10 Games in: Missing Xhaka Still But Our Backbone has Strengthened thanks to One Man

TotalArsenal

The month of October is nearly over, and it has been a busy one for me. I had little time to write posts but was still able to watch all the games and witness the establishment of Arsenal’s backbone for the season – and maybe many more seasons to come. This backbone is the most wonderful thing to witness for us Arsenal supporters.

I am a huge believer in OGAAT but also realise that a team has to brace and spare itself sometimes. It was obvious that we did this when we played Lens in the CL: a big, big game v Man City was up next and the boys were holding back a bit. Many second balls fell to Lens players and this happened simply because they wanted it more. Still Arsenal started well in that game and scored the first goal, but when there was a bit of adversary the team did not seem to lift itself as it so often is able to do. Ultimately, the players knew (deep down) that they could afford to lose that game, but the one up next v Guardiola’s Oilers was simply a game we had to get a result. One Game at a Time is a great and necessary principle, but sometimes a manager and a team just have plan for the much more important game.

I think something similar happened v the Chavs. They were winning the battles in midfield too often and we seemed to lack our usual intensity. We then had a bit of adversity – the penalty caused by Tequila’s handball – and had to dig really, really deep to still get a result. The reason for starting so calculated rather than full-blooded might well have been our game v Sevilla that was up next. With playing Sevilla away and then home again, it was really important to get a result in Spain first. Would we lose that game, progress in the CL would have been much under threat: it simply was a must not lose, ideally go and win, game. Our boys played with much more intensity in that game compared to the one at Stamford Bridge, and once again it all made sense: choose your battles, resources and tactics carefully. The season is long, and to win the war not every battle has to be won. Our manager and players are more mature now.

To be on equal points with Citeh at the end of October, after playing the likes of Man City, Man U, Chelsea, Spuds already, is a great achievement. The team is still gelling and learning to live without Granit on the left – who, btw, is doing very well with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga – and embedding Havertz and Rice. Up-front and in attacking midfield we still lack the automatisms of last season: too much is expected of Ode in the middle and Saka on the right. Teams know what to expect from us and we have to work much harder to find the openings and move the game from left to right, and right to left, whilst also carrying a threat through the middle. It will come and ESR may well be the answer to the vacuum left by Xhaka.

The left is so important and not only do we miss Xhaka, we also miss Jurrien Timber, who was impressive on this wing from the start but sadly got badly injured. Zinchenko is clearly struggling in the Left-Back-Come-Extra-Midfielder role for which he lacks physicality and passing ability. Luckily, we have Tomiyasu who is so solid and enthusiastic and becoming a cult-hero at THoF.

The other good thing is that Martinelli is starting to regain his top-form, but for this to continue we need Gabriel Jesus to stay fit and play regularly with his fellow countryman.

Ultimately, it all needs to be gelled together on the left by an attacking midfielder, and I hope that Kay or Emile will fill the gap as soon as possible.

The really, really good thing, though, is that Declan Rice has given us such a thickening of our backbone since joining us, and this more than compensates for our current little struggle on the left side.

I have always believed that Rice would be a replacement for Thomas Partey rather than Granit, and I think this is obvious now. Rice offers something that is so rare to find all in one player: drive, tacit knowledge of the game Mikel wants us to play, a great engine, a nose for where the danger is, extra drive when others are starting to tire, leadership, hunger, and a great, great love for playing football and leave it all on the pitch. This intrinsic, passionate motivation to give his all combined with his footballing qualities and intelligence, is making a real difference this season.

Declan, but also Raya, Gabriel, Saliba, Odegaard, Saka, White and Tomiyasu (and a few others) simply through their continuous development, are giving Arsenal a very impressive backbone. It will take something to break this team and beat it, and this is what will make us title contenders again this season.

By TotalArsenal.

Something quite different:

I know some of you have been following my daughter’s band No Windows’ journey, and I have some great news. No Windows won the coveted award of ‘The Sound of Young Scotland 2023’ last Thursday.

