...::[The Footy Desk]::... (Part 2)

[Eutyphro]

However mediocre Reiss Nelson might be, I don't think he's worse than Willian. Willian contributes absolutely 0. Lacazette and Auba are sh*te, but at least I can remember a recent time where they showed good things. Willian should be playing in China or something, but not at a top side.

But tbh Auba might be done. I'm not sure this form he has can be turned around at all, maybe he's just too old.

Edited December 6, 2020 by Eutyphro

[Lonely-Martin]

Can't lie, buzzing after that. A derby win is always a good feeling regardless of where the teams are in the league. 

 

Anyone looking at playing Man City, Chelsea and the gooners in a row would be right in thinking that's a real dangerous spell, but 3 clean sheets and 7 points from 9. That's a pretty good return. 

 

I'm starting to really come around on Dyer being a centre back and Aurier has shown much maturity/improvement. Ndombele too. Course, having such class forwards is always gonna give a team a chance at scoring when chances come. Kane and Sonny baby!

 

47 minutes ago, Eutyphro said:

But tbh Auba might be done. I'm not sure this form he has can be turned around at all, maybe he's just too old.

Played for the big contract (or big move), got the big contract, then looks at Ozil sitting pretty, lol.

 

Though it doesn't help when playing for a team struggling creatively. Not including today as the gooners did have opportunities, that said, Auba wasn't at the races as he gave up possession for our opening goal and missed a decent heading chance.

[Laker23]

It's literally always the same with Willian. If his contract is running down he'll miraculously actually start giving a sh*t and contribute pretty well. Cons the team he's good, gets his new contract with a pay rise and then goes back to being can't be arsed Willian.

 

Every time. 

[Girish]

18 hours ago, Laker23 said:

It's literally always the same with Willian. If his contract is running down he'll miraculously actually start giving a sh*t and contribute pretty well. Cons the team he's good, gets his new contract with a pay rise and then goes back to being can't be arsed Willian.

 

Every time. 

Well, only 2 more years for Willian to hit his peak then. You're welcome, Arse.

[Laker23]

1 hour ago, Girish said:

Well, only 2 more years for Willian to hit his peak then. You're welcome, Arse.

I know Willian seemed to like you guys but I bet the large majority are incredibly happy with the result.

 

Absolutely fleeced Arsenal. I don't know what they were thinking.

[Jason]

I've heard pundits and fans banging on about how they can see what Arteta is doing at Arsenal but as far as I can see the only thing he's done is make them worse.

 

Also, it is mind blowing to me that we've had such a poor start to the season winning like 1 game at home but we were 2 points from top after our game with the same amount of games played. Anyone could win this year man, anyone at all.

[TheSantader25]

Arsenal is basically Chelsea's retirement facility. Cech, Luiz and now Willian. It's insane that they keep repeating the same mistakes(though I shouldn't be talking about mistakes considering the state of my team). 

 

I expect Tottenham to have problems with teams who don't fall into their trap later in the season and I suspect Chelsea may have some ups and downs in the end of the season like last year. City aren't looking convincing IMO. United though significantly improved still are somewhat away from being a title winner team but they are on the right path . So I still think it's Liverpool's to lose but it won't be a walk in the park like last season. Top 4 will be tight though. 

Edited December 7, 2020 by TheSantader25

[Eutyphro]

Pepe however inconsistent he may be at least creates danger occasionally as opposed to Willian who: doesn't score, doesn't dribble past anyone, doesn't make dangerous passes, thus contributes 0. There's no reason to play older players that contribute nothing when you have young players that though inconsistent at least have potential. Also Ceballos needs to start every game.

[Laker23]

Raiola is such a sleezeball.

 

I honestly can't wait for Pogba to leave. I just worry what we will get in return.

Edited December 7, 2020 by Laker23

[Lonely-Martin]

Yeah, there's no way my Spurs are winning the league, lol. We'll get found out soon enough. A cup? Maybe. Certainly our best bet anyway. Top 4? We're definitely in with a chance I feel.

 

Though that said, Chelsea didn't fall for it and they weren't exactly supreme in attacking us with all their attacking talent, so even if teams do stop our counter, it reduces their attacking potential. And the other teams like Burnley and West Brom did well to stop us too, but we patiently persisted and got the points there too.

 

Liverpool will breeze it though. With all those injuries and still smashing teams, can't see anyone get close. Our unbeaten spell ends when we play 'em for sure.

