Well they were never going to fit, were they? While Emperor Spursyo claimed to be looking for something free flowing, colourful, exciting and, of course, not too expensive, he was persuaded to go for something with a very fixed structure, dour, boring and, despite that, fashioned from the most expensive fabric. He squeezed uncomfortably into the new outfit for a few months, but then a scratch here, an itch there, several awkward wriggles and one final, unbridled exhale and the whole lot burst and fell off. Just like it had, incredibly like it had, eighteen months before.
Emperor Spursyo does indeed run the most “new clothes” club you could ever imagine. Best new stadium in the world (we’re repeatedly told) with it’s very own brewery, cheese room, longest serving hatch in the world, an enormous cock on the roof, and an even bigger one at centre forward, but no trophies – well an ex-Gooner did win them one and got fired for his trouble – absolutely no football success. At all. It’s a shame the Emperor has sacked his latest tailor – I thought he was fitting him up good and proper.
Update: their managing director, Fabio Paratici, has now been handed a ban by FIFA and is barred from all football activity worldwide for 30 months following his part in the false accounting judgement against his old club Juventus. Looks like the wheels have now joined the clothes in falling off!
But enough of them – and enough of the Interlull as there it goes …… unloved by many, unwanted by most – except for some, probably mostly younger players – and unappreciated by almost everyone as yet another untimely interruption to the important stuff. The final Interlull of the season, thank whoever you pray to!
It’s a term we nearly all use these days but what exactly is an Interlull? As if we needed it in this of all seasons, it is a gap, a temporary halt to the domestic season, in order that our most prized, most talented, most pressured players can travel thousands of miles to play against Andorra, or Liechtenstein, or San Marino in some qualifying rounds to the main event which, this time, is the European Championships. I think. Or is it the Nations League? Or does the one now lead to the other? If anyone actually knows, congratulations are in order, and a request to leave a very (really very) brief explanation in the drinks.
What it really is, of course, is another chance for all our Premier League rivals to grab their most important players another couple of weeks of rest and recuperation on the basis of various spurious injuries, while Gareth Southgate runs the legs off Bukayo Saka, or flies Ben White all the way to Qatar to leave him on a bench and then fly him, humiliated, all the way home again. Oh, and money. Of course, money, as UEFA and FIFA contrive ever more ways to wring the very last drop of blood from the football stone.
It seems that Martin Odegaard is thankfully and somewhat miraculously okay after Man City agent Rodri’s failed attempt to bring his season to a premature end. The Spaniard also took out Kieran Tierney a few days later but the only report I have seen said that Kieran’s early departure from the pitch was not likely to result in an injury. Surely, Pep wouldn’t instruct his player to do that to our lads out of pure desperation? No, I thought not too. Bukayo Saka also appeared well enough after two more games, a brilliant assist and a world class goal last Sunday. I’m actually writing this on Wednesday/Thursday and there don’t seem to be any other rumours of new injuries to Arsenal players. Thomas Partey is in full training and deemed fit.
William Saliba will apparently miss out this weekend so Rob Holding, who had a very good game before the break, will fill in again. There is worrying news on football.london who are reporting that Saliba has an ongoing back problem that might require surgery. It remains to be seen whether the injury can be managed through to the end of the season. Surgery now would clearly mean an early end to his season. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s knee surgery has already decided his fate until June – something which is complicating the Saliba situation as Ben White is now our only functioning right back.
What the Interlull must not be allowed to be is an actual lull in our hunger, intent and impetus as we begin the run in to the end of this amazing season. There are just ten to go. Ten cup finals which will include games against four of the top seven and five relegation contenders. So no more lull and let’s get Inter them …. Sorry! All equally testing games in my opinion, and starting this weekend with Dirty Leeds.
So, why “Dirty Leeds”?
To be fair, I don’t think Leeds have been particularly dirty for a good many years, but for those of us who remember them from the 1970s, they will always be Dirty Leeds. Under the management of Don Revie, the spine of the Leeds team consisted of Jack Charlton, Norman “bites yer legs” Hunter, Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles in midfield, and even Mick Jones up front could look after himself, as they say.
In case there are any readers young enough, or older ones domiciled in countries far enough away, that they are unfamiliar with some of the goings on in the 70s, here is some footage of Francis Lee in altercation with Norman Hunter in a Derby v Leeds match in the 1975-76 season. Again, to be fair, Lee appears to be the aggressor here, but it followed a typical Hunter challenge which “Franny” found unacceptable, shall we say …
https://youtu.be/QALdVum0xEk
The sharp eyed may have spotted dear old Charlie George behaving impeccably, Commentary by John Motson, RIP.
