Arsenal v Everton 8 Observations: We have a new Super-Sub, a Solid Debut, Rotation has Started

85 thoughts on “Arsenal v Everton 8 Observations: We have a new Super-Sub, a Solid Debut, Rotation has Started”

• It’s difficult to totally focus on an Arsenal game when you have two grandchildren to entertain, so it was 3/4 of an eye on the game which isn’t ideal, but my grandchildren are lovely so it’s not a chore.

  Last season we probably would have dropped points in this game, we may not be as sparkling as we were a year ago but we have more control, Everton created nothing and but for a few wayward passes the result would have been more emphatic.

  Vieira was pretty good and on another day might have got a couple of goals, he certainly seems to be more robust in a Bobby Pires robustness.

  Rice to me was the boss, he was the master of the midfield despite Everton having some rugby forwards in their midfield.

  Eddie has done a sterling job but it coming close to Jesus taking his place, vs Spuds I suspect, The Son of God brings a mature ness and control to our attack and links better with his wingmen.

  I was shocked to see Ramsdale omitted, not dropped, omitted, it did concern me that it might upset the equilibrium of the defence but Raya did well, the question is who plays vs PSV and who plays vs Tottenham?

  The pass to Eddie for our disallowed goal came from an Everton player so was Eddie still offside? I really don’t know what a penalty or an offside is anymore?

  Martinelli pulling his hamstring is a worry, he won’t play Wednesday and I’ve go5 my doubts tha5 he’ll play on Sunday next?,

• Good additions to the post, Kev, and all agreed. 🙂

• You may have misunderstood me, (previous post)Total. Language is important for constructing views and society as a whole. I love the English language too much to see it misused for philosophical reasons, whether or not those philosophies be sound or spurious.

  Yes, Eris, we may not have got the four Kev hoped for, but we can be happy to see that see that six year hoodoo broken.
  Bleak stubbornness was overcome with patient silky cohesiveness. Leandro’s goal was a thing of Belgian beauty, a brush stroke of Rene Magritte, a tennis stroke of Kim Clijsters, a stroke of genius all of his own. Reminded me of an Eduardo goal v Burnley a few years back.
  Let’s look forward to Totals PSV preview and then to pricking the fragile bubble that is Tottenham.

  He’s on the left, he’s on right Leandro Trossard is dynamite He’s on the left, he’s on the right or down the middle Your kryptonite! He’ll pass the ball, he’ll score a goal He came from Brighton, to Arsenal! He loves the reds, he hates the whites Leandro Trossard is dynamite! Na na na na na na na na na na etc Leandro Trossards dynamite!

• You may have misunderstood me (previous post), Total. Language is important for constructing views and society as a whole. I love the English language too much to see it misused for philosophical reasons, whether or not those philosophies be sound or spurious.

  Yes, Eris, we may not have got the four Kev hoped for, but we can be happy to see that see that six year hoodoo broken.
  Bleak stubbornness was overcome with patient silky cohesiveness. Leandro’s goal was a thing of Belgian beauty, a brush stroke of Rene Magritte, a tennis stroke of Kim Clijsters, a stroke of genius all of his own. Reminded me of an Eduardo goal v Burnley a few years back.
  Let’s look forward to Totals PSV preview and then to pricking the fragile bubble that is Tottenham.

  He’s on the left, he’s on right Leandro Trossard is dynamite He’s on the left, he’s on the right or down the middle Your kryptonite! He’ll pass the ball, he’ll score a goal He came from Brighton, to Arsenal! He loves the reds, he hates the whites Leandro Trossard is dynamite! Na na na na na na na na na na etc Leandro Trossards dynamite!

• Stuart, the language we share has been manipulated for ages although in our social media culture it is weaponised (the term of the day as an example) dishonesty, mendacity and rampant prejudice is the currency of our age.