 

Chelsea have such attacking potential and that team will only gel more as the league goes on I think. Plus I just feel Lampard is made for management in that job, I can see him there for years to come.

 

City will be there or there about for sure. It's between them and Chelsea for 2nd.

 

But I do believe United will get stretched thin if they don't buy plenty in January. They wanted so much to rest Fernandes against the hammers but couldn't, that could catch up with them, Pogba is just too inconsistent (and gotta go). Plus it's like they aren't training and need the first 45 minutes to get going too, sooner or later with that approach they'll come across a team that'll kill them in the first half and shut them out in the 2nd. Ole really isn't the man and is a bit naive too, looking at that with Fred for example, so should have been subbed as PSG were there for the taking. He looks so out of his depth in the job.

 

But whatever Arsenal are doing, keep it up. I know the season started later, but seeing them in such a bad position in December is just bloody awesome. 

 

They remind me of what Spurs were like for so long, a comfy London team to play for, make good money, and no real responsibility put on the players to do more for each other. As said above, it's become a bit if a retirement home, lol. Partey should have been left out yesterday as he was clearly not fit and playing could only aggravate his issues, plus he should have fell down rather than walk off pitch.

[Eutyphro]

I think I rate Chelsea higher than City. City has trouble scoring goals and misses David Silva. I think Liverpool is going to struggle a lot due to the lack of summer break. Tottenham is definitely in there as long as Kane is fit, which is a massive if. Ultimately I feel as though it's between Pool and Chelsea tbh

[Jason]

44 minutes ago, Laker23 said:

Raiola is such a sleezeball.

 

I honestly can't wait for Pogba to leave. I just worry what we will get in return.

He's a rat.

 

Pogba just got him self a goal and a bit of form and sure it's been expected he may leave either in Jan or (more likely) in the summer but there's absolutely no reason for Raiola to come out and say this now. Absolute rat who is a nothing more than a perfect example of everything that is wrong with modern football.

 

Pogba's time at United since returning has been a shame but the only reason why I will be happy to see him go is because it means we get that fat rats influence out of our club.

[TheSantader25]

A shame that Haaland has that c*nt as his agent as well. I really don't understand why top players like these types of agents. With the ridiculous money that they force teams to pay for themselves as commission, they even make transfers harder than they already are. Not to mention f*cking up the teams' spirit so...I really don't get it. WHY?

Edited December 7, 2020 by TheSantader25

[Jason]

8 hours ago, TheSantader25 said:

A shame that Haaland has that c*nt as his agent as well. I really don't understand why top players like these types of agents. With the ridiculous money that they force teams to pay for themselves as commission, they even make transfers harder than they already are. Not to mention f*cking up the teams' spirit so...I really don't get it. WHY?

He's the best agent in the world at getting the best deals for his players and it's sadly as simple as that. The issue is is that he has zero regard for the clubs or the fans, absolutely zero. He is also well known as someone whose players have a tendency of lasting 3-4 years at most at a club before moving on, so this is all pretty much bang on schedule. Pogba will be well aware of what he's saying before he says it too, but he'll stay very quiet on it all no doubt.

 

When Fergie and Gill left we got in bed with the super agents cause we were desperate for top players and it has ended poorly every single time. Hoping that once Pogba goes Woodward learns his lesson and doesn't deal with the Raiola's and Mendes' of the world ever again.

[TheSantader25]

Weird penalties given against us, Bad defending and poor finishing. That sums us up this season. One more goal and we're 2nd and potentially out already considering the quality of the teams we might face. 

 

The PSG game though. Mad stuff. 

 

Edit: yep it happened. I don't think we deserved to lose 3-0 but we always concede goals we don't deserve this season. I don't know when this team is gonna make me smile again. But I'm gonna wait as long as I have to. 

Edited December 8, 2020 by TheSantader25

[Lonely-Martin]

From the 4th official at the PSG game if I heard that right? That's crazy to hear of.

 

And United 2 down, oof! It'll be a quite a memorable 2nd half if they get out of this one.

 

Dang! So close too.

Edited December 8, 2020 by Lonely-Martin

[Jason]

Well, if history is to repeat its self for the nth time, at least we'll demolish City.

[Lonely-Martin]

Gah! 2 points dropped. That Palace keeper did well today, lol.

 

Could be worse, Chelsea losing was a good opportunity but a point is a point, but gives Liverpool some real incentive now. We'll do well to get even a point there. 

[Lonely-Martin]

Nice one Fulham.

