Chelsea v Arsenal. 21st Oct. 17:30

[Marc Overmars]

I know we’ve had the better of Chelsea in recent times and we’re clearly a better team than them but I’ve got a funny feeling about this one. I’m expecting dropped points. Maybe 1-1.

Big few days ahead with this game and Sevilla away to follow.

[Mac76]

Yeah I'm a bit pessimistic about this one too, it's got Chelsea win written all over it for me - Arsenal away at a poorly performing team, ex-Spud manager, Havertz will miss a sitter in front of the home end, Sterling turns up etc etc...

3-0 Sterling

[HCZ_Reborn]

Don’t know what to expect from this game to be honest. I suppose given my predictions have been hilariously bad I should predict a defeat. But I’m going to omit making one altogether, simply because I don’t know what to think. I don’t know what lineup we will go with, whether Saka will be fit, whether Rice and Partey will be played together. Whether Chelsea will still have issues putting chances away at home…whether we will continue our run of clean sheets away from home, whether we will extend our winning run at Stamford Bridge or not.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We should win this tbh.

I think 2-0 to us.

[Mac76]

Don’t know what to expect from this game to be honest. I suppose given my predictions have been hilariously bad I should predict a defeat. But I’m going to omit making one altogether, simply because I don’t know what to think. I don’t know what lineup we will go with, whether Saka will be fit, whether Rice and Partey will be played together. Whether Chelsea will still have issues putting chances away at home…whether we will continue our run of clean sheets away from home, whether we will extend our winning run at Stamford Bridge or not.

Partey's become so unreliable that I always rule him out of my thinking, so I guess you're talking Jorg and Rice together

I've no objection, though I've not seen much of Chelsea at all this season so don't really know what to expect, I don't doubt though that this is a game they will raise themselves for

I'd like to see Ram for this one after Raya's messups against Citeh but that won't happen i suspect, especially with the Sevilla game shortly afterwards where I've no doubt Arteta will be wanting Raya to feature

And even if Saka is technically 'fit' we shouldn't start him against Chelsea

[HCZ_Reborn]

Partey's become so unreliable that I always rule him out of my thinking, so I guess you're talking Jorg and Rice together

I've no objection, though I've not seen much of Chelsea at all this season so don't really know what to expect, I don't doubt though that this is a game they will raise themselves for

I'd like to see Ram for this one after Raya's messups against Citeh but that won't happen i suspect, especially with the Sevilla game shortly afterwards where I've no doubt Arteta will be wanting Raya to feature

And even if Saka is technically 'fit' we shouldn't start him against Chelsea


Disagree RE: Partey. Prior to the Man City game…where he had a twenty minute cameo and played well. He was slotted in at right back by genius. And I’d still say overall has been less of a problem for us than Jorginho for whom starting will necessarily negate much of our ability to get forward because of how badly he could get exposed for pace it has to be Partey. Arteta chose Jorginho against city because the primary aim was taking the sting out of City and then putting on a player with more legs later on. I think we can and should show more ambition than that against Chelsea

[Mac76]

Disagree RE: Partey. Prior to the Man City game…where he had a twenty minute cameo and played well. He was slotted in at right back by genius. And I’d still say overall has been less of a problem for us than Jorginho for whom starting will necessarily negate much of our ability to get forward because of how badly he could get exposed for pace it has to be Partey. Arteta chose Jorginho against city because the primary aim was taking the sting out of City and then putting on a player with more legs later on. I think we can and should show more ambition than that against Chelsea

When i say 'unreliable' i mean in terms of his fitness - I'm not saying Partery isn't better than Jorg WHEN FIT, however his fitness is just such a big permanent question mark that i tend to discount him from my thinking when considering what our lineup should be - I'd maintain we should have sold him in the summer and got someone more reliable

[HCZ_Reborn]

When i say 'unreliable' i mean in terms of his fitness - I'm not saying Partery isn't better than Jorg WHEN FIT, however his fitness is just such a big permanent question mark that i tend to discount him from my thinking when considering what our lineup should be - I'd maintain we should have sold him in the summer and got someone more reliable

Ok that’s a bit different, but I’d still say when he’s fit to be picked he should take precedence.

From what I can gather, and again it’s a case of fitting small jigsaw pieces together…it felt like neither Juventus who showed interest or the Saudi clubs offered us enough for Partey in order for us to sign a replacement of a similar level.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Two changes from the City game. Saka and Martinelli in for Edward and Trossard

Jorginho starts instead of Partey. Which annoys me…Jorginho more than Rice absolutely stymies us from an attacking point of view. Genius thinks that because a lineup worked against one team, it’ll work against all teams. That’s what a squad is there for…having the right tools to deal with different challenges

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Fernandez, Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk.
Subs: Disasi, Badiashille, Madueke, Jackson, Ugochukwu, James, Petrovic, Maatsen, Washington.

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard Martinelli, Jesus, Saka.
Subs: Hein, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Havertz, Trossard, Nketiah.

[Mac76]

I just hope Saka's there because he's genuinely fully fit again, not because of Arteta's obsession with playing him

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Fernandez, Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk.
Subs: Disasi, Badiashille, Madueke, Jackson, Ugochukwu, James, Petrovic, Maatsen, Washington.

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Jorginho, Odegaard Martinelli, Jesus, Saka.
Subs: Hein, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nelson, Havertz, Trossard, Nketiah.

If Partey is fit, there is absolutely no reason he shouldn't start over Jorginho.

Anyway, at least we've got Saka back and Havertz is on the bench where he belongs.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yellow for Palmer. Hmm.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Penalty to Chelsea

[HCZ_Reborn]

Cole Palmer scores the Pel. 1-0 Chelsea

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Palmer, damn.

[HCZ_Reborn]

This is the worst possible side to have out when you’re 1-0 down.

Harsh in my view. Mudryk headed the ball and it hit Saliba’s arm…this idea that when you’re jumping for the ball having your arms outstretched is an unnatural position is a load of horse shit.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 HT.

Passing has been all over the place really.

Very poor.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'd think Partey surely will be on instead of Jorginho.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Atrocious first half from us, if Chelsea had any firepower we’d be well out of this game. And we can’t blame the wet conditions, it’s our performance that has been wet. I don’t agree that the ball hitting your arm when you’re jumping to win the ball with your head is a penalty, the rules say otherwise. But we’ve created very little and seem nervous…Odegaard and Jesus are not on the same wavelength.

I still think we can get something out of the game, but we need Jorginho to come off

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Poor conditions, poor refereeing and over all poor display from us. Honestly if not for the weather, I'd be much more angry at this display as Chelsea are a really poor side.

If Arteta get his subs right, we can get back into this game. Partey needs to come in ASAP and I think the attack needs to be tweaked somewhat as Jesus has been extremely poor. Also it seems playing Saka is pointless in this game

Anyway, I think Partey coming in and playing his usual game should be enough to break the stranglehold in the middle and get us making chances that actually test the keeper.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-0 Mudryk. WTF.

[HCZ_Reborn]

2-0 Mudryk. WTF.

He did a Ronaldinho to Raya

I don’t get what Raya brings to this team I really don’t

[Mac76]

2-0 Mudryk. WTF.

Had to be Mudryk didn't it

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Raya. :haha:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Bit of salt to rub in the wounds, the last time we came from 2-0 down away from home to get a point was nine years ago away at Everton.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Arteta’s substitutions make no sense to me at all

[Mac76]

Am not watching but just noticed Zin was hauled off at HT - I see he was on a yellow but is this a sign that even Arteta's realising Zin isn't actually very good....?

[HCZ_Reborn]

Am not watching but just noticed Zin was hauled off at HT - I see he was on a yellow but is this a sign that even Arteta's realising Zin isn't actually very good....?

That’s as maybe but that’s cancelled out by the fact that blind to the fact that we are being overrun in midfield he leaves us with only one central midfielder on the pitch. Real amateur hour. Don’t get me wrong we’ve played badly and deserve to lose anyway but compounding that with stupid substitutions is unforgivable

[HCZ_Reborn]

Rice gets a goal back, game on

[McNamara That Ghost...]

RICE!!!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

TROSSARD!!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So close from Nketiah.

[Mac76]

C'mon Arsenal, nick the 3 pts :scarf:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-2 FT.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Bad performance, ok result…especially coming from two nil down.

I still think this Chelsea side are rubbish but they could have put us to the sword today. So whilst not pleased, I’m satisfied id say

[Mac76]

Good work to rescue a point but doesn't sound like a great performance

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I didn't think we were going to win at Stamford Bridge for a fourth season in a row.

However the performance was so bad.

Got to see some improvement against Sevilla.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I didn't think we were going to win at Stamford Bridge for a fourth season in a row.

However the performance was so bad.

Got to see some improvement against Sevilla.

Hopefully we will, although in context Sevilla aren’t great….but if Lens can beat us so can they just a case of not being pulled into stupidity by them. They got a draw at home to Real Madrid the first time in ages Jude Bellingham hasn’t netted. Probably come down with a heavy case of Southgateitis

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Hopefully we will, although in context Sevilla aren’t great….but if Lens can beat us so can they just a case of not being pulled into stupidity by them. They got a draw at home to Real Madrid the first time in ages Jude Bellingham hasn’t netted. Probably come down with a heavy case of Southgateitis

Any potential opponent that watched that game would be licking their lips at the thought of playing us now.

I hope what we saw today was a one off, but I doubt it since our manager struggles at rotating his squad properly and trusting people outside the circle of his "chosen."

[Marc Overmars]

Coming from behind to get a result in a tough away game is definitely worthy of credit, we never would have got this result in previous seasons.

However again the performance leaves a lot to be desired, I’m not sure how much longer we can keep eeking out these results without playing particularly well.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Any potential opponent that watched that game would be licking their lips at the thought of playing us now.

I hope what we saw today was a one off, but I doubt it since our manager struggles at rotating his squad properly and trusting people outside the circle of his "chosen."

If Partey had been picked instead of Jorginho I’d have considered myself satisfied with the line up (albeit JFC Jesus is not). But even reliable players like Gabriel and Saliba were not on their game today. Saka? Problem is we don’t really have anyone who can play there.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If Partey had been picked instead of Jorginho I’d have considered myself satisfied with the line up (albeit JFC Jesus is not). But even reliable players like Gabriel and Saliba were not on their game today. Saka? Problem is we don’t really have anyone who can play there.

Its not only resting Partey that irks me, it how its clear that no matter how shit some people play, Arteta will always prefer them and play them longer than he needs to. I mean why the hell does he have to wait to the 75th to 80th min to remove players that are clearly not up to it on the day.

For example, Trossard has started a few games this season, and I've noticed any game he starts where he doesn't have an effect within like 30 mins...he won't get a 2nd half. However, Saka, Odegaard, Martnelli and somewhat Jesus can be playing as shit as they want to, but as long as they start the game they get a minimum of 75 mins to find their level. He even use to include Havertz in that circle of the "chosen", giving them all the trust and time in the world to raise their game .

But if Eddie, Trossard, Viera or anyone else starts a game badly their off without a second thought. If I as a fan can see he has favourites, how do we expect the players to feel. I've not even brought the Raya and Ramsdale example because its so glaring and pitiful!

He needs to stop pretending like he's being fair to players and should just admit to us that we all need to key in to his first 11 and go on our knees praying they have a good season or we get royally f**ked!

[Mac76]

Its not only resting Partey that irks me, it how its clear that no matter how shit some people play, Arteta will always prefer them and play them longer than he needs to. I mean why the hell does he have to wait to the 75th to 80th min to remove players that are clearly not up to it on the day.

For example, Trossard has started a few games this season, and I've noticed any game he starts where he doesn't have an effect within like 30 mins...he won't get a 2nd half. However, Saka, Odegaard, Martnelli and somewhat Jesus can be playing as shit as they want to, but as long as they start the game they get a minimum of 75 mins to find their level. He even use to include Havertz in that circle of the "chosen", giving them all the trust and time in the world to raise their game .

But if Eddie, Trossard, Viera or anyone else starts a game badly their off without a second thought. If I as a fan can see he has favourites, how do we expect the players to feel. I've not even brought the Raya and Ramsdale example because its so glaring and pitiful!

He needs to stop pretending like he's being fair to players and should just admit to us that we all need to key in to his first 11 and go on our knees praying they have a good season or we get royally f**ked!

This

[HCZ_Reborn]

Its not only resting Partey that irks me, it how its clear that no matter how shit some people play, Arteta will always prefer them and play them longer than he needs to. I mean why the hell does he have to wait to the 75th to 80th min to remove players that are clearly not up to it on the day.

For example, Trossard has started a few games this season, and I've noticed any game he starts where he doesn't have an effect within like 30 mins...he won't get a 2nd half. However, Saka, Odegaard, Martnelli and somewhat Jesus can be playing as shit as they want to, but as long as they start the game they get a minimum of 75 mins to find their level. He even use to include Havertz in that circle of the "chosen", giving them all the trust and time in the world to raise their game .

But if Eddie, Trossard, Viera or anyone else starts a game badly their off without a second thought. If I as a fan can see he has favourites, how do we expect the players to feel. I've not even brought the Raya and Ramsdale example because its so glaring and pitiful!

He needs to stop pretending like he's being fair to players and should just admit to us that we all need to key in to his first 11 and go on our knees praying they have a good season or we get royally f**ked!

Ultimately whilst I agree that he should rotate more and that these players you’ve mentioned don’t get pulled no matter what, I’d also argue that Jesus aside they are clearly the best players and should be the first teamers (by that I mean Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard).

So if he regards them as favourites it’s because they are probably the three best players in the team. But even then that comes with the caveat that Martinelli and Odegaard were pulled second half.

Saka I think it comes down to the fact as I said that there is no one else who can really play on the right…maybe as you said we should have gone for someone like Kudus instead of Havertz.

I know you don’t especially rate Odegaard but he is the best player in that no10 position and he’s the captain. So nine times out of ten I’d expect him to be playing over Vieira or Havertz

I also think Martinelli is just overall a better player than Trossard

However do I think players like Trossard should get more game time…yeah absolutely. Would love to see him start more games and stay on. Don’t really give a fuck whether Eddie starts or not, he had a good few opening games to the season but since then him and Jesus have been equally hopeless. Jesus annoys me because everything he did well once like sucking defenders in and making a general nuisance of himself even when he wasn’t scoring just isn’t there since he came back from that three month injury. At this point I’d rather give Havertz a go up front

Smith Rowe? I’d rather us sell him.


So I guess it comes down to, should we mix up the team more yeah absolutely. If we are playing our strongest XI in a game like today that should include Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka imo

[mandela8]

Its not only resting Partey that irks me, it how its clear that no matter how shit some people play, Arteta will always prefer them and play them longer than he needs to. I mean why the hell does he have to wait to the 75th to 80th min to remove players that are clearly not up to it on the day.

For example, Trossard has started a few games this season, and I've noticed any game he starts where he doesn't have an effect within like 30 mins...he won't get a 2nd half. However, Saka, Odegaard, Martnelli and somewhat Jesus can be playing as shit as they want to, but as long as they start the game they get a minimum of 75 mins to find their level. He even use to include Havertz in that circle of the "chosen", giving them all the trust and time in the world to raise their game .

But if Eddie, Trossard, Viera or anyone else starts a game badly their off without a second thought. If I as a fan can see he has favourites, how do we expect the players to feel. I've not even brought the Raya and Ramsdale example because its so glaring and pitiful!

He needs to stop pretending like he's being fair to players and should just admit to us that we all need to key in to his first 11 and go on our knees praying they have a good season or we get royally f**ked!

Solid posting this.

Jesus, White, Zinchenko, Saka and Jorginho are fuckin shit and should be nowhere near the team. I can understand Jesus holding a position because Eddie is probably overall worse but the rest are very replaceable with other squad members, even if it requires a bit of a reshuffle.