  It’s why I don’t trust any politicians at all anymore, it’s why I don’t trust the media or what is left of our press as it struggles in its death throes, all the authorities we trusted are no longer worthy of our trust, it’s an awful situation but those in charge have brought it upon themselves as our culture lurches towards uncertainty and despair.

• Yes, Kev. Reminds me of one of WB Yeats finest and most prophetic of poems:

  Turning and turning in the widening gyre
  The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
  Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
  Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
  The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
  The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
  The best lack all conviction, while the worst
  Are full of passionate intensity.

  Surely some revelation is at hand;
  Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
  The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
  When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
  Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
  A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
  A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
  Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
  Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
  The darkness drops again; but now I know
  That twenty centuries of stony sleep
  Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
  And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
  Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

• Good point on Mykelenko, Total. I loved his interaction with Bukayu at the end of the game.

  You’ve a sharp eye, Kev. I didn’t notice the fact that the through ball to Eddie was played by an Everton lad. Reviewing the incident and refreshing my understanding of the offside law, it seems VAR decided that the Everton player was neither in control of the ball or deliberately passing the ball back.

• Pingback: Everton vs. Arsenal 8 Observations: Rotation has begun; we have

• Stu, I might be mistaken but I’m sure that Arsenal were linked to Mylenkoabout 18 months ago, he looks quite an accomplished defender and hessure to be busy as Everton desperately cling to their Premier League status.

• Stu, see now image at bottom of the post. Saka and his tormentor reembrace. 🙂

• Nice photo, Total. The lad has a lovely smile to go with his impressive footballing skills. That block he made on Fabio’s shot showed his commitment and athleticism.

• Here are last weekends results:-

  For the week:-

  1st OX10 with 5/6 plus 1 correct score & share of most correct predictions = 9 points
  2nd Eris with 4/6 plus 2 correct scores = 8 points
  3rd GN5 with 5/6 plus share of most correct predictions = 7 points
  4th Total with 3/6 plus 1 correct score = 5 points
  5th Kev with 2/6 plus 1 correct score = 4 points
  6th Stuart with 2/6 = 2 points
  7th PB & Madhu – no predictions received.
  “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
  For the season:-

  1st Stuart with 29.00
  2nd Eris with 24.33
  3rd Total & Ox10 with 24.00
  5th PB with 21.33
  6th GN5 with 21.00
  7th Kev with 17.33
  8th Madhu with 10.00
  “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

• Next weekends selections:-

  Crystal Palace v Fulham *
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur *
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth *
  Chelsea v Aston Villa *
  Liverpool v West Ham United *
  Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg *

• Thank you for your observations Total.
  I was surprised that you were so generous towards Vieira as I thought that he did not add any dimension to the team and he missed many good opportunities with his rash shooting. But I guess he was at least in the right place at the right time but needed to be more composed.

• GN5, I want to give Vieira som time to settle in. His assist for Marti’s disallowed goal was Cescesque and I saw some other promising moves.

• Wow a great week for the Ox and Erismus. Well done chaps.

  PB, Madhu where are you?

• Crystal Palace v Fulham 1-1
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 1-1
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth 3-1
  Chelsea v Aston Villa 2-2
  Liverpool v West Ham United 3-2
  Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg 3-1

• Your observations are spot on; also agree with Kev’s inclusions.

  Clearly, Arteta would have to rotate and has kept insisting the players would get to play a lot of minutes. It is a long season and this Arsenal side looks like it will be staying long into 2024, in all the competitions we are in.

  Trossard’s goal was such a technical thing of beauty. Trust me, that was not an easy pass to guide into the far corner of the post…and with his “weaker” foot too. The move was sheer perfection. It started with a routine from the training ground, then Vieira had to adapt the routine as he was closed down quickly. Good thing it worked out.

  I think Raya starting on Sunday means Ramsdale starts Wednesday and Sunday (vs Spurs). There will be games which suit Raya (against taller, physical sides, likely to threaten from set pieces) and Arteta is likely to give him the nod in such games, which may not be ideal for Ramsdale’s tag of No.1, but should see both complement one another to the benefit of the team.