[TheSantader25]

I think I know how Tottenham can win the league. I'll place a gamble on Liverpool for every game until the end of the season and they eventually will get relegated. 

[Eutyphro]

With the schedule Liverpool has and the lack of summer break, them underperforming is not that surprising. But even an underperforming Liverpool is still title favorite.

[Laker23]

Fair play to Fulham, they've been a lot better in the last three games and are certainly getting rid of the 'whipping boys' tag they had earlier in the season.

 

All in all a pretty meh week for the top clubs this weekend. 

[Jason]

Deary me, Arteta. Deary me.

[Lonely-Martin]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

Deary me, Arteta. Deary me.

 

Can't help but smile.

[Jason]

On 12/14/2020 at 12:09 AM, Lonely-Martin said:

Can't help but smile.

 

I am just completely and utterly baffled by the backing he receives in the press. All the blame seems to get put on the players with absolutely none on him.

 

If Emery was 15th there would be pundits going wild about how he needs to go.

[Lonely-Martin]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

I am just completely and utterly baffled by the backing he receives in the press. All the blame seems to get put on the players with absolutely none on him.

 

If Emery was 15th there would be pundits going wild about how he needs to go.

 

It's weird that Ole at United is fending off pelters and with any slip he's plenty of heat but not too far off the top of the league in points, while Arteta is getting a pass but so far off it's unreal really. I mean, they're both loved former players of the club's they're in charge of right now too. Crazy stuff.

[Jason]

1 hour ago, Lonely-Martin said:

It's weird that Ole at United is fending off pelters and with any slip he's plenty of heat but not too far off the top of the league in points, while Arteta is getting a pass but so far off it's unreal really. I mean, they're both loved former players of the club's they're in charge of right now too. Crazy stuff.

 

Don't get me wrong, Ole's had his fair share of bias cause Neville, Scholes and co won't say a bad word about him but in the papers and on certain sites he's been slagged right off. Meanwhile Arteta's Arsenal is only not in what would be considered relegation form due to the bottom three this season being one of the worst ever.

 

If Ole isn't good for United - and I aint saying he is - then lord knows what Arteta is for Arsenal. They're a huge step back from Emery, who was a huge step back from Wenger.

[Eutyphro]

9 hours ago, Jason said:

I am just completely and utterly baffled by the backing he receives in the press. All the blame seems to get put on the players with absolutely none on him.

I think the backing is due to the fact that he did make Arsenal more consistent, won some trophies and got some good results last season. But with this form he is not going to have a lot of credit for much longer. I think Auba and Laca are in very poor form this season, and he really depends on those players. If they don't perform then they are screwed.

 

I think he made a mistake by benching Ceballos all the time, and recruiting and putting faith in Willian, who might be experienced or whatever, but doesn't really bring anything offensively like I have pointed out in previous posts. I think one of the reasons they don't score anymore is that they benched their most creative midfielder Ceballos. Auba and Laca playing sh*t is the other reason. He's really screwed with Partey being injured for weeks from now, because in that Conte style he plays that is a great player to have.

Maybe, hopefully for Arteta, Elneny with Ceballos will be a good midfield pair the coming matches for them. I think another positive thing for Arsenal in all this mess is that that Brazilian defender Gabriel they bought looks really good. Partey is also a good acquisition. But if Auba and Laca are going to keep being sh*te then this will be a rough season that Arteta will not survive.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Eutyphro

[Laker23]

Ceballos definitely needs to play more, because they have barely any creativity in midfield.

 

I haven't ever seen enough of him, but Pepe needs a run of games. Ever since he was bought he has never had a significant run in the team, and this was a guy they spent 80mil on. One bad performance and he's back to being on the bench, meanwhile Willian stinks up the place every game and is constantly in the starting line up. It's okay to say Pepe has been a flop, but not a lot of players will succeed coming in and out so much. Then you have players like Xhaka who should be nowhere near the team, but for whatever reason continues to get starts.

 

I don't know how much faith the board has in him, but something needs to change at the club.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Laker23

[Girish]

And just like that we have gone from "title contenders" to absolute sh*t. Lamps has to take the blame here because he has not been able to change it up against teams that sit deep and today everyone just lost confidence after the equalizer and you could almost sense a loss incoming. Havertz and Werner were bollocks today and I have no idea what Lamps is doing playing Werner out so wide. The lack of goals seem to be affecting Werner's confidence.

 

There's not a snowball's chance in hell we're putting anything past Atletico with these kind of displays. What a super disappointing week this has been.