119 thoughts on “10 Games in: Missing Xhaka Still But Our Backbone has Strengthened thanks to One Man”

  • Fulham v Manchester United * 1-2
    Brentford v West Ham United * 2-2
    Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion * 1-1
    Newcastle United v Arsenal * 1-1
    Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa * 1-3
    Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich * 1-1

  • Hello Total. Good to have you back in the saddle mate, and with a fine and perceptive post. Thank you, and thank you for the news of Verity and Morgan’s success.
    I read this about them in my old bible, the NME, no less…
    “This buzzy DIY duo might still be teenagers, but there’s something accomplished and artful about their sound – a world where escapist dream-pop meets ragged punk production – that already fulfils a promise beyond their years. Still, with songs that sing of leaping into the unknown and the sound of a lost scorched summer, No Windows’ vibe is one loaded with nostalgia while waltzing into the future.”

    I agree with your thoughts on weighing games. Will we see the Newcastle game as more important than our midweek clash with the Hammers? I’d prefer the points to the next round of the Carabao.

    Fulham v Manchester United 1-2
    Brentford v West Ham United 2-2
    Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2
    Newcastle United v Arsenal 1-2
    Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa 1-3
    Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich 1-2

  • Fulham v Manchester United * D (2-2)
    Brentford v West Ham United * H (3-1)
    Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion * A (1-3)
    Newcastle United v Arsenal * A (1-3)
    Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa * A (1-2)
    Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich * A (2-3)

  • Congrats to your daughter Total, she obviously inherited her mothers looks. 😄

    I think that there were reasons we lost to Lens and drew with Chelsea that were beyond our control, Lens scored the perfect goal in that everything fell perfectly and we couldn’t prevent it, but before they equalised we looked on course for a comfortable win, after it the home crowd went mental and we got swept away on a sea of Gaelic emotions.

    Chelsea was a soft pen then a fluke and we had a bad 45. Chelsea are rubbish, ask Brentford, it wasn’t a result that worried me because it can happen in a long season.

    Playing bad, going 2-0 down and drawing 2-2, almost stealing it at the end told me all I needed to know about this amazing squad of players.

  • Great article on No Windows Total. Winning the Young Sound of Scotland award is a super achievement and must make you a very proud Father.

  • Win, lose or draw we have the makings of the best Arsenal team since the invincible squad of 2003/4.

    The thing I notice is that when they play at a high tempo they look unbeatable – but when they lower the tempo it seems to give the opposition more opportunities.

  • Arsenal Starting XI: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Vieira, Havertz; Nelson, Nketiah, Trossard

    Subs: Hein, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Rice, Elneny, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli

    West Ham Starting XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Emerson, Alvarez, Soucek, Kudus, Paqueta, Benrahma, Bowen

    Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Ward-Prowse, Fornals, Antonio, Cornet, Ings, Ogbonna, Kehrer.

    It is only the Carabao but it is the prospect of another win….. Winning is getting to be a good habit so, COYG!!!

  • Great to have you back, TA and it would seem the break did your writing juices some good too. You came back in fine fettle.
    You have written some great stuff up there; I say so because I share the same thoughts too, even if I couldn’t bring myself to put it down as articulately. Take the underlying reasons for our below par performance against Lens and Chelsea. You are spot on as these things do happen with a team with bigger fish to fry. Tonight is another such game where we may play with the hand brakes on as we must focus on the next game vs Newcastle.

    The rest of your views regarding the innate strength of our team are equally valid. It has been a while since I could relax to watch our games knowing we would give it a good go and likely get the W. Arteta’s win ratio must be up there with the best Arsenal manager.
    Long may it continue.

  • Congratulations on your Daughter’s achievement. You must be a proud father indeed. Hats off to her.

    Now, for the game…..

  • Thank you all for the fine comments and links. 🙂

    We are unlucky to be behind at half time after a bizarre own goal. Up-front we are working hard but are not yet finding a way through, mainly due to lack of automatisms. I think the spaces will come and I suggest no changes as yet. Need more from Vieira that’s for sure.

    CoyrrGs ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽

  • Yesterday has to be the most disappointing and feeble performance that an Arsenal team has put in since Guendouzi kicked off at Brighton.

    You have a team full of players, fringe players at that, trying to convince the manager to give them a run in the 1st team and they put in a listless 90 minutes that makes you actually wonder about how much they want it?

    Actions speak louder than words.