  Vieira was most people’s man of the match, but I will say it is a tie with Rice and Saliba/Gabriel. Rice dominated that midfield and made it clear we won’t be bullied. Starting to look a good introduction to replace Xhaka’s protective disposition without Xhaka’s rush of blood. Our CB paring did well to nullify whatever forward play they offered. We do look solid in defence and I think we sacrificed high risk flair football for a bit more defensive solidity and pragmatism.

  For me, it is a shame that such a fine goal by Martinelli was not allowed to stand over a pedantic interpretation of the rules, rendering the general understanding of the extant rule void. Shame too that the young man seemed to have done his hammy. Let’s hope his youthfulness means a very swift recovery.

• Wow! Good job OX10 and GN5. That’s a lot of correct predictions. Your new scoring method makes things more interesting; a good week and some correct score predictions and one can have a massive climb up the board.

  Looks like this season’s game would be keenly contested as leadership will be up for grabs…….😎

• While we are on the subject…….

  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12531849/Mikel-Arteta-goalkeeper-arsenal-chris-sutton.html

• I agree Eris the competition now has many more scoring opportunities which hopefully will result in a closer and more exciting outcome.

• I agree Eris the competition now has many more scoring opportunities which hopefully will result in a closer and more exciting conclusion. It would be great if it came down to the final week before we can name a victor.

• Oops I thought the first post was lost in the ether.

• UCL group stages have started with some interesting results already but nothing unexpected. We start tomorrow and I expect a few changes to the team which started on Sunday; Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Havertz and Jesus should be pushing to start, giving the manager a nice headache.

  Hey, even Reiss should get a late shout giving he will be familiar with some of the players of the Dutch side. I hope he gets a fair bit of game time.

• C.Palace vs Fulham………. 2-1
  Arsenal vs Tottenham…….4-0
  Brighton vs Bournemouth 3-0

• Chelsea vs Aston Villa… 2-2
  Liverpool vs West Ham.. 3-1

• Dortmund vs Wolfsburg…. 3-2

• Eris did you see the voluminous curly barnet of Matteo Guendouzi charging around the Lazio midfield, he made one surging run into the Atletico box, beat one man, beat a second, swerved past a third and then trod on the ball and fell over, it was magnificent….

  Great equaliser by the Lazio goalkeeper, Haarland would have been proud of that header…

• Of course the big question (media wind-up) will be centred around who plays in the Arsenal goal, but it doesn’t concentrate my mind, I’m wondering who replaces Martinelli and does Jesus get a start?

  The Press can feck off…

• I’d be inclined to give Reiss Nelson a start

• Morning guys,

  Was at the Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough game last night. Nice to see three dimensional footie again. The only Dutchman for the Owls scored their only goal, so that was nice. Good to see the teams keeping the ball down and trying to play passing football. 🙂

  Travelling back up to the Athens of the North later this afternoon.

• Travel safe, Total, Let’s hope there are no more Dutch goals this week…

• Crystal Palace v Fulham * H (2-1)
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur * H (2-1)
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth * H (3-0)
  Chelsea v Aston Villa * A (2-1)
  Liverpool v West Ham United * H (3-1)
  Borussia Dortmund * VfL Wolfsburg * H (3-1)

• I’m not lost, just disorganised.

  We had an unforeseen cold cold front here, and both my kids managed to get a cold. So I had to keep them breathing, and at the same time building an indoor infra sauna with salt bricks. (Well, obviously I was doing all the research and planning, and none of the actual execution, so I’m more of an armchair hero than an actual handyman.) And by the time it was finished we are back to the warm weather again, as per Muphy’s law.

• I wish I could say that my predictions have been lost in the void, however I was unfortunately not paying attention.
  But not this time!