And here’s Johnny Giles letting Kevin Keegan “know he’s there” –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BWAL7ADsi0
Leeds come, of course, from an uncompromising corner of the country in Yorkshire. A friend of mine moved to Leeds and asked his mate why the locals kept sticking two fingers up at him. Not wanting to hurt his feelings his friend said it was a form of respect and acceptance for newcomers to the area. “Oh”, said my friend, “that’s good ! A van passed me by this morning and I got a wave from the driver that suggests I’m already half way there!”
The friendly, helpful folk of Yorkshire have their version of the famous saying –
Red sky at night Shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning Shepherd’s warning.
Leeds version –
Red sky at night T’ old barn’s alight. Red sky int’ morning Bugger’s still burning.
The Teams
Leeds announced Javi Gracia as their new manager in the third week of February after seven games without a win under Jesse Marsch. Since then they have beaten Southampton and Wolves, drawn against Brighton and lost to Fulham and Chelsea. They sit currently in 14th place with 26 points from 27 games and a negative Goal Difference of -9.
In case anyone had forgotten, we are top of the league, say …. with 69 points from 28 games and a positive Goal Difference of +40.
In the wake of their financial crisis, Leeds were relegated from the Premier League in 2004 and the turbulent state of the club saw them drop again in the 2006-07 season into League One. They made it back into the Championship in 2010 and finally returned to the Premier League in 2020 after a 16 year absence. The last 5 games since then have seen 5 Arsenal wins at an aggregate score of 13-4, 0 draws and 0 Leeds wins.
It’s very unlikely that Mikel Arteta will deviate from his usual starting eleven at this stage, unless he feels Gabriel Jesus is ready to start. That will presumably see Leandro Trossard drop to the bench – a tough choice as he has done extremely well since his move in January. Nice problems to have though. Assuming all the Interlull bumps and bruises have repaired sufficiently, and considering the news above, I think we will see –
Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus / Trossard, Martinelli
Leeds will be without Tyler Adams, Max Wober and Willy Gnonto. Adams has had hamstring surgery and is most likely out for the season. Javi Gracia has ruled out the other two for this weekend due to their respective hamstring and ankle injuries picked up on international duty.
The Holic Pound
It’s no surprise that we’re heavy favourites to win this one – Paddy Power are offering 1/4 on the Arsenal win, 9/2 against the draw, 9/1 against a Leeds victory. Slightly better prices are 15/2 on a 3-0 home win, or 24/5 for Gabriel Martinelli to be first goal scorer- those with Midnite and SBK respectively, although both mean nothing to me, I have to say.
Ticketing at The Emirates
There has been considerable consternation this season at how difficult it has become for non-season ticket holders to secure tickets. On the official website the club is claiming to have cancelled almost 2,000 memberships for touting offences this season. I did see online that they have also trapped thousands of “bots” that have been buying up tickets for resale abroad, with ordinary ground tickets going for up to £1,100 or £1,200. Is this the modern, inevitable result of success, or an embarrassing failure of cyber security on the part of the club?
Almost Finally
Congratulations to Arsène Wenger who was inducted to the Premier League Hall of Fame this week, along with old adversary Alex Ferguson. It seems they now get on well enough to have dinner together – pizza, perhaps? I was surprised to see that Arsene actually managed more Premier League games than Ferguson and had an admirably comparable record considering the gulf in resources. Although Ferguson won more titles than Arsene, he never went unbeaten – an incredible feat, as he recognised – and Arsenal were the only team to score in every league game in an entire season, which they achieved in 2001/02.
The Match
Kick-off is on Saturday 1st April, 15.00hrs, at The Emirates. There is no live UK TV coverage, again!, it being a Saturday afternoon, so good luck with the stream hunting. Referee is Darren England. VAR is Craig Pawson.
Try to relax, breathe and enjoy ……….
Thanks Trev, nostalgia, jokes and insight all rolled into one preview.
Absolutely Fabulous review Trev
Almost as good as the TV show. !!
Unless there are injury niggles we don’t know about from the Internationals, the team you name should run out at the Ems.
Another must win game which should be straightforward against an at best, a workmanlike Leeds team.