    They might talk the talk but most of them can’t walk the walk…

  • Now the New3castle game looks very scary after they thumped Man U 0-3 and we lost to West Ham by the same score.

    That was perhaps our worst performance under Arteta. Thank goodness it was only the League Cup.

  • Yes, Kev and GN5, that was bad. It just shows why Arteta does not like rotating too much. It was not a team but just a bunch of individuals.

    Luckily, we have bigger fish to fry and that team will be up for it. A League Cup away game v Pool next month is also something to avoid.. But if you wear the shirt you have to give your all. No excuses.

  • Horses for courses, boys. Some important players got a rest; and Ben’s out of character oggie, Bowen’s deflected strike and Kudu’s worldy won’t happen often. As the new queen of pop sings, let’s “shake it off” and look to getting three points up in Geordie land.

  • Hi PB. You either forgot to post your predictions or they are stuck in the WP ether again?

  • No, GN5, this time it’s entirely on me.

    Fulham v Manchester United * 0-0
    Brentford v West Ham United * 1-3
    Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion * 0-2
    Newcastle United v Arsenal * 0-2
    Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa * 0-3
    Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich * 2-1

    As I cannot praise the team for the cup performance, my congratulations will be safe and sound with No Windows.

  • While I think we should take all cups and games seriously it was inevitable to get a reality check at some point, it is better to had it in the Carabao Cup than anywhere else.

    By the way, I was really pleased with Arteta’s selection before the game. It was a proper rotation. If everybody were available I would only select one person (Gabriel) in the best current Arsenal XI. Unfortunately the lack of previous rotation backfired, and the guys didn’t have the on-pitch cohesion, confidence, experience and form.

    And while I’m aware that a narrow defeat could be the reality between West Ham’s A- and Arsenal’s B team Arteta could have empowered that B team to play better (be more creative, efficient and clinical) if they were given more opportunities in the past 3 months. Where Rice. Saliba and White played 1300 minutes on average so far, Nelson had less than 200 under his belt, neither had Kiwior, Vieira, Trossard nor Jorginho much more.

    Don’t take me wrong, this cup defeat is no catastrophe. We were not the defending champions, it was always only a matter of time to meet a team that takes this competition more seriously. The aspect I mind is the contradiction. We no longer have the excuse that the team has no depths. We loaned a player that made Ramsdale #2. We bought Trossard (on the cheap), we have an EC winner playmaker in our B team, our October PotM (TT) has no chance to compete with White for the PL RB slot, we have up and coming starlets all over the team (Vieira, Kiwior, ESR, Nelson), Havertz should be constantly challenging Arteta that he belongs to the A team. These are really talented and strong players, and they should be further pushed by the Academy starlets like Nwaneri, Walters, MLS, Sousa or ACD. Somehow there must be a way to bring out more from them than that. Otherwise we just reinforce the – false – narrative that only our first choice XI are quality, the rest are simply making up the numbers, but all are major liabilities in competitive games.

  • And happy 60th birthday Dr Who. Nothing infested my childhood nightmares worse than the Cybermen…

  • Lol. Isn’t that coming later; November 23rd, I believe?

    But, yeah; happy 60th to Dr. Who. Great series.

  • Congratulations to your daughter and to you TA! How exciting that moment must have been. Thanks for the photo.

  • Amazing as you list the quality in this team. Their squad has gone from disinterested misfits with no future, collecting their pay… to one of the most enviable in the world. Listed as the most valuable by the transfer market metric.
    I didn’t see the West Ham game but I hear that Havertz was good in the first half.. more aggressive. That is what I want to see from him more than anything else. Even more than the actual goals and assists, I want him to be a little selfish and attacking the opponents box. I’m still backing him as a good fit for the midfield position. And with Partey out, again, and Smith Rowe out, again, we actually need to depend on him somewhat.
    As far as the game today, I don’t have a strong feel for it. We should be thinking of Newcastle away as a particular challenge, because you know they really get up to play against us. Expect it to be very physical.

  • 22 Raya
    4 White
    2 Saliba
    6 Gabriel
    18 Tomiyasu
    41 Rice
    20 Jorginho (c)
    29 Havertz
    7 Saka
    11 Martinelli
    14 Nketiah

    Substitutes
    1 Ramsdale
    31 Hein
    17 Cedric
    15 Kiwior
    35 Zinchenko
    25 Elneny
    21 Vieira
    24 Nelson
    19 Trossard

  • Arsenal starting XI
    Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

    Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Cedric, Elneny, Vieira, Trossard, Nelson.

