Arsenal v Manchester United, 20:00 GMT (01/01, BT Sport 1)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Firstly, Happy New Year. :partytime:

Secondly, Martinelli is back in training so all is right with the world.

Well apart from the Mustafi - David Luiz dream team at the back. :sick:

Hopefully Holding has a Lazarus-like recovery in his first training session back.

[Marc Overmars]

United have got results in all the big games this season. I can quite easily see us losing this on the counter but I suppose if we have the same application again we might have a chance, not holding my breath though, of course.

[Letters]

:ilt:

[dazthegooner]

Come on it's not that bad.... Is it? :unsure:

[GP]

3-0

[Letters]

Come on it's not that bad.... Is it? :unsure:

I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve gone in to every game expecting us to lose or at best draw.
One of the reasons for Liverpool’s insane form is they have developed this winning mentality - they go into every game knowing they’re going to win. We seem to have done the reverse, we go into every game riddled with self-doubt and the opposition know we are there for the taking.

It’s grim.

[AFC Leveller]

I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve gone in to every game expecting us to lose or at best draw.
One of the reasons for Liverpool’s insane form is they have developed this winning mentality - they go into every game knowing they’re going to win. We seem to have done the reverse, we go into every game riddled with self-doubt and the opposition know we are there for the taking.

It’s grim.

That’s pretty much it.

Man U have done well in the big games, they will be equally as tough as Chelsea.

I’m more confident than I was last week but as you say, we just can’t win anymore, even against Chelsea where we were 9 minutes away from getting all 3 points.

Wouldn’t be surprised if this ended up 1-3. Mustafi, no LB, no CDM alongside Torreira (unless Xhaka is back) etc make this a tall order.

[Gooner23]

Its grim, but I think it will get better. Maybe not tonight but by the end of the season. Arteta has a huge job on his hands and our injury list is horrible at the moment. But once players start returning and he has more time with them on the training ground I think we'll see an upturn in results. Hopefully we can dig out a result tonight but its going to be very difficult.

[I am invisible]

We’ve certainly got it all against us for this one...

- pretty much the entire defence is out
- there’s no options from the bench to make tactical changes
- half the senior players are uncommitted
- we can only manage about 30-45 minutes at the intensity that we need to be playing at
- it’s the tail-end of a busy Christmas schedule where we haven’t been able to rotate

Honestly, I think this is one of those ‘let’s just get it out of the way so we can regroup‘ kind of games.

I’ll be keep an interested eye on how we play in that opening 30-45 - things like shape, pressing, how quickly we come out of the blocks, etc - but I’m really not expecting much out of the result...

[I am invisible]

Doom and gloom aside, what options do we have to make a fight out of it?

How do we deal with LB if Saka is out?

Is anyone useful back from injury?

We know united like a fast counter, so how do we set up to play against that?

[Gooner23]

Apparently Bellerin, Holding and Sokratis were all spotted in training but no idea if any of them will be available.

Martinelli could be back which is good news. Shift Auba into the centre.

[I am invisible]

I call bullshit on that - no way was Bellerin spotted training!

[I am invisible]

What about Ceballos - he back yet?

[I am invisible]

Could really do with Auba, Pepe and Martinelli having another one of those West Ham moments at some point in the 90...

[Mac76]

Apparently Bellerin, Holding and Sokratis were all spotted in training but no idea if any of them will be available.

Martinelli could be back which is good news. Shift Auba into the centre.

The website said holding was being considered for the Chelsea game so maybe he'll be back - if it's Mustafi and Luiz at the back this will be one of the many competitors for 'worst televised arsenal game of all time'

[Mac76]

:ilt:

Wonderfully succint :lol:

[Xhaka Can’t]

If we lose today, we will drop below Brighton.

[Letters]

If we lose today, we will drop below Brighton.

Ludicrously, if we win we will go 4 points off 5th.
What a shitshow of a season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kolasinac, Sokratis and Xhaka all came off the team coach.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasinac, Sokratis and Xhaka all came off the team coach.

Before it left, or after it arrived?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokartis, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Martinez, Holding, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Willock, Nelson, Saka.

All out attack. :bow:

[Mac76]

Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokartis, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Martinez, Holding, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Willock, Nelson, Saka.

All out attack. :bow:

i'd have preferred to see Saka on the left with Auba in the middle and Laca on the bench

also would prefer Holding in the starting lineup even if he had to come off later on

Man Ure will take Sokratis and Luiz apart

as for Xhaka i was hoping we'd seen the last of him, let's hope it's a case of 'needs must' until the deal goes through to see him out of here...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Matic, James, Lingard, Rashford, Martial.
Subs: Romero, Jones, Williams, Young, Pereira, Mata, Greenwood.

Arsenal destroyer Lingard in the line-up. :(

[I am invisible]

Who’s going to get injured tonight or then? I’m going with Leno or Torreira.

[I am invisible]

Arsenal destroyer Lingard in the line-up. :(
He didn’t get a single PL goal or assist in 2019 so it’s pretty much nailed on for tonight.

[AFC Leveller]

1-3 to them.

Just can’t see us winning.

[dazthegooner]

If we do it will be the first time we’ve lost 5 home matches in a row... (apparently)

[I am invisible]

Yeah, that defence fills me with all kinds of terror.

The really sad thing is it’s actually much better than anything I thought we’d be able to field tonight.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rio and RVP are in the studio.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hearing us being spoken about in a relegation fight. :sick:

[Thierrymon]

We should beat United as they are shit, but we are exceedingly shit as well that I cant see us getting the 3 points.

[Thierrymon]

Ozil giving the team talk.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal. :bow:

We'll go tenth with a win. :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rashford shoots, straight at Leno.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kolasinac. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kolasinac gives away a foul already after being caught out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

David Luiz roughing up Martial. :bow:

Kolasinac booked. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No yellow for Matic, of course.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hospital pass from AMN.

[Globalgunner]

AMN with his first cock up of the day

[AFC Leveller]

Yes 1-0 Pepe

[Marc Overmars]

PEPE!!

[Thierrymon]

Pepe!!!!!!!!!!! Pls no VaR

[GP]

SUCK MY PEPE!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

PEPE!!!! COME ON!!!!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Nice. We started really nervously but that should settle it down.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pepe shat on Shaw. :bow:

[AFC Leveller]

Pepe puts Shaw on his arse and his crossing is hoofed out of the stadium by Auba

[Marc Overmars]

Got to keep up the pressure here. None of that defence only nonsense we saw the other day.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref's an utter cock. Already.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keown inventing a yellow for David Luiz.

[AFC Leveller]

LINGARD should have been booked there. Ref is corrupt

[Thierrymon]

Surely should have been a yellow for lingard.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No yellow for Lingard. :haha:

[Thierrymon]

Nice dive from Rashford.

[Munchies]

Pepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Globalgunner]

The one thing that's sure is that PL refs are useless

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Maguire. :haha:

[Thierrymon]

Cmon, need to attack a bit more. Need another goal to avoid the Chelsea result again.

[Thierrymon]

Kola injured?

[Globalgunner]

Sokratis out of puff already. The guy looks like someone who should be carving columns of spiced meat in a shop in East London and asking for a fiver in return.

[Thierrymon]

United parking the bus.

[Maestro]

why the fuck do we sit on 1 goal leads ffs, need to go for the kill now!

[AFC Leveller]

Another hack from behind, ref refusing to book any Man U players.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ref inviting Utd to foul at will.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No yellow for Maguire. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shinguard. :haha:

[Maestro]

I'd love the fans to just snap, invade the pitch and beat the ref to a pulp.

[AFC Leveller]

Laca turns Maguire so well but his shot goes out for a throw.

[Marc Overmars]

Lacashite. :doh:

Did the hard work but wtf was that finish.

[Globalgunner]

Another hack from behind, ref refusing to book any Man U players.

Different rules

[AFC Leveller]

Torreira goes inched wide.

[Thierrymon]

Torreira and Laca both come close.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Laca shot goes for a throw-in. :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Playing really well.

Need that second goal. :pray:

[GP]

We can't be missing these chances.

[Bumble]

What the hell is going on!!!

Nice to see they have learnt not to sit on a 1-0 lead when you are on top of the oppo.

Very impressed so far.

[Niall_Quinn]

we will pay for these misses again I suppose.

[Globalgunner]

I'd love the fans to just snap, invade the pitch and beat the ref to a pulp.

I'm down with that. Then force him to reveal Mike Riley's home address

[Maestro]

we need to bury them now or we'll fucking regret it

[AFC Leveller]

Fred kicks Laca twice right in front of the ref, goes unpunished.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Foul after foul after foul. And that’s just the ones that are called.

[Maestro]

we will pay for these misses again I suppose.

yep, standard

[AFC Leveller]

Kolasinac needs to be careful, on a yellow and barging into people too often.

[Marc Overmars]

Pepe combs one onto the post!

[AFC Leveller]

Pepe smacks the post with a curler

[Thierrymon]

Pepe smashes it off the post.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Unlucky Pepe.

[Maestro]

got a sick feeling we're gonna lose this game

[AFC Leveller]

Could easily be 2 or 3 up. If we lose this then we might as well all fuck off.

[Niall_Quinn]

11 vs 12 - insane ref

[Bumble]

I enjoy the fact arteta is standing throughout. Just gives the impression observing demanding more. Sort of thing pep or klopp does.

[AFC Leveller]

Yessss 2-0

[Niall_Quinn]

ATROCIOUS BY AMN

[Marc Overmars]

SOKRATIS!!!!

Dominating them.

[Globalgunner]

Our shooting is pretty pathetic. Then Kola scores!!!

[GP]

GARGLE MY SAAAAACK!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

SOKRATIS!!! KILL THEM!!!!

De Gea chucked it in!

[Niall_Quinn]

Yes.

It's on lads! We could draw this!

[Maestro]

I enjoy the fact arteta is standing throughout. Just gives the impression observing demanding more. Sort of thing pep or klopp does.

yeah, non of that sit back executive management bullshit

[Bumble]

Wow. We havent been this good since the last time we gave united a first half lesson.

[AFC Leveller]

Arteta doing his homework in DeGea, instructing his players to pressure him at corners and it worked.

[Maestro]

yessssssssss, go for the throat

kill the cunts

[Maestro]

Yes.

It's on lads! We could draw this!

just about :haha:

[AFC Leveller]

Arteta has GOT to take Kolasinac off. On a booking and keeps committing silly freekick ds.

[Marc Overmars]

Best 45 mins of football we’ve played in a very, very long time.

[GP]

God bless the baby Yoda.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0 HT.

£85 million defending from Maguire for us.

Artetaball. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arteta has GOT to take Kolasinac off. On a booking and keeps committing silly freekick ds.

Been our best attacking player I think. Will have to risk it.

[Letters]

GARGLE MY SAAAAACK!

No :angry:

[AFC Leveller]

Been our best attacking player I think. Will have to risk it.

He committed the exact same foul as the one he got booked for just before half time and another one just a few minutes earlier. He’s just had loads of space rather than actually been particularly effective.

[Niall_Quinn]

I liked the bit where we had a game plan, a shape, a work rate and determination. Definitely proving useful. We didn't use up as much energy in that half as we did in the first against the chavs. Played a bit more of that tippy tappy stuff which is fine, proided it's not all we are playing. Strong on the left. But it's way too slow on the right. AMN and Pepe too negative when they get the ball. And AMN too sloppy with his passing. Sort that out and we'll give Utd even more problems.

Arteta has already pulled off a couple of miracles. Get Ozil to run for a whole half and encourage Xhaka to play for us instead of the opposition. For his hattrick, can he persuade Kola to stop roughing up everyone who comes within a yard of him? Would be real stupid to give this ref an excuse.

WTF is up with that ref though? It's going to take a court case and conviction for a Utd player to be booked.

[AFC Leveller]

according to the beeb:

Arsenal have scored eight goals from corners in the Premier League this season, two more than any other team.

The modern-day Stoke.

[AFC Leveller]

The only hope for Man ure is of the ref gets his bribe beofe FT and sends off Kolasinac.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal.

Let's get GP's 3-0. :bow:

[AFC Leveller]

Fred kicks Laca. That’s his 29th foul. No yellow.

[Globalgunner]

We got to keep playing like we are 2-0 down. The ref will get back into this somehow

[AFC Leveller]

Fred kicks Laca again. Still no yellow.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another foul from Fred. :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

The Unbookables

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keown hates Pepe.

[Thierrymon]

Inviting United onto us :rolleyes:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Crap from Auba.

[AFC Leveller]

Fred again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

James near post but Leno smothers it.

[Maestro]

please give us more goals lads, this is far from over

[Thierrymon]

Really dont like us sitting off them like this. We dont have the defenders to play like that, we always have a mistake or two in us.

[Thierrymon]

Greenwood doing his homework before coming on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lacazette holding on to it well, generally.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lingard hauled off, Pereira on.

James off, Greenwood on.

[Niall_Quinn]

Two of their main penalty dive threats subbed off.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pereira in to the side netting. Eek.

[Maestro]

we're starting to let them get into the game

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Auba should've tried to belt it in.

[Niall_Quinn]

Pepe was out of steam. Good sub.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pepe off after another match winning contribution. :bow:

Nelson on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rashford. :lol:

How many players does it take to get it off Martial?

[Maestro]

good sub, we need to keep the pressure on and nelson hopefully brings fresh legs

[AFC Leveller]

Maguire again goes unpunished.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sokratis had a concussion coming in to this, Keown. :doh:

[Maestro]

Sokratis had a concussion coming in to this, Keown. :doh:

footballs from back in the day were heavy and Keown took too many headers

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kolasinac dead, Saka on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kolasinac a veteran? He's 26.

[AFC Leveller]

Wan Kanobi takes an Olympic dive, ref almost falls for it.

[Maestro]

another good sub, fresh legs to counter Greenwood and avert the inevitable second yellow for Kola

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wan-Bissaka, diving cunt.

[Thierrymon]

Still no card for Bissaka for blatant dive.

[Maestro]

book him for the dive then you cunt

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Leno saves from Greenwood.

[Thierrymon]

This second half has been terrible. Really dont like the way we are playing.

[Maestro]

serious and devious game smarts now required, as it looks like we won't be scoring a third goal

[AFC Leveller]

I think Arteta just wants that first win and then we can kick on.

[AFC Leveller]

Headless chicken coming on for us.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Torreira dies and resurrects at least 40 times every match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lacazette has gone full Heskey.

[Marc Overmars]

Lacashite. :lol:

[Maestro]

worried if Torreira goes off

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saka blaster. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lacazette has totally lost it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Matic off, Mata on.

[AFC Leveller]

Laca off. Good game today, should have done better with that chance earlier.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lacazette off, Guendouzi on.

[Thierrymon]

Torreira having a snack mid game. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Torreira having supper. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Saka got a yellow :haha:

[Globalgunner]

He has had Fred for Lunch

[Maestro]

even Ozil is getting stuck in, what has Arteta done with this lot

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Auba is drunk.

[Globalgunner]

Arsenal. 3 players all go for the ball, miss and the Utd player takes it

[Thierrymon]

As much as I love the effort our players have been putting in over the past few games, I cant help but feel it is unsustainable over a season if our players are knackered half way through the second half.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Four added minutes,

[Globalgunner]

Nelson!. What was the point of bringing him on. Useless

[McNamara That Ghost...]

David Luiz. :bow:

[GP]

Saka > Bisaka

[AFC Leveller]

Rashford kicks Leno in the chest. Nothing given.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Brilliant from Leno.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fred. :haha:

Is he Brazilian?

[AFC Leveller]

Full time . Very good result.

Arteta is our savior.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd, FT!

We won a game at home.

Artetaball to win 2020. :bow:

[GP]

SWEEEET CAROLINEEE!!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Another improvement. Step by step.

Can't fault Arteta so far.

[Globalgunner]

Fred. :haha:

Is he Brazilian?

I think someone mistook. Congo Brazzaville for Brazil