  Crystal Palace vs Fulham * D (0-0)
  Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur * H (4-2)
  Brighton & Hove Albion vs AFC Bournemouth * H (2-0)
  Chelsea vs Aston Villa * A (1-2)
  Liverpool vs West Ham United * D (2-2)
  Borussia Dortmund vs VfL Wolfsburg * H (2-0)

  – by the way, GN5, there is a slight discrepancy between your numerical Chelsea-game prediction (2-1) and the outcome (A)
  – and kudos to the Borussia Dortmund vs Wolfsburg game selection, that is a real tricky one that could go any way.

• Crystal Palace v Fulham * 1-1
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur * 2-1
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth * 3-0
  Chelsea v Aston Villa *1-2
  Liverpool v West Ham United * 2-1
  Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg * 2-0

• Got soaked walking to the station, the ball will be zipping across the pitch this evening. Sitting on the train with trousers that will take the journey to Highbury & Islington to dry. A couple of pints in the Rocket, Holloway Road should set me up for the evenings ‘entertainment’…
  COYG

• Oo to oo to be oo to be with Kevski…
  Wish I were there, mate. Wet trousers and all.

• I wish you was with me, we could do the Haka on the North Bank. 😁

• The trousers are dry but the beer is wet Stu, I shall drink to your health and the health of everyone else on BK

• Brilliant, Kev. If you have some time tonight or tomorrow, it would be good to put a few lines down for the match. 🙂

• Good to hear from you, PB. Hope all is well with the kids now.

• Arsenal starting XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.

  subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Jorginho, Elneny, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Nelson, Nketiah.

  PSV starting XI: Benitez, Teze, Boscagli, Bella-Kotchap, Dest, Schouten, Saibari, Veerman, Bakayoko, Luuk De Jong, Lang

  Subs: Drommel, Waterman, Sambo, Ramalho, Tillman, Pepi, Til, Babadi, Lozano, Van Aanholt, Vertessen.

• Sorry for hijacking the conversation, but here are some unsolicited thoughts on Group B in the Champions League.

  Although I’m aware it’s limitations, I often (gladly) apply or refer to TransferMarkt’s player and squad evaluation. But this time I have a different opinion.

  There are 4 teams in our group:
  Arsenal (1.09b)
  Sevilla (210M)
  RC Lens (198M)
  and PSV (187M)

  Our 3 competitors are not only alike in terms of squad value, but their summer transfer window was almost identical.
  Sevilla spent 32M and received 26M while losing their excellent, 2x EL-winenr goalkeeper Bono in the process. Lens spent 64M and gained 67M in the summer, also losing their best players Openda and Fofana, but signed wonderkid-striker 20y Elye Wahi, allegedly beating Arsenal for the player. And PSV also had their cash in-flow (50M) and out-flow (53M) in balance, also losing their 2 (post-Gakpo) best players, Sangare and Xavi Simmons.

  So when pundits were asked to predict the outcome of the group, most prognosticated Arsenal finishing first, and about 80% predicted Sevilla finishing second (for their experience and recent silverware in Europe, and maybe based on TM squad evaluation), and the remaining 20% answering Lens as they really shocked Europe for finishing 2nd in France only behind PSG.

  However I claim PSV qualifying from the group. And if we are lucky, only in the 2nd place.

  If you ask me, who had the best summer window (among those who didn’t spend 9 digits over their transfer income), I would probably pick West Ham, as they old their talisman player at the right time for the right price, and managed to properly reinforce their team with players who could easily walk into Arsenal’s B team like Kudus, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse and Mavropanos. And the results are already showing.
  But if I can consider clubs outside the UK, my money is on PSV. They signed 2 hardcore wingers for about half their fair price: recent Italian champion, cup winner and CONCACAF topscorer Hirving Lozano, as well as Noa Lang who usurped Gakpo’s place in the Oranje. Defensive Midfielder Jerdy Schouten was also a smart transfer, and US international Ricardo Pepi wasn’t a bad signing either. And above them they managed to get loan deals for Sergiño Dest from Barcelona, Malik Tillman from Bayern Munich and Armel Bella-Kotchap from southampton, who is a much better player than his name implies.
  4 of them are in the starting line-up and 2 on the bench – Peter Bosz is doing mighty fine in integrating the newcomers into the team.

  I expect to win tonight, but I would be surprised if we would win the reverse fixture in the 6th round of the CL group stage. And I would be even more surprised if PSV would not win the Eredivisie by a comfortable margin.

• Those are useful thoughts there, PB. Not sure about the relevance of the info on squad value (because we all know the fees go North when an English club is involved); I feel you can never judge the trajectory of the group placings only by transfer market values.

  Otherwise, I agree with your submissions. PSV are a very good side, as I am sure we would find out, in the course of the CL season. They may just finish in the top 2.

• Thank you for pointing that out PB – It should be A (1-2) I will make the correction on my spreadsheet.

• PB, I trust the kids are up and running now. My best wishes to them.

  Kev, I’d have to look out for re-runs of that game on TV then. I did see that late header by the Lazio keeper. It was a well taken one too and the timing….. Exhilarating stuff.

• Very fine outing by the lads to win 4-0 at home, in our return to the UCL. An accomplished performance by the boys. Probably, the most fluid we have been since the start of the season; ominous signs for the spuds on Sunday, I tell you.

  Keeper Raya is just that bit calmer than Ramsdale and inspires confidence in the defenders. Odegaard was just such a menace all, night and Saka, Trossard, GJ9 and Ode all scored delightful goals.

  It is a great time to be a Gooner. Arsenal Forever!!

• My predictions for the week:

  Crystal Palace v Fulham 2-1
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 3-1
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth 2-1
  Chelsea v Aston Villa 3-2
  Liverpool v West Ham United 3-2
  Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg 4-1

• I would have bet a lot that Ramsdale was going to start. I love him, but I’m open to Raya if the boss thinks he’s better.

  I thought Havertz was effective in midfield.. he will be fine. Rice is so effective..
  I loved the subs… having a comfy lead makes that easier and earlier.

  We never get that much open space in midfield in premier league games. PSV is supposedly on excellent form currently in the Eredivisie. Leading and scoring freely.
  Now onto the tough business this weekend.

• Finally it was a convincing display. The boys were creative, showing none of the constraints they exhibit in the PL.

  Eris, I agree that the squad value stats hold limited value, however sometimes interesting nevertheless. If PSV was playing in the PL there would be only 2 teams with a smaller squad value: Sheffield United and Luton Town (meaning even Burnley worth 15% more, and Nottingham Forest twice that much).

  So either Arteta managed to unlock the boys potential, or this is the difference between bottom-table PL clubs like Everton or Fulham and the best Dutch team at the moment. (Or actually there is a third explanation, namely Partey is not playing RB, but let’s not get there now.)

• Some great comments by Eris and especially PB. PSV have indeed bought well and Bosz is not a bad manager. His teams always experience periods of real high and real low. The football is very attacking and we will get a tough game in Eindhoven, but yesterday they were just naive. Nobody except Citeh would dare to play us like that in the PL. Too easy.

• I was wet pretty much from the moment I left home to walk to the railway station until I got home. Sitting and standing in damp clothes for about 7 hours ain’t great, just as you start to dry out, you get soaked again, you know, like a summers day in the North Island. 😉

• There are things that you miss when you watch a game on TV, it’s just the way it is, it’s why the two games I’ve seen in person, Man City and yesterday, gave me a different aspect on Kai Havertz, he does a lot of running into space, creating it for team mates, he does a lot of work on the ball as well as off of it, in a Xhaka fashion, you know fairly under appreciated, but for me he was a key component as he switched into what seemed three different roles following substitutions, he allows Arteta the flexibility to make less changes of personnel leaving him more latitude for other tactical changes because Kai can switch roles. What he badly needs is a goal.

  His on-line reputation isn’t great but at the Stadium I never heard any dissent, the fans who see the games are with him, orthey were yesterday. We have a very knowledgeable crowd, more knowledgeable than some I read online unfortunately but to me Kai is becoming a crucial part of the development of this squad, as it Vieira and Smith Rowe, all he needs is a goal to settle the nerves, a scrappy one vs the Middlesex Ramblers this Sunday would be most welcome.

• Declan Rice, what can I say, he is everything and more the player we’d all hoped he would be when we signed him, he glides around the midfield like a top of the range Bentley, sweeping up, cleaning up, vacuuming up all the loose troublesome scenarios with a calmness reminiscent of Big Pat, minus the red card moments. He is a bargain an absolute steal, one of the best domestic signings since Sol Campbell with the potential to be as effective.

• Big Bill was like a Goliath at the back, the iron fist in the velvet glove personified. He dances through challenges with the lightness of Gene Kelly and he was certainly singing in the rain yesterday, he is the best central defender in England, forget any media crap, he is the best and he’ll be the best in Europe within the next 18 months.

  Alongside him was his pal, his good mate the bad cop to Saliba’s good cop. Big Gabby is our artisan, all muscle and combative physicality, he is crucial to the defensive balance and you under appreciate him at your peril.

• Ben and Zinch had steady games, I worry that some onliners take what they do for granted but they are an important part of this teams defence, Saka is a better player with Ben around and Zinchenko adds poise to our midfield despite the odd mistake, we miss him when he’s not there.

• Raya was calm and composed, I can see why many onliners want him in the team but I don’t enjoy some of the ignorance and disrespect aimed at Ramsdale now, he does deserve it and those dishing it out only show their own stupidity.

• doesn’t deserve it

• Our attack was all verve, spontaneity and technical brilliance. We seem to do it in spells and then take a breather, it’s impossible to keep it up for 90 minutes but when we’re in the zone you’d better watch out. Four exceptionsal goals all different in there construction and execution, seeing all our attacking players in such hot form with a NLD pending is very comforting. Jesus, Havertz and Trossard struck up a nice understanding, Saka ruled the right flank and Odegaard was master of all he surveyed, despite what a few opined after the game I thought that PSV were a decent team and caused us some problems, they’ll be a dangerous competitor in this group and we’d better have it sewn up before we visit Eindhoven…

  Some great subs by Arteta and in particular Smith Rowe who got one of the loudest cheers of the evening. Roll on Sunday

• Morning all,
  That was a very enjoyable game to watch, Arsenal were (at times) purring like a well oiled machine.
  It was special to see and it must have been wonderful to be in the Emirates and see the game live Kev -in spite the soaking you got! The atmosphere must have been incredible.

  Oh, Stuart and Madhu – I need your predictions.

• Wow, fabulous comments from the cab man. Thanks, Kev and nothing to disagree with my friend.

• “one of the best couple of lines ever written in the comment section of the blog:

  “Big Bill was like a Goliath at the back, the iron fist in the velvet glove personified. He dances through challenges with the lightness of Gene Kelly and he was certainly singing in the rain yesterday”

• Thanks Kev, You must descend from a line of bards, mate.
  I thought the whole team, squad and stadium were singing in the rain. That performance of “North London forever” electrified my living room, such spirit and emotion. PSV, perhaps foolishly, came to play. They are good but Arsenal, who the bookies have as fourth favourite to win the CL, were fabulous. If “Big Bill” was a “Goliath” then our goal scorers were David’s. Do we have a better finisher than Leandro? His, Martin, Jesus and Saka’s slings were deadly accurate; a 4-0 score line hardly flattering us.
  I agree with your perceptions of Kai, very influential with his flexibility, of Ben who not only brings the best out of Bukayu but also shimmers and shines himself, and of Declan (I received a visit from a lad yesterday who is woofing out here, a West Ham supporter, I do allow them on the property, he almost wept when we discussed the Rice transfer).
  I only felt some discomfort for our Aaron. I thought he’d be nailed on to start, brilliant keeper that he is, loved by all, and so instrumental in getting us into the CL after last seasons heroics. It would have been fitting to honour him with a first CL start in this new era for the club. I love Mikel but I do sense a ruthless pursuit of perfection about him. Something of the Pep.

  Thanks GN5.

  Crystal Palace v Fulham 1-1
  Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 3-0
  Brighton & Hove Albion v AFC Bournemouth 3-0
  Chelsea v Aston Villa 1-2
  Liverpool v West Ham United 3-2
  Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg 2-0

• Let’s give the Ramsdale situation some time. Big Gab didn’t play a few games early on and he is playing again now. PSV have a great header of the ball up front and maybe Mikel wanted the added physical presence of Raya last night.

  Good to hear the support for Big Ben. I am less impressed with him and certainly believe that Bukayo could do beter with Timber, which isn’t to be this season. On the other hand, what a great defensive support Bukayo is for White.

• Thanks for all the kinds critiques, I love language and learning a new word for me is like finding a tenner in the back of the cab… 😉

• Kev,

  Amazing insights… especially the detail about Havertz..

• Kev, A great report and I’m very jealous. I’m a ‘Silver’ member and can’t get a sniff of a ticket.

  I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing from Kai and I can’t understand the constant moaning from some people. One of the things that I appreciate about those who comment here is that they are true supporters and are generally supportive of the players and manager as well as the Club.

• https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12966715/martin-odegaard-arsenal-captain-signs-new-five-year-contract-until-2028

• Besides the poetic aesthetics Kev brought a very important point to the discussion.
  Namely we only see in the game broadcast what the camera crew deems important or interesting, therefore missing a lot of the details. So even if you watch the full game – on TV or via a stream – not only the highlights, you mostly see what a player does with the ball, but don’t see how he contributes otherwise.

  So thanks for pointing out what Havertz brings to the table, Kev. Your sacrifice in the rain was, is and always will be always appreciated from the warmth of the living room. 😛

• By the way, TA, did you make an update with the WordPress engine? Or maybe I have a more recent version of the browser, but the whole login part is more seamless now.

• PB I posted at 13:52 and it simply asked for a reply and when I replied it posted as Anonymous ?

• I have no knowledge or experience on owning and operating a blog.
  Previously – despite I have a WordPress site (which I might never finish, even though I would love to) – I had to login EVERY time I made a comment. Even if I logged in for the first comment and wrote a few more in the next ours without logging out, closing the Mozilla or shutting down the computer.
  Now the blog engine ‘recognizes’ me, and I don’t have to log in every time, which is quite a relief. But if you use a different browser or has no WP account it may have a different effect on your commenting habits.

• So I/m now officially Anonymous ?

• Not sure what to do about that, fellas. Hopefully it goes away again.

• I trust those trousers have dried out, Kev. “Wot eva the weva”, mate…

• Looks like I have joined the ranks of the anonymous, too…
  Stu

• Something has changed, the comment box on BK on my iPad has disappeared and it looks different on my iPhone just now.
  Not sure why but WordPress seems to be thd issue..,

• Looks as if I won’t be able to use my iPad for commenting on here anymore due to its age and WordPress changing things, funnily enough I was chatting to an Apple tech guy a couple of weeks ago and told him about the issues I had then with my comments box and he said it sounded like WordPress who he said were due to change some of their technical gizmos.

• Thanks Kev, I pay WordPress a decent sum of money every year to avoid this crap, so hopefully it’s just a glitch.

• I have reintroduced the need to have a previously approved comment in order to post a comment. That way your name may not be lost. Bear with me whilst I try this. 🙂

• Go get ‘em Total

• Testing!

  It is (North London) derby day!

• Just trying to get the hang of this new development by WordPress; gone through a login process. Now, to see how a follow up comment works.

• Hopefully it is better now, fine chaps!

  New Post!