    Newcastle United starting XI: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles (c), Dan Burn, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães, Miguel Almirón, Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson

    Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, Emil Krafth, Tino Livramento, Paul Dummett, Lewis Hall, Matt Ritchie, Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock

  • Looks like Odegaard has also picked up a knock, thus growing our injury list. He joins Timber, Partey, G Jesus and Smith-Rowe in the sick bay.

    With the matches coming thick amd fast, hopefully, we have very few with long term cases.

  • With City winning, there would be pressure on us to win. I feel we are now able to handle pressure so, here’s looking forward to the win.

    COYG!!

  • Thanks for the lineup, guys. What a shame that the Ode is not fit to play. Well, we will have to play quite deep I think.

    I would play Saka in the nr10 position and Reiss on the right at, some, point in the game. Won’t happen, though.

    Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners!!!!!!

  • Kai Havertz is either a short-tempered bully or a criminal mastermind.
    Made 3 opposition player get his final warning in the referee’s book. 🙂

  • Lol. They had it coming though, by the recent letters.
    Wgats a shame is how the Newcastle fans and players were trying to get us reduced to 10 men.

  • Been a very competitive game and I’d say we’ve edged it in terms of territorial control. If Martinelli can be trained to cross and pick out team mates, when opportunities present themselves.
    Guimaress has elbowed Jorginho at the back of his head with no evident review by the VAR.

    The commentators too are being silly.as well as they seemed to want to ref the game too (in favour of the home side).
    Havertz knew it was not a red card challenge. He was off the ground but foot was on the ground when he put in the tackle.

    We need to step back from the emotional atmosphere, stay composed and pick them off as they come forward more, trying to get the win.

    Not much on the bench to change things but, I’d leave that to Arteta. Maybe, Trossard for Havertz and Elneny for Jorginho? I know Arteta won’t take Havertz off.
    Hopefully, the second half would prove to be even more exciting.

  • Fabulous game to watch from a maturity point of view. Saliba is a fortress and his fellow defenders are towers of strength too.

    Midfield is super solid and this may be Jorginhos best defensive performance in an Arsenal short. Declan is world class.

    I think we will get more space in the second half. We are the fitter team, and Saka and Martinelli will step it up. Love it. 🙂

  • With both Rice and Jorginho facilitating the transition from defense to (counter)attack I don’t see a place for Elneny on the pitch. 3 defensive midfielders would be too much for my taste, even if our wingers are more than capable to create chances without much midfield support.

    I can see Arteta substituting Havertz – either to save him from another booking or to rest him ahead of the next game (as he deputizes Odegaard – but in either case he would be replaced by Vieira.

    This game is balanced, it very well can turn out 0:0, but if either team scores, I predict them winning by 2:0. (Hopefully by 0:2)

  • Why would VAR not let the ref look at that head punch to let him decide?
    Decent job from the ref so far. From a distance, Havertz yellow probably looked much worse than it was. Very good job on that one.

  • Martinelli has got to concentrate on beating his man and putting in a cross.
    How many times will the ref let them get away with knocking our boys to the ground?

  • The ball was behind the line. Gabriel was fouled and scorer was ahead of keeper.
    If it stands, something is wrong.

  • I guess Arteta is going to be fined for his after game comments. He looked pissed and seemed prepared for the worst. He didn’t hide his feelings and I love him for that.

    Enough of all these funny decisions. There is just too much at stake to be letting these slide.

  • Great game ending in a sad loss. It would be easy to complain but I will hold my tongue/fingers.

  • A game can be lost, that’s football. But I saw a maturity today that bodes well. Upfront we lacked a bit of quality through the middle. Missing both Ode and Jesus left us a bit light, I think.

    Didn’t deserve to lose, and you just wonder why VAR has become such a mess.
    Bring on Seville.

  • ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Un (insert any word you want here boys) believable!
    Bruno G must see red for his forearm smash. The ball was out. Big Gab was clearly fouled. It was a great game of football up until that ‘goal’. Saliba and Rice were colossal.
    My first thoughts mirror Kev’s post.