But as we saw with Bournemouth, when is any EPL game easy anymore.
Early goals to settle any nerves would be advantageous, but if we have aspirations to finish top of the pile at seasons end, then this must be 3pts.
No idea of the current status of Saliba’s back, but I would worry about Holding in my backline at Anfield against their pacey forward line next week.
Fingers crossed.
Talking of nostalgia, I don’t have any for the live TV ban on Saturday afternoons. Reminds of the ridiculous pub licensing hours nonsense we had to put up with for about 50 years too long.
Looking forward to the game though and your team looks about right to me Trev. I’m guessing a start for Jesus and Tross off the bench but that’s just a feeling……
I want us to shred Leeds 5-0 and think we can, but of course any win and moving on will do fine,
Great stuff Trev
Cheers Trev!
I lived in Halifax for 2 years some time ago, circa 97-99. Joined the Yorkshire Arsenal supporters Club and used to catch their coach down to home games, starting out from Leeds Station, calling at Ferrybridge Services, Doncaster, Peteborough and then dropped off and parked up at (what was) The White Horse in Highbury Quadrant.
When I joined I thought it would be all southern exiles like me, but not a bit of it. At least 80% were dyed in the wool Yorskhire types; “Cooom on t’Gunners” and “Go on Dennis lad” used to ring our from the seats around me. Got to know a few of them quite well and their stories as to why they became Arsenal rang a bell with me, as I don’t come from North London either. One lad said it was the 1972 cup final on TV when he was about 6 years old. The family had just got a colour TV and he liked our Red & White kit. Said his Dad and elder brothers took the piss out of him so much that day that he told them he was always going to support Arsenal from then on. And so he did. Lost touch with them after I moved on, but bumped into a load of them at the League cup final in 2011 in a pub in Harrow. The only good memory of a pretty shit day out.
Nice preview Trev. I think your team will start but I don’t think this is going to be as easy as some think. Gracia is a decent coach and he has now had time to work with a pretty decent squad who were underachieving this season. Expect the now frequent massed ranks in defence and the quick breakouts.
I hope the more negative rumours about Saliba are wrong. It would be nice to have him back for the games against the Bindippers and Oilers.
Top-notch, Trev. And they will always be Dirty Leeds…
Great preview Trev. To me also they will always be dirty Leeds. In our game at Elland Road before the World Cup, if truth be told we were fortunate to win (Bamford missed a penalty in injury time). Let’s hope they’re not the same away from home.
Amusing, fact-packed, appetizing preview Trev! Thank you.
Every match would be an event unto itself. It’s own universe. Only that match exists in time and consciousness. Prepare for it completely, give yourself completely to it, enjoy each match fully. No dilemma, no doubts, no anxieties …
The team still mostly picks itself as mentioned. I suspect Trossard will continue to start and Jesus to come off the bench later in the second half.
Come on Arsenal!
Great preview Trev
2-0 will do for me if it’s in our favour . I fancy Liverpool to snatch a draw . That would put us ten
Points ahead having played one game more . I’d start to dream
Their team in the sixties at Leeds was pure filth . Studs up and let’s get going . Always Dirty Leeds from then on
Great preview Trev and amusing stuff about that continually failing outfit up the road. Thank Betsy that lull has passed. 3 points must be won. COYG!!
Cheers Trev. Enjoyed the Spursyo preamble too!
Esso, YASC forever. 😉
On my way to the station and, hopefully, and my way to three delicious points.
Thanks Trev,
Nothing to like about Leeds.
2-0 will do.
UTA.
Many thanks Trev for your preview full of humour and good sense.
Like others here of a certain vintage, Leeds were a horrible, dirty team in the 60s & 70s – Dirty Leeds will be their tag forever. As Bath says they have a much more savvy coach and I expect a tough game – they are scrapping for points at the wrong end of the table. A 2-0 win will be good in my books ( any win in fact will do very nicely ) .
COYRRR
Just remembered…my first Arsenal match actually was against Leeds. But not as long ago. They had Gordon Strachan playing for them.
Leeds gave us a good match at Elland Road and may very well do the same at the Ems. An early goal for our side to calm the nerves would be quite the thing.
Thanks all for the kind ones !
Ten to go – and Leeds owe me for some horrible Wembley memories a long time ago. Never forgotten….
Been awhile since I wanted the mugsmashers to
win. Since the CL final against the spuds I
think. Still that one worked out ok
What made Revie’s Leeds so despicable was that it was talented enough not to have needed to play like that.
Johnny Giles was a quality player, but also hard as fucking nails. Made Souness look like a choir boy.
Saka injured?
No on the bench
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Jesus
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Walters. Kiwior, Jorginho, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nelson, Saka
Trossard on the right? I am a bit confused here. Maybe too much pre match beer so far
Saka’s not a bad option to have on the bench if we need him, and we probably will.
Confused? You and the opposition both hopefully Esso. 👍🏼
Heh!
Back to the offie for more beers. Have a sneaking feeling it could be one of those sort of games.
Yep. Told you Liverpoolwoukd ge5 a draw . Yeah..right
@TTG they were pretty average exactly as I expected. Their goal completely against run of play. Good news is if they plan at that level against us next Sunday, should be the same sort of result for them.
Take a 1-0 to the Arsenal at half-time and glad Jesus has got the ‘he aint scored for how long!’ monkey off his back.
Get in Jesus, a striker’s goal. On for a hattrick
We’ve got GRANIT Xhaka
We’ve got GRANIT Xhaka
What Esso said
We missed Saka badly in the first half, luckily we got the the break with the penalty and that settled the nerves. A bit unlucky for the clean sheet but 3 points and an improved GD
trev, thanks for a fine and funny preview. up and beyond your usual standard.
we came out in the second half with a vengeance. peter drury’s “gorgeous arrogance was back, and their goal was a moment or three of lapsed concentration. one of the few times this year where our players didn’t take responsibility for each other. still, a real rarity this season, and even then it took the deflection to beat ramsdale.
how good was mø’s ball for xhaka’s goal. top, top qualitee. and martinelli’s for benny blanco had eyes to make it through to #4. wonderfully spotted by gabi.
welcome back, jesus. just before easter you’ve risen again, your first was always a penalty and your second a perfect example of the give and go. carved them apart like an overcooked ham.
9 more.
Result.
And a strong retort to City’s result.
Esso@20: So were Bremner and Hunter.
The highlights reel for this season has some totally banging goals to show.
@36 scruz yeah, Jesus Lent the score line some respectability 😀
Anyway, good if expected win (we were brilliant of course);1 down, 9 to go.
We were somewhat lacklustre in the first half and I thought we were fortunate to be one up at half-time with a pen against the run of play. Leeds made the better chances in the first half and we can thank Ramsdale for keeping them out with a couple of good saves. I thought we killed the game with Bennie Blanco’s cracking goal so early in the second half after yet more mazy stuff by Martinelli who was on fire all game. I couldn’t see Leeds coming back because their heads definitely dropped after we went two up. The third certainly clinched the three points after good work by Trossard and great anticipation by Jesús who it would be great to see getting back on the goal trail with which he began the season. Sloppy defensive work gave Leeds a brief moment of hope before Xhaka scored a beauty to keep our goal difference just two goals inferior to the expensively assembled etc ((c) of Lonestar Gooner).
If we can win at Anfield we will take the Oilers on with confidence and I will really believe that this exciting young team will get the trophy their play deserves.
Yep, fair assessment, baff. Ramsdale’s saves in the first half were crucial. And I think next week is massive.
An interesting take on things this season…
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/apr/01/gabriel-jesus-has-the-spellbinding-quality-that-keeps-everyone-watching
I am not sure I entirely agree but I see where he’s coming from
OM@44: I know what you mean. Liew asks the right question but does not come to any particular answer.
Arseblog notes the remarkable stat, for a striker, that Jesus has missed more penalties in his career than he has scored. The monks count six scored, including yesterday’s, versus seven missed.
Glad I didn’t know that before he took the ball.
Saka would have taken if he had been on the pitch presumably.
Good win again today for the Arsenal Women, 2-1 against Man City. I hope it is a sign.
I didn’t know that about Jesus either! I was thinking that was good captaincy by Ode at the time but now I hope we never do it again!
Takes the tap in.
Rodgers gets the tin-tack at Leicester.
Ben White is becoming like Nacho Monreal. He consistently plays at such a high level that you lose sight of how good he is.
Well in Ned!
I didn’t know about that penalty stat either. I wasn’t confident, but if I’d known, I would have been even less so…
It seems to a tin tack twosome with Potter following Rogers out the door.
A well-taken tap-in Ned
>>>>>>>