{"id":13250,"date":"2026-04-20T09:14:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=13250"},"modified":"2026-04-24T19:26:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T18:26:11","slug":"time-to-pin-on-a-pair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=13250","title":{"rendered":"Time to Pin on a Pair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Image courtesy of kribbox\/Vecteezy<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, what to make of that game? Prior to the match my only concern had been whether the real Arsenal would show up. The result is one thing but going gently into that dark night could not be countenanced in any way, shape or form. We had, I think it is fair to say, not done ourselves justice against Manchester City in the Carabao, against Southampton in the FA Cup or against Bournemouth in the Premier League. The first few minutes did nothing to soothe my nerves, early possession for them, a mistake from Raya, a chance that hit the post and a penalty appeal, (it wasn\u2019t but it\u2019s football and we have all seen more ridiculous decisions both for and against us). Nevertheless, I must own that that particular accumulation of early events all caused mutterings and palpitations of the unwanted kind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the team were made of sterner stuff and the next twenty minutes put paid to any concerns. There was no sitting back, we were true to Mikel\u2019s pre-match word, we were there to win and we played like it. We pressed aggressively, we got in their faces and we looked dangerous again from set pieces; all good things to see. Then we gave away a goal, to be fair, it was a very good individual goal; Cherki wriggling through several challenges and finishing well. However, I had barely begun to wonder whether that would prove to be a turning point when Kai smartly closed down Donnaruma and we were level. Fine work from Kai got a deserved reward.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will not give a blow by blow of the rest of the match as in all honesty we would be here all day. Much happened, and at the end of the day, the fine margins did not go our way. We all know the result, there were great chances, possible red cards, howls of anguish, tempers were frayed, etc etc  \u2013 in other words it was a high-level game of football. However, we stood up, we certainly did ourselves justice and I have no complaints. Instead, I would like to focus on a few other points and also share my own thoughts on where we are now, who they are and what next. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, why were we better than of late?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the first question that I asked myself as I began this report.  Was it the return of \u00d8de at No 10? Was it the selection of Kai up front? The move of Eze to the left-wing? Fighting words from Mikel? Who knows? Certainly not I, but whether it was those factors or others doesn\u2019t really matter.  We were much better, we made better chances, and could easily have got something from the game. I, at least, was encouraged and I hope the players are too once they swallow the disappointment of the defeat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Opposition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They played well, took their chances and got the points. Usually, as is our general wont on this blog, I would say fair play to them and move on. However, it\u2019s the word fair that produces the rub, they are not known as Cheaty, C115ty, C130ty, etc for no reason, our fans (and others) do not sing \u201cyou know who you are, you cheating b%!%*s\u201d for no reason. All that they have done is the fruit of a poisoned tree, a rotten tree with its roots firmly planted during the many seasons where they cheated, lied and defrauded all the clubs that played by the rules. They continue to lie and bluster because that is what they are – I know that, the PL knows that, all the fans from other clubs know that and even they themselves know that. In the circumstances, I cannot say fair play to them. Hopefully, the day will come when they will be held to account as I believe it must, but until then they are nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would like to see Bukayo Saka back as soon as possible and Jurrien Timber as well. But more than that I want to see the same attitude as in this game.  I read today that the last time we lost two league games in a row, we won our next eight. Well, that will certainly do very nicely for me as we seem to have about that number of games left if all goes well. Maintain the same attitude, get key players back and a CL \/ PL double is very much on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I haven\u2019t, in all honesty, bothered to read any reports \/ reaction on the game. No doubt, there will be much whining, defeatism and so on but now is not the time for any of that \u2013 yes, we have lost some games, \u2018 twas ever thus in football. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s time for some home stretch hustle – score the goals, win the games, take the glory. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Game Well, what to make of that game? Prior to the match my only concern had been whether the real Arsenal would show up. The result is one thing but going gently into that dark night could not be countenanced in any way, shape or form. We had, I think it is fair to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13250"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13250"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13255,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13250\/revisions\/13255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}