  • Without VAR the goal would have stood and no checks would have been done. With VAR at least there’s a chance that the goal would have been disallowed. I choose having VAR on the off chance they get it right.

  • Happy for the ladies team as they held on for the win, after enduring a barrage of Man City attacks as they sought an equaliser and after they got it.

    2-1 it ended bringing Arsenal up to 3rd place on the table. The City ladies’ side are good.

  • To finish off my thoughts on VAR. I feel that having VAR is good for football – but it most certainly requires an overhaul to bring it to a higher and more acceptable level.

  • Results went against the ladies, back down to 7th; may be 8th after man united play too. But it’s more comfortable now as we have 10 points, alongside a number of other rival sides.

  • GN5,
    I’m with you on VAR. Any chance to use all the angles to get a better look, only makes sense.. they just need to make it work better.

  • GN5 and J,
    I fully agree with the both of you that it wasn’t a VAR issue.
    I don’t understand while people use this as an argument against VAR.
    The development in technology is beatific, but we need people to know how to set it up and apply it.
    This was no malfunction, but sheer incompetence.

  • Last weekends results:-

    1st Total with 2/6 plus 1 correct score & share of most correct predictions = 4.8
    2nd GN5, Eris, Kev & Stuart with 2/6 plus share of most correct points = 2.8
    6th PB with 0/6 = 0 points

    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-
    1st Total 63.80
    2nd Stuart 57.8
    3rd Eris 57.13
    4th PB 54.33
    5th GN5 48.80
    6th Kev 45.13

    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selections:-

    Wolverhampton v Tottenham *
    Crystal Palace v Everton *
    Aston Villa v Fulham *
    Liverpoo v Brentford *
    Chelsea v Manchester City *
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund *

  • Did anyone really hold any fears/concerns that Spurs weren’t going to Spurs it up, sooner or later? 😅

    Not me!

  • Wolverhampton v Tottenham D* 1-1
    Crystal Palace v Everton D* 0-0
    Aston Villa v Fulham H* 2-1
    Liverpool v Brentford H* 3-1
    Chelsea v Manchester City A* 1-3
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund H* 2-1

  • The lack of options on our bench is disturbing, seeing as we enter a busy period soon. Sevilla won’t make it easy that’s for certain.

    Well, COYG!

  • That’s gone well. Even better than I imagined it would be. We have pretty much dominated every aspect of the game but have not had the goals to show for it.

    Martinelli and Saka have been thorns in the flesh of their full backs, but we need to flood the goal area when Martinelli cuts in or goes to the byline. There is still much to play for though because Sevilla can change approach with a few changes and instructions. It is a game we should score a bagful in and we should go for it, just for confidence.

    Can we say it enough? William Saliba is just an awesome player, all round.

  • Well that was all smooth and effective. Just what we needed. Saka back to his best. Kai did not score but his overall game was great. Martinelli was enjoying himself, and the Tross just delivers.

  • That was very much the classic european performance, we maybe lacked a cutting edge but our defensive side was exceptional, Seville had one shot on target in the 97th minute!

  • And that was their only shot, by the way, Kev; to underscore how defensively solid we were. Sevilla must feel the need to priorize the domestic performance over Europe, otherwise why keep Ocampos, Diaz and Rakitic on the bench?

    The one thing I was disappointed about was how long Arteta kept Saka on for, when the game looked won already. Let’s hope the injury he copped is not as bad as it looked.

  • Eris, to win in europe you need to be like the Bank of England in the defence. Even though we dominated, at 1-0 we were still vulnerable because in europe if you give the opposition a sniff, you’re dead. So I couldn’t relax until we got our second goal.

    Yes, I agree regarding Saka, I’d be inclined to leave him on the bench vs Burnley, maybe bring him on to give him a few minutes to keep him ticking over if we haven’t put the game to bed otherwise I’d give others the minutes. How about being radical and start either Sagoe Jnr or Cozier-Duberry on the right flank?

  • Arteta teams in europe are developing, similar to how we’ve seen it with Man City. There is more of a George Graham look to the current Arsenal team than there is an Arsene Wenger, in that we play less cavalier (and entertaining) football but more effective with an emphasis on a strong defence.

