an issue of limited finances but also the number of non qualifying players in the squad. I think Ned & the monks have already alluded to this – without offloading some of the deadwood we have no space in the squad for new signings.
So far it seems only LT11 is on his way and some of those who could do with a new opportunity are still here viz Sokratis, the Faltering Fullback, Mustafi, and even Elneny has returned to swell the squad. Ozil & Guendouzi will be remaining as unwanted guests as well.
Here’s hoping our good mood of a magnificent win against the blades on sunday is not assuaged by our failure to strengthen by monday evening. Whatever the outcome we at least have a great manager looking after fortunes of the team for the forthcoming period.
Bath,
I decided to take a short break from friendly debate because it became anything but I must congratulate you on a highly detailed and accurate report from Anfield and a very comprehensive preview here on tomorrow’s match. In the Gooner published today a number of us antiques have recounted previous home matches against the Blades. They have brought some very different styles of team to play us over the years and they are are a tricky prospect coached by the underrated Chris Wilder .
As Countryman points out there is much anger over the lack of action in and out of the club and a potential midfield of Xhaka and Jorginho is enough to make grown men cry…in slow motion . While Btm rightly reminds us that KSE suggested they would not spend profligately they need to think of stumping up for Partey’s release clause as it might be the considerably lesser of two evils.
Anyway tomorrow I’m primed to do the report and expect to be reporting on a slightly laboured 2-1 win .
Nice preview Bath. I must say, I agree with BTM and that Gabriel and Luiz will both play. I also think that KT is far better utilised as a full back. Get the selection right and I would hope for a convincing Arsenal victory.
I’ve seen the updates re lack of transfer activity and the potential loss of certain targets. There’s still 48 hours to go but I fear a major meltdown. Time will tell I guess but it is all just so Arsenal.
Excellent preview Bath
Early goals the order of the day on Sunday, as Utd will be setting up very deep much as we did at Anfield.
On team selection, i very much doubt Gabriel will play after 90mins on Thursday, i expect it to be Bella/KT/Luiz and bob a job Rob, as per Monday night.
Laca/Auba Willian up front.
3 points a must as we go into another pointless Int’l break.
As for transfers, or the lack thereof, for what it’s worth, i did note that Partey was nowhere to be seen in the Athleti squad in 0 – 0 draw against Villereal today.
Lyon play on Sunday, so will be interesting to see if Aouar is in the squad, given the stories around that he is staying put.
re my previous post,
I should clarify, that whilst I acknowledge that Rob played both Monday and Thursday, I feel he is more advanced fitness wise than Gabriel, who hasn’t played much football in the past 6 months.
With only 48hrs turnaround, it’s probably a line ball call.
Clive
Partey started for Atletico and I think he had 110 touches today .
https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/noticias/here-s-our-starting-xi-vs-villarreal
Maybe we should put in a bid for Thomas? 😉
Apologies for my blooper.
I just looked at the lineup.
I was looking for Partey.
I have given myself an uppercut.
😞😞😞
I noticed Rennes took Rugani
on loan. Maybe Saliba will go
elsewhere?
Clive,
Easily done ! No need for self- flagellation. This window needs to turn around quickly because it is starting to bear the hallmarks of a really disappointing situation and one that raises doubts about whether Edu can handle this vital aspect of the job . We must sell several players and we absolutely have to get in one high-quality midfielder at least . The seeming unsellability of our players is extraordinary
We are down to the last 36 hours of the transfer window. We must shed 3 NHG players before we can bring one in. In addition there’s probably a ledger book showing the cash balance that must be reached to meet the fees and salaries we could pay. It is not yet impossible but it is appearing increasingly difficult for us to achieve the significant upgrade(s) that our midfield requires.
I see that those who have been awaiting the Messiah whose name they would have barely recognised or even been able to pronounce 6 months ago are now wailing, nashing their teeth and renting their clothing. It’s probably just as well for the poor lad in question because crucifixion would have been awaiting him had he not proved to be the all-conquering miracle worker that they had built him up to be.
Ho, hum.
33 year old Edison Cavani, not wanted at PSG, looks like joining Man Utd on a two year deal, no doubt on hefty wages. A good strategic move or a complete waste of money?
yes, one of the two C100 😃
Thanks Matt. Incisive punditry!
Bath.
Less than 36 hours to go and the window is looking like a total shambles. We all know where we need to strengthen but it’s not looking great. Is Partey really one of the missing parts of the jigsaw? If yes then just pay the release clause. We’ve got £20 million for Martinez that we would never have seen if Leno had not got injured. There are numerous still on the books being played big bucks but clearly not in the mangers plans. I don’t want to pre judge but it’s already looking very Arsenal.
Apart from the many still at the club that should have been shifted ages ago, our current net spend in this window is apparently £7 million. If stuff does not happen by tomorrow evening then major questions will need to be asked.
West Ham looking good at Leicester, and they were quite competitive the last two times we played them. Is it their new cadre of Czech players, Leicester on a bad day, the absence of David Moyes, the mystery factor, or a combination of all of the above?
A bit of class from the club.
Nice to see
Cheers Bath!
Four at the back. Eddie leading the line. Creativity in midfield with Dani and Saka. It’s an attacking line up.
Kolasinac not in squad. In the departure lounge?
I think it’ll be the usual 3-4-3.
Surprised to see Laca dropped
as he’s scored in the first 3
games
Xhaka dropped? Times are changing.
@39 bt8
Definitely one of those five factors
or possibly another one
You may be right Matt. We’ll see!
OM@43: If it is a back three, then it is entirely left-footed — David Luiz, Gabriel and Tierney. The order the names have been listed in on the club site hints at a starting back four. But I am sure there will be the usual fluidity between the two formations.
Willock for Kola is the only
change to the squad from
Liverpoo last Monday.
Makes sense to have a more
attacking option.
On the NHG point, it is not an employment requirement but a Premier League squad regulation. If Ozil and Guendouzi have been frozen out, then don’t register them for the league squad, and, voila, room for an incoming NHG.
@49
yes could be Ned and I’m sure
they’ll be switching it around too.
Possibly a 4-4-2 as well
A rainy Emirates it looks like.
Hope it’s a hard rain for the
Blades
COYGS!!!!
Smudge says it’s a back four with the ball and a back five without.
After the City game, Leicester were expected to thrash WHU but the opposite happened. In this League there is no easy game, something our team must not forget. Teams sitting back and playing on the counter have been doing well especially when they get the first goal. Very important to start well and score first. COYG.
Nketiah needs to improve his first touch.
Nice preview, Bathgooner. I am surprised Saka is playing as he looked totally knackered on Thursday.
Good chance for Eddie that.
wake up Luiz
Luiz dead lucky there. Definite free kick and yellow, borderline red. Nothing given.
It’s shaping up much as expected leavened somewhat by our silky and rapid probes forward down the left.
Too many loose passes.
Luiz better since his early
slip
Blades giving Saka a good kicking
Stupid pointless foul on Saka,
should have been a card
Good shot Auba! More please.
That was a red! Studs up above the ankle.
Auba injured though I hope not seriously. Reckless lunge by the United player.
Bad foul on Auba and Berge
had the cheek to complain
about his booking
Hope Auba is ok.
On his feet now
Not a half to live long in the
memory.
Usual struggle to create chances.
Watched the game on my mobile and I’m not impressed, apart from Auba shot we look very ordinary, I wonder sometimes why is there no urgency in these lads. Passing is slow and movement even slower, yes we had possession and passes but bugger all to show for it. There is no hunger there and no plan to the game itself…. need a massive improvement in the second half!
Lovely move. So close.
auba an inch away, nice ball
in from Dani. More of that please.
Pepe to come on.
For Willian I assume
Very lackluster from us.
Pepe on for Nketiah. I thought he would replace Willian.
No, it’s for Eddie
Auba to go central I suppose
They will be happy with a point. We need faster movement of the ball, not the slow movement.
Saka!!!!!
WOTTAFUCKIN’GOAL
Lovely lovely goal!
Me too Ksn
Saka!!!!
He can bury headers as well!
Finally found a way. AM is happy and Saka does something significant every game. Well taken header.
Hope we find more space and score a second.
Pepe! 2-0
PEPEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Pepe!!!!!!
What a turn of pace and buries it in the corner.
@80 ksn
Your wish is Pepe’s command
😄
2 good finishes and the game is turned on it’s head.
Time now to get a 3rd, then a 4th, and then a 5th…
Second half going a bit better so far.
The United right back is kicking Saka every time he gets the back and the fat slob of a ref turns a blind eye.
Wasn’t that nice of Pepe, OM. I am sure everyone of us enjoyed it. Pepe’s pace has made a real difference.
They continue to kick our players under the ref’s eyes and all he does is talk to them.
Auba needs to score one.
Ceballos does put in a shift and looks a little tired but satisfied as he makes way for Xhaka.
Game management time.
They get a great one back. Shit.
Knickers. Ten minutes to protect the win now.
We haven’t really learnt how to kill the game and here we have given them a way in. They are bossing possession too.
McGoldrick was given too much space and time for that goal. After all the earlier work too! It’s that easy to lose a goal.
How have we made this into a struggle????
AMN on for Saka who scored here and was also called up to the national side. A great week for him.
Three points and a hard earned victory. Great result.
A fine win. Not pretty but we did the job with a couple of moments of quality.
Good work, Arsenal.
Now over to the negotiators. Some quality work from you now, please.
Again we look ordinary but two great goals win the game.
3 points. But very average indeed.
31 hours left. I think there needs to be some action.
Didn’t enjoy the last 10 so much
but three points so ok
2 good goals as well
Congratulations on bringing home the ‘holic pound Bath!
And I nicked the ton to go with
my earlier 50
Since the restart seven games played (including the Community Shield). Six games won. One defeat away at Anfield. Gritty.
yes, spot on Bath 👏👏
Pure fluke Gents, I knew it was going to be tight and a low score. I was praying for the clean sheet at 2-0.
Well in for the ton OM, a worthy Tabs from C100 and good call on the ‘Holic pound from Bath.
An un-inspiring match but the 2 goals worthy of victory.The squeaky bum time at the end we could have done without. The blades never an easy watch at the best of times. Dani MoM in my opinion.
Let’s now see what the executive are made of with incomings & outgoings by tomorrow evening.
Willian more down the middle, Saka to his left, Pepe to right and Auba in the center looks more potent against low blocks. Could be a fruitful formation against teams like this but when we are set up more for counter attack Laca at false nine and Auba on the left.
Well in the ton, OM.
Good call on the ‘holics pound, Bath, but it should have been 2-0.
Interesting game management at the end, presumably on Arteta’s instruction, for Leno to hit long goal-kicks rather than play out from the back to keep possession.
Pepe’s goal showed that he needs to be given more opportunity to run at defenders. Tired legs won’t be able to stay with his pace. Too often he was passed to when his only option was to pass backwards.
Gabriel is starting to look like a real player.
Coming to think that Elneny and Ceballos are our most effective midfield double pivot. Good games from both today but we still need to upgrade.
I agree with all that Ned @108.
I never like to see Tottnumb 4-1 up at half time, but if they must do so, I can think of no better place than at Old Toilet.
FOYS COYG
Does Maguire sport the 5 in prediction of the number of opposition goals?
Pangloss @110, you define my feelings precisely.
Well in OM for the half ton and the ton. You are in top form.
Man Utd getting creamed by the swamp dwellers 1-6.
Our next three games are Man City, Leicester and Man Utd who are all strengthening except for us. I am not very hopeful of any meaningful signing and if we were to get Jorginho, it will be terrible. Arteta said that he would get the owners support but he doesn’t know these owners.
Will Solskaer get sacked?
I do hope not. Not until we’ve played them in four weeks.
I have completed the report but failed to congratulate Bath on the Holic pound triumph ( I agreed the prediction myself so was too modest to mention it )
I also left out criticism of the tackle on Auba. On a wet pitch against arguably the fastest player in the PL I thought it barely merited a yellow. It was an honest attempt to win the ball but a bit high . Game’s gone soft .
We don’t want OGS ( Bilbo Baggins) sacked …ever.
Pochettino will come in if he is .
Saw this tweet
So Liverpool have sold Brewster, Solanke, Ibe, Ward and Lovren for £82m and bought Thiago, Jota and Tsimikas for £72m. A profit of £10m. How does that even happen? Incredible business.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>