  • Morning all,

    So far I have not received ANY predictions for this weekend’s games???

  • Wolverhampton v Tottenham * D (2-2)
    Crystal Palace v Everton * D 1-1)
    Aston Villa v Fulham * H (2-0)
    Liverpool v Brentford * H (3-1)
    Chelsea v Manchester City * A (3-1)
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund * D (1-1)

  • Must say I agree with that Bank of England reference, Kev. If you don’t concede, then there is every chance the opponent gives you a sniff and you get the win. Clearly, a tactic that’s affected our fluidity, except for the games vs PSV and one other league game where we were purring. It is the sacrifice to make if you want to win trophies (until you have a team that can bring it all together): fluidity for pragmatism.

    I pray Arteta’s (and the team’s) efforts get some huge rewards this season.

  • Thanks for the reminder, GN5. Easy to forget seeing the giddy few days after our loss to Newxastle: Sunday, Liverpool drawing Luyon; Monday, Spurs losing to Chelsea; Tuesday, Newcastle get beaten badly to Dortmund and to cap our win on Wednesday, Manure get beaten at Copenhagen. What a last few days!

    My predictions for next weekend’s selections:

    Wolverhampton v Tottenham * 2-1
    Crystal Palace v Everton * 2-2
    Aston Villa v Fulham * 1-0
    Liverpool v Brentford * 2-1
    Chelsea v Manchester City * 1-3
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund * 2-2

  • Wolves vs Tottenham….……1-2
    C Palace vs Everton………….2-1
    Aston Villa vs Fulham……….3-0
    Liverpool vs Brentford……..3-2
    Chelsea vs Man City……….:0-5
    Stuttgart vs Dortmund..….2-2

  • Wolverhampton v Tottenham * 2-2
    Crystal Palace v Everton *3-0
    Aston Villa v Fulham * 2-1
    Liverpool v Brentford * 3-1
    Chelsea v Manchester City *1-1
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund * 1-2

  • Sorry GN5. A busy week has distracted me.

    Wolves vs Tottenham….……1-2
    C Palace vs Everton………….2-0
    Aston Villa vs Fulham……….2-0
    Liverpool vs Brentford……..3-1
    Chelsea vs Man City……….:0-2
    Stuttgart vs Dortmund..….1-2

  • Clarification of my prediction for the Chelsea v Man C game – previously I had A (3-1).

    Wolverhampton v Tottenham * D (2-2)
    Crystal Palace v Everton * D 1-1)
    Aston Villa v Fulham * H (2-0)
    Liverpool v Brentford * H (3-1)
    Chelsea v Manchester City * A (1-3)
    VfB Stuttgart v Borussia Dortmund * D (1-1)

  • On behalf of GN5, let me confirm that PB’s predictions have not dropped, contrary to your intervention, TA.

  • Fine equaliser for Wolves, by the substitute, on 90 mins.
    I hate seeing them atop the table and hope Wolves go on to get the winner.

  • Hehehehehe! Spurs managed to snatch a defeat from the Jaws of victory. I am so chuffed! Just knew they would soon start to Spurse things up. Next game is vs Villa so, maybe it will be a hat-trick of losses to take them out of the top 4. 🤪😛

  • Arsenal XI: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Havertz, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard

    Subs: Ramsdale, Walters, Kiwior, Elneny, Ibrahim, Vieira, Nketiah, Sagoe, Nelson

    Burnley XI: Trafford, Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Berge, Brownhill, Koleosho, Amdouni, Rodriguez

    Subs: Vigouroux, Roberts, Delcroix, Redmond, Cullen, Ramsey, Larsen, Obafemi, Odobert

  • Let’s get this win boys. Don’t take them for granted because I expect Kompany to set his team up to nullify us and play without fear. With Trossard entrusted with a role upfront again, I hope our wingers have some fun.

    COYG!

  • 3-1! And some breathing room. How has Zinchenko controlled that karate kick towards goal? Fine technique.

  • Zinnie had a fine game, indeed. Some lovely touches even before the grasshopper goal.
    We miss our Martin and hopefully will have him fit after the interlull. However, Zinnie plays in the Martin role for Ukraine and it would be interesting to see him slot in there for us.
    Something satisfying for a New Zealander to see an Aussie coached Spurs side get turned over in time added on. 😇

  • Having watched how Newcastle laboured to a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth after a CL midweek I’m very happy with our performance today and looking at the subs bench it was quite clear to me how injuries had taken a large bite out of our resources.

  • Great weekend of results for us. Kev makes a good point. We should not take our performance overall for granted. Especially considering fitness issues.
    Newcastle (Stoke) blew all their energy last weekend and still needed sheik bribes to beat us. We took it all outta them.

  • Last weekends results:-

    For the week:-

    1st Eris & PB with 3/6 plus 1 correct score and share of most correct predictions = 6.33 points
    3rd Total with 3/6 and share of most correct predictions = 4.33 points
    4th GN5, Kev and Stuart with 2/6 = 2 points
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1st Total with 68.13
    2nd Eris with 63.46
    3rd PB with 60.66
    4th Stuart with 59.80
    5th GN5 with 50.80
    6th Kev with 47.13
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selections:-

    Netherlands v Republic of Ireland *
    Armenia v Wales *
    Switzerland v Kosovo *
    Israel v Romania *
    Scotland v Norway *
    Hungary v Montenegro *

    Difficult to get really competitive games – but I gave it my best shot.
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  • Ready for 2 boring weeks. Will listen to some Arsenal podcasts to get my fix.
    TA maybe you need to do a Bergkampesque podcast?

  • Yeah, Jync1. It was an even more brilliant weekend of fine results for the club as our ladies fought back from 2-0 down at half time, to beat the Leicester side 2-6, bringing the to 2nd place on the table behind Chelsea.

    I was watching the game and switched to La Liga, in frustration only to see the final results on the news. It should get better as the long term injured start to return to fitness. Happy for the ladies.

  • Thanks for the report, GN5. Keenly contested but that’s some move by me. Of course, the Internationals have not been my thing so I expect bumps. But, there is plenty of time to aspire for top spot. 😁

  • My predictions for the weekend’s selection of games are as. Follows:

    Netherlands v Rep of Ireland * 2-1
    Armenia v Wales * 2 – 3
    Switzerland v Kosovo * 1-0
    Israel v Romania * 1-1
    Scotland v Norway * 2-2
    Hungary v Montenegro * 2-1

  • Netherlands vs Ireland……..3-1
    Armenia vs Wales…………….2-0
    Switzerland vs Kosovo…….3-1
    Israel vs Romania…………….2-1
    Scotland vs Norway…………1-3
    Hungary vs Montenegro….2-0

  • Netherlands v Republic of Ireland * H (3-0)
    Armenia v Wales * A (1-2)
    Switzerland v Kosovo * H (2-0)
    Israel v Romania * D (2-2)
    Scotland v Norway * H (2-1)
    Hungary v Montenegro * H (2-0)

  • Netherlands v Republic of Ireland * 2-0
    Armenia v Wales * 0-2
    Switzerland v Kosovo * 3-0
    Israel v Romania * 1-1
    Scotland v Norway * 1-1
    Hungary v Montenegro * 2-1

  • Thanks GN5

    Netherlands vs Ireland……..3-1
    Armenia vs Wales…………….1-1
    Switzerland vs Kosovo…….3-0
    Israel vs Romania…………….2-1
    Scotland vs Norway…………1-1
    Hungary vs Montenegro….2-0

  • Mikel Arteta has been charged with misconduct for branding the Anthony Gordon goal decision “a disgrace”. Saw that one coming after the EPL panel came out to back the decision of the match day officials.

  • It does seem that the powers that be have circled the wagons.
    My take on Mikel’s comments are that he was responding not only to the “goal” but also to the assault upon Jorginho. His anger was under control and, imho justified.

  • Hi PB, I yet ro receive your predictions, it would be sad to see you lose points when you are so close to the top.

  • Just hoping for some players to come back to us able to play for our team again. The Vieira red was the worst time for him and Arteta. I wonder about Emile recuperating because I don’t want to see Ødegaard rushed back with his 2 issues. We need him 100 % clear in his head. His awareness, scanning and speed of thought are what